Evening star., 1902-08-19
SHAW ON THE TARIFF
Secretary Of Treasury in
Favor of Revision,
BUT NOT FREE TRADE
DOES NOT BELIEVE TARIFF FoS-
TIERS TRUSTS.
Cites Instances Where the Latter Are
Independent of Protective
Measures.

anu IISlSiDOIS mere luiS 11iS
subject was: Tariff Readjustment. He
spoke follows:
Secretary Shaw said: 'I have been quoted
as opposed to revision of the tariff. I
have never opposed readjustment of the
tariff. Whenever Congress reaches the
conclusion that the friends of protection
are strong enough to conservatively modi-
fy certain schedules so as to meet changed
conditions and at the same time success
fully resist the efforts of the oppo-
sltton to revise the entire tariff law,
thus paralyzing business for a sea-
son, l am in favor of it. 1 have expressed
some doubt, however about the wisdom of
lnstructing by resolutions, or exacting
pledges from candidates for Congress,
when the effect is liable to precipitate
protracted debate with very uncertain re-
suits. There ought to be some more tangi-
Die reason for such a dangerous eXpedient
than the existence of a sentiment in GER
tain localities, now as always, that de-
mandS a reduction of the tariff on articles
there consumed and not produced, while it
stands ready to fight to finish any re-
duction on the things 1t produces. I for
one must have very bitter and relentless
enemy before L will consent to carry yell
low fever germs into my home town
Don't misunderstood me; 1 am not COM
pairing the readjustment of a schedule here
and there to an epidemic. But 1 do de-
clare there has never been a revision of
the tariff in the interest of free trade or
for revenue only, that has not proven as
fatal to business as the plaques of Egypt.
Would Change Existing Schedules.
Il have never seen the time, since 1 have
given public questions consideration that
would not reduce the rate on quite a
large number of items, nor when 1 would
not increase the rate on other items. 1t is
not likely that any member of either house
of Congress ever voted for tariff bill en-
tirely to his liking, nor is it probable that
any President ever signed a bill that lie
would not have changed in some partic-
ular had it been in his power. l am willing
to concede that conditions change, and that
the old Morrell bill of the sixties. for i'll
stance, when the country was involved in
war, would not be appropriate for us now,
but L will not admit that the tariff Is the
mother of trusts, nor will 1 concede that
any trust owes its existence to the protec-
tive principle. Neither will / concede that
tariff for revenue only will destroy trusts
on any other theory than that fire in
wheat field will destroy Canada thstlas
business depression disspates both or
ganized and unorganized capital. Enforced
idieness means financial ruin to individuals
to business firms and to corporations both
great and small. On the contrary business
prosperity inspires hopefulness 1t en-
courages the individual to reach out, to ex-
pand, to buy more land, more houses, more
cattle, to erect more stores, build more
shops and to embark in new enterprises.
1t leads to the organization of corporations
1t inspires both dreams of greatest things
ana the consummation of gigantic enter
prises- 1t leads to the combination of cap
ital and the organization of labor.
Effect of Hard Times.
Organized capital dissipates and labor
unions perish with the approach of hard
times, whatever the cause. Does any one
suppose that the anthracite coal miners
could be kept together if there were a
million men out of employment and their
families begging bread? Will any one con-
tend that they could be sustained were it
not for great army of bitumnous coal
miners who are receiving such compensa-
tion as enables them to contribute a dollar
week for the maintenance of their
brethren? The protective tariff is not the
mother of trusts, though it is the parent
OF conditions that make it profitable for
capital to combine and congenial for labor
to organize.
The republican party In nv state re-
Gently reaffirmed the tariff platform of 1901
IhiS has caused considerable comment. 1t
has been misrepresented not quite as per-
sistenty, but in the same way that the
memorable speech of President Mckinley
at Buffalo has been misrepresented mis-
quoted, mlsconstrued and misapplied This
platform was unanimously adopted both
years. Its statements are academically
correct. Every man in the United States
republican and democrat, believes in the
truth of its utterances. 1t declares in
favor of such changes in the tariff from
time to time as become advisable through
the progress of our industries and their
changing relations to the commerce of
the world. Is there any one who is not in
favor of such changes in the tariff from
time to time as are advisable? / am will
ing the jury shall be polled on that prop
osition. So say We all. 1t also declares in
favor OF any modification of tariff sched-
ules that may be required to prevent their
aflording shelter to monopoly And, again,
so Ava eir
There may be quite a radical difference
of opinion as to the truth of the implied
admission that the protective tariff does
AFFORD shelter to monopoly but there would
be no difference of opinion about removing
it II 1t did afford such shelter.
What the Butchers Want.
A few days ago, in convention assembled.
the butchers declared in favor of abolish
ing the tariff on cattle and meat, to the
end that this supposed shelter for the al
legged meat trust might be removed; but I
am disposed to think the good farmers of
my state will vote quite unanimously
against such an experiment. BY the trend
of the speeches made at the butchers con-
Vention l discovered a sentiment well nigh
universally expressed there that meat is
being monopolized by the great packers
But happen to have a tenant out in Iowa
who has fine bunch of fat cattle. ON
which no packer holds lien of any kind
anu lie writes me tnat ne is willing to sell
them to the butchers If they will paw as
much as the packers offer. l am quite sure
the people would quite as soon buy this
meat from the butchers as from the pack
ers. Thus there is afforded splendid on
portunity for anyone to make all kinds of
money If he will but give the farmer as
much money for his beeves and give the
people as much beef for their money.
But suppose we take the tariff off beef
ana then suppose the herds of cattle from
Mexico and South America are brought in
by the hundred thousand. They will find
their way to the stock yards, and the
butchers will be compelled to bid against
the packers then now. No. the remnvai
of the tariff on live stock and meat wo,Id
not restore the butchers to business. II
might ruin the farmers, but the packers
could stand 1t: for nothing less than or
ganized capital could enter the import meat
business with packing houses in forejen
countries, refrigerating ships and other ex
pensive equipment. I happen to know that
at least one, and, 1 understand. two of
the big packing houses, have had men Ioois-
ing into the South American field for more
than two years. The farmer, as II Is. has
ample reason to be apprehensive.
Cause Of High Meat.
have taken occasion to look this mat.
ter up since reading Of these resolutions.
nd tptr Al