Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1902-12-06
THE TARIFF.
1t In Subject That Stands Apart from
the Trusts.

1t II a Subject That Stands Apart from
the Trusts.
One proposition advocated has been the
reduction OF the tarim means of reach
in the category I have described Not
merely would this be wholly ineffective,
direction would mean the abandonment of
All Intelligent attempt to do away with
these evils. Many, of the, largest corpora
tainly be included in any proper scheme of
regulation, would not be. affected in the
save as such change interfered with the
general prosperity of the country. The
only relation of the tariff to big corpora
tions as a whole is that the tariff makes
manufactures profitable, and the tariff
remedy proposed would be in effect simply
to make manufactures Improbable. TO
remove the tariff as a punitive measure
directed against trusts would inev bly, re-
suit In ruin to the eaker competitors who
are struggling against them. Our aim
should be not by Unwise tariff changes to
domestic products, but by proper regula-
ton to give domestic competition a fair
any tariff changes which would affect un-
faVorably all domestic competitors. good
ard bad alike. The question Of regulation
OF the trusts stands apart from the ques-
ton of tariff revision.
Stability of economic policy must always
be the prime econ Onlic need of this country
This stability should not be fossilization.
The country has acquiesced in the wisdom
of the protective-tarif principle. It is ex-
ceeoingly undesirable that this system
should be destroyed or that there should be
violent and radical changes therein. Our
past experience shows that great prosper
lty In this country has always come under
cannot prosper under fitful tariff changes
at short intervals. Moreover if the tarfff
laws as a whole work well. an6 if bnsine Sc
has prospered under them and is prosper
ing, it is better to endure for a time slight
Inconvenience and inequalities in some
quick ana too radical changes It is most
earnestly to be wished that we could treat
business needs 1t is, perhaps. too mich r.
hope that partisanship may be entirely ex-
cluoed from consideration of the subject
but at least it can be made secondary to
the business interests of the country-that
UnquestionabIy these business interests
Will best be served if together with fixity
Of principle as regards the tariff we COM
bine a system which will permit US from
time to time to make the necessary reap
Plication OF the Principle to the shifting ma
care that the reappMcation shall be MADE
In such way that it will not amount to
threat Of Which mot to SPEAK of me the mere mere
tormance) would produce paralysis in the
business energies Of the community. The
hrst considera ton in making these changes
would. of course, be to preserve the prin-
ciple which un6erlies our whole tariff sys-
lean business interes-s at least on full
equality with interests abroad, and Of al
more than cover the difference between The
Ia Dor cost here anc abroad. The welI-be-
ing of the tiller of the soil, should be treat
eG as an essential in shaping our whole
change which will jeopardize the standard
OF comfort, the STANDARD of wages of the
One way in which the reimbursement
sought can be reached is by reciprocity
treaties. 1t is greatly to be desired that
such treaties may be adopted. 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 to secure in practical shape the
lowering of duties when they are no
own people or when the riniToI3g$,, OUT oF
damage done may be disregarded for the
sake or the maximum of good accom-
the pending treaties. and if there seem
to be no warrant for the endeavor to
treaties so that they can be ratified, then
the same end-to secure reciprocity
should be met by direct legislation.
Need of a Tariff CommisSiOn.
Wherever the tariff conditions are such
vantage be made by the application of
the reciprocity idea, then it can be made
outright by lowering of duties on a
! given product If possible. such change
should be made only after the fullest
! should approach the subject from bust
/ ness standpoint, having in view both the
particular interests affected and the COM
whole. The machinery for providing such
| careful investigation can readily be sup
4
ready at its disposal methods of collect
/ ing facts and figures; and If the con-
| greSS desires additional consideration to
! that which will be given the subject by
| its own committees. then a commission
of business experts can be appointed
whose duty it should be to recommend
action by the congress after a deliberate
and scientific examination OF the various
| schedules they are affected by the
| changed and changing conditions. The
! unhurried and unbiased report OF this
commission would show what changes
| should ne nj
and how far these changes could &c
| without also changing the great pres
perity which this country is now enjoy
ing. or upSetting its fixed economic pol
! icy.
! The cases in which the tariff can pro-
| duce a monopoly are so few as to con
| stitute an inconsiderable factor in the
question; but Of course IL in any case
It be found that given rate Of duty
does promote a monopoly which works
| i'll. no protectioniSt would object to such
! reduction of the duty as would equalizt
| competition
In my Judgment. the tarin on anthra-
cite coal should be removed, and anthra.
cite put actually, where IL now Is nom
! inally. on the free list. This would have
no effect at all save in crises; but II