Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-21
SHAW DEFENDS
TARIFF LAW
IN SPEECH
SECRETARY OF TREASURY DE-
CLARES PROTECTIVE TARIFF
is NOT THE MOTHER OF THE
TRUSTS AND MONOPOLIES.

MORRISvILLE, VT, Aug. 2O.-Secre-
tary OF the Treasury Leslie NJ. Shaw, who
attended school at this place when a boy,
delivered an address here yesterday. The
secretary said:
ct have been quoted as opposed to re-
vision Of the tariff, 1 never have opposed
establishment of the tariff Whenever
congress reaches the conclusion that the
friends of protection are strong enough to
conservatively modify certain schedules
so as to meet changed conditions and at
the same time successfully resist the eff
forts of the opposition to revise the entire
tariff law, thus paralyzing business for
season, / am in favor of 1t.
II have expressed some doubt, however,
about the wisdom of instructing by resO-
buttons or exacting pledges from candi-
dates for congress, when the effect is IL
able to precipitate a protracted debate
with very uncertain results. 1 never have
seen the time, since 1 have given public
questions consideration, that / would not
reduce the rate on quite large number
Of items, nor when l would reduce the
rate on other items. It is not likely that
any member of the house ever voted for
a tariff bill entirely to his liking.
81 am willing to concede that conditions
change, but L will not admit that the
tariff is the mother of trusts, nor will 1
concede that a tariff for revenue only will
the fire in wheat fields would destroy
Canadian thistles.
1.-The protective tariff is not the mother
Of trusts, though it is the parent con-
dition that makes it profitable for capital
to combine, and genial for labor to organ
ize.
'The Republican party in my state re-
Gently reaffirmed the tariff platform OF
1901. This has caused considerable COM
ment. In the same way the memorable
speech of President Mckinley at Buffalo
has been misrepresented, misquoted, mis-
construed and lnisapplied. 1t declares n
favor of such conditions in 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?
''It also declares in favor of any modifi-
cation Of tariff schedules that may be re-
duired TO prevent their affording shelter
to monopoly There may be quite a rad
zeal difference of opinion as to the truth
Of the implied admission that the protec-
tive tariff does afford shelter to monopoly
but there would be no difference of opin-
ion about removing it If it would afford
shelter.
"A few days ago the butchers, in con-
vention assembled. declared In favor Of
aboIishing the tariff on cattle and meat
to the end that this supposed shelter for
the alleged meat trust might be removed.
Suppose we take the tariff off beef and
then suppose the herds of cattle from
Mexico and from South Africa 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 as now.
g hrrff hn aalr
ers could stand it. 1 happen to know that
at least one, and 1 understand two of the
big packing houses, have had men look
ing into the South American field for more
than two months. The farmer, as it is,
has ample reason to be apprehensive.
II think 1 can find reason for the pres
ent price of meat other other than the
protective tariff. 1 find that there were
received at the stock yards in Chicago in
one month of July, 1902, sixty-five thou
sand less beeves and one hundred and sew
enty thousand less hogs than in the same
month one year ago. That means 1000
less animals per day. The 20" road alone,
during the entire month, brought from
the southwest, where the corn crop was
a failure last year, 1000 less fat steers per
day than last,
LET no one understand this to be a
defense of the packers or an extenuation
Of their offenses. A suit is now pending
against them and IL the allegations of the
petitions are sustained (and that seems
probable) they are going to have trouble
and It will take very much more acute
form than ii would to say to the farmers
of the United States that the industry
shall be opened to competition from the
unlimited ranges Of South America"
The secretary appealed for the election
of republican representative and said:
''If they can agree upon one or a dozen
items in the present tariff schedule that
can be reduced, let it be done and done
without three months acrimonious de-
bate"