Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-12-03


not be fossilization. 1he country has
acquiesced In the wisdom OF the pro-
tective tariff principle. Ii is exceed.
ingly undesirable that this system
should be destroyed or that there
should violent and radical changes
therein. Our past experience shows
that great prosperity in this country
has always come under protective
tariff, and that the country cannot
prosper under fitful tariff changes at
short intervals. Moreover. ii the tar.
iii laws as a whole work well. and il
business has prospered under them
and is prospering. 1t is better to en-
dure for a time slight inconl eniences
and inequalities In some schedules
than to upset business by too quick
and too radical changes. II Is most
earnestly to be wished that we could
treat the tariff from the standpoint
solely of our business needs. II is.
perhaps. too much to hope that par
tisanship may be entirely excluded
from consideration of the subject, but
at least II can be made secondary
to the business interests Of the coun-
try-that is. to the interests Of our
people as a whole Unquestionably
these business interests will best be
served IL together with fixity of prin-
ciple as regards the tariff We com
bine a system which wall permit us
sary re-application Of the principle to
the shifting national needs. We must
take scrupulous care that the reap
plication shall be made in such way
that il will not amount to a disloca-
tion of our system, the mere threat
of which mot to speak OF the per-
formance) would produce paralysis
in the business energies of the com
munity. The first consideration in
making these changes would. of
course. be to preserve the principle
which underlies our whole tariff sys-
tem-that Is. the principle of putting
american business interests at least
on full equality with interests
abroad, and of always allowing a suf.
ficient rate of duty to more than COW
er tue difference between the labor
cost here and abroad. The well-being
of the wage-worker, like the well-be-
ing of the tiller of the soil, should be
treated as an essential In shaping our
whole economic policy. There must
never be any change which will jeop-
ardize the standard of comfort, the
standard Of wages Of the American
wage-worker.
Reciprocity Treaties.
One way in which the readjustment
sought can be reached Is by reciproc-
ity treaties. II is generally to be de-
sired that such treaties may be adopt
ed. They can be used to widen our
markets and to give greater field
for the activities of our producers on
the one hand, and on the other hand
to secure Ia practical shape the lover
ing of duties when they are no longer
needed for protection among our own
people, or when the minimum of dam
age done may be disregarded for the
sake of the maximum of good accom-
plished. II IL prove impossible to rat
ify the pending treaties, and If there
seem to be no warrant for the en-
deavor to execute others, or to amend
the pending treaties so that they can
be ratified, then the same end-to
secure reciprocity-should be met by
direct legislation.
Whenever the tariff conditions are
sucn that a needed change cannot
with advantage be made by the appi-
cation of the reciprocity idea. then II
can be made outright by "a lowering
o. duties on a given product. II pos.
sible. such a change should be made
only after the fullest consideration by
practical experts. who should ap-
proach the subject from business
standpoint, having In view both the
particular interests affected and the
commercial well-being of the people
as whole. The machinery for pro-
viding such careful investigation can
readily be supplied. The executive
department has already at its disposal
methods of collecting facts and fig
ures; and II the congress desires ad-
ditional consideration to that which
will be given the subject by It's own
committees, then a commission of bus
mess experts can be appointed whose
duty II should be to recommend ac-
tion by the congress after a deliberate
and scientific examination of the var
ious schedules as they are affected by
the changed and changing conditions.
The unhurried and unbiased report of
this commission would show what
changes should be made In the var.
ious schedules, and how far these
changes could go without also chang
ing the great prosperity which this
country is now enjoying. or upsetting
its fixed economic policy.
The cases in which the tariff can
produce a monopoly are so few as to
constitute an inconsiderable factor In
the question; but, of course, II in any
case il be found that a given rate OF
duty does promote monopoly which
works i'll, no protectionist would OBJ
Ject to such reduction Of the duty as
would equalize competition.
In my judgment, the tariff on an.
thracite should be put actually. where
IL now Is nominally on the free list
This would have no effect at all save
in crisis: but in crisis IL might be of
service 10 the people.
Several paragraphs are devoted to
the discussion OF the needs of more
expansive currency, but no positive
recommendation are made.
Labor and Capital.
How 20 secure fair treatment alike
for labor and for capital, how to hold
in check the unscrupulous man. wheth.
er employer or employe, without weak
ening individual initiative. without
hampering and cramping the indus
trial development OF The country, is
problem fraught with great diif-
cultles and one which Is of the
lt..L.. .,,,ror,anca IN aolvo -. n.