Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-03

~ seveI.i stetes through regulation
thereof and those engaged therein.
earnestly recommend this subject to the
70 the passage Of law reasonable in Its
provisions and effective in its operations
upon which the questions can be finally
, the necessity of constitutional amend.
ment. If 1t prove impossible to accom-.
piisn lhe purposes aboye set forth by such
shrink from amending the constitution SC
as to secure beyond peradventure the
power sought.
The congress has not heretofore made
any appropriation for the better enforce
ment of the antitrust law as it now
stands. Very much has been done by the
forcement Of this law, but much more
could be done If congress would make a
special appropriation for this purpose to
o Ot expended under the direction Of the
One proposition advocated has been the
REDUCTION of the tariff as a means of
within the category l have described
Not merely would this be wholly ineffee.
tive tive, but the diversion of our efforts in
s donn oi nf III Would mean the aban
away with these evils. Many of the lar
gest corporations many of those which
snpnld certainly be included in any proper
fiected In the slightest degree by change
IN the tariff, save as such change inter-
c ernu win TN Inc general prosperity Of the
70 pig corporations as a whole is that the
ttarln makes manufactures profitable. and
ne tarin remedy proposed would be in
eiIeet simply to make manufactures un-
profitable. To remove the tariff as q
punitive measure directed against trusts
would inevitably result In ruin to the
weaker competitors who are struggling
against them. Our aim should be not by
unWise tariff changes to give foreign prod
ucts the advantage over domestic prod
ucts. Dut by proper regulation to give do
meg competition fair chance, and
TINS END cannot be reached by any tariff
changes which would affect unfavorably
alike. The question of regulation of the
trusIs stands apart from the question Of
tariff revision.
Stability. Of economic policy must al
country This stability should not be fos-
siliization: The country has acquiesced
principle. 1t is exceedingly undesirable
that this system should be destroyed or
that there should be violent and radical
there Our past experience
try has always come under protective tar
III and that the country cannot prosper
under under ftful tariff changes at short inter
whole work we'll and If business has pros
pered under them. and is prospecting. it is
better to endure for a time slight incon-
ules than to upset business by too quick
and too radical changes. 1t Is most ear
1 nIestly te be wished that we could treat
our business needs. 1t is, perhaps, too
much to hope that partisanship may be
entirely excluded from consideration of
secondary to the business interests of the
country-that is. to the interests of our
people as a whole. uJnquestionably these
together with fYitV of nrinPin1p
CARDS the tariff we combine a system
which will permit US from time to time to
principle to the shifting national needs.
We must take scrupulous care that the
reapplication shall be made in such a way
that 1t will not amount to dslocation of
our system. the mere threat of which, not
to speak of the performance would pro-
duce PARALYSIS IN the business energies
hs In %aRns those r eans ss %od Ct
course, be to preserve the principle which
underlies our whole tariff system-that is.
the principle of putting American bust
with interests abroad and Of always al
lowing sufficient rate of duty to more
than cover the difference between the
Ing of the wageworker, like the we'll be-
ing OF, the tiller Of the soil, should be
treated as an essential in shaping our
be any change which will jeopardize the
wages. Of Of the tn american american wagewsrkeT.
sought can can be reached is is BY reciprocty
treaties. 1t is greatly to be desired that
such treaties may be adopted. They can
a greater field for the activities Of our
producers on the one hand. and on the
other hand to secure in practical shape !
onger needed for protection among our
own people or when the minimum of dam
age done may be disregarded for the sake |
L it tI prove Impossible 10 ratify the pend
ng treaties and II there seem to be no |!
for the endeavor to execute 9TH |
or n to smena t 4s then r tss ss se
snd-to secure reciprocity-should be met |,
~ direct legislation. !
Wherever the tariff conditions are such /
hat needed change cannot with advan-
eciprocity idea. then 1t can be made out
light by a lowering Of duties on given !
product. If possible, such change should
70 made only after the fullest considera-
roach the subject from business stand
'oint. having in view both the particular
interests affected and the commercial well
icing Of the people az whole The ma
hinery for providing such careful inves-
igation can readily be supplied. The ex-
cutive department. has already at its
isposal methods OF collecting facts and
cures, and IL the congress desires add
ional consideration to that which will be
iven the subject by its own committees,
hen commission Of business experts can
70 appointed whose duty 1t should be to
commend action by the congress after
deliberate and scientific examination of
he various schedules a. they are affected
v the changed and changing conditions.
he unhurried and unbiased report of this
commission would show what changes
hould be made in the various schedules
nd how far these changes could go with
ut also changing the great prosperity
vhich this country Is now enjoying or
psetting its fixed economic policy.
The cases in which the tarih can pro-
uce a monopoly are SO few as to consti-
ute an inconsiderable factor in the ques-
ION: but, of course, II in any case 1t be
ound that a given rate of duty does pro-
tote a monopoly which works III, no pro-
sctionist would object to such REDUCTION
the duty as would eQualiEe competition.
In my judgment, the tariff on anthracite
Gal should be removed and anthracite
ut actually, where 1t now Is nomtnally.
n the free list. This would have no effect
t all save In crises; but in crises 1t might
e Of service to the people.
Interest rates are potent FACTOR IN
usiness activity. and in order that these
ates may be equaliEed to meet the vary
n needs of the seasons and OF widely
eparated communities, and to prevent the
ecurrence Of financial stringencies which
1juriously affect legitimate business, 1t