The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1902-10-04
TALKSONTHETARIFF
President Roosevelt Gives His Views
on That Issue.
says sweepins Changes Would Cer-
tainly he observation-disclosures Cor
rectioa of irregularities and
Expert Inquiry.

fresluent hOOseNelt spoke very PoAut-
eddy on the tariff, saying:
'The question Of combining such fixed
ness OF economic policy as regards the tar
IN, while at the same time allowing for q
necessary and proper readjustment OF
duties In particular schedules. as such re-
adjustment becomes a matter OF pressing
Importance, Is not an easy one. II Is per-
haps too much to expect that from the dis
cussion of such question It would be pos
sible wholly to eliminate political PARTISAN
ship. Yet those who believe, as veal must
when we think seriously Of the subject.
that the proper aim OF the party system IL
after all simply to subserve the public gooC.
cannot but hope that where such PARTISAN
ship on a matter OF this kind conflicts with
the public good II shall at least be mini
mized. What we really need In this coun-
try Is to treat the tarin as a business prop
osition, and not from the standpoint OF the
temporary needs Of any political party.
at surely ought not to be necessary to
dwell upon the extreme unwisdom, from a
business standpoint, from the standpoint OF
national prosperity. OF violent and radical
changes amounting to the direct upsetting
OF tariff policies at intervals OF every few
years. A nation like ours can. adjust It's
business after a fashion to any kind OF q
tariff But neither oursnatipn}nor any
other can stand the ruinous policy OF read
justing Its business to radical changes In
the tariff at short Intervals. This Is more
true now than ever 1t wasbefore for owing
to the immense extent and variety Of our
products the tariff schedules Of to-day car
ry rates Of duty on more than 100 articles.
Sweeping Changes Disastrous.
Continual sweeping changes In such q
tariff, touching SO Intimately the CONNER
cial interests of the nation, which stands as
one Of the two or three greatest In the
whole Industrial world, cannot but be dis
trous. Yet, on the other hand, where the
Industrial needs Of the nation SHIFT as rap
Idly as they do with us, II Is a matter OF
prime Importance that We should be able
to readjust our economic policy as rapidly
as possible and with as little friction az
possible to these needs.
1--WE need a scheme which will enable US
to provide a reapplication Of the principle
to the changed conditions. The problem.
therefore, Is to devise some plan by which
these shifting needs can be recognized. ana
the necessary read justment OF duties pro-
vided without forcing the entire business
community. and therefore the entire ma
ton, to submit to a violent surgical opera
ton, the mere threat of which. and stllI
more the accomplished fact Of which, would
probably paralyze for a considerable time
all the Industries Of the country. such rad
zeal action might very readily reproduce
the conditions from which we suffered nina
years ago, In 1898.
To Correct Irre& ularities.
Elm other words. we need to devise some
machinery by which, while perseverlng In
the policy Of a protective tariff. In which
think the nation as whole has now gen.
orally acquiesced. We would be able to core
rect the Irregularities and remove the In
congruities produced, by the changing con-
ditions without destroying the whole
structure Such machinery would permit
us to continue our definitely settled tarin
policy while providing for the changes In
duties upon particular schedules which
must inevitably and necessarily take place
from time to time as matters OF legislative
and administrative detail.
This would secure the needed stability
OF economic policy, which Is a prime factor
in our Industrial success, while doing away
with any tendency to fossflization. II
would recognize tho fact that as our needs
shift It may be found advisable to alter
rates and schedules, adapting them to the
changed conditions and necessities OF the
whole people; and this would be In no wise
incompatible with preserving the prir cipla
OF protection, for belief In the wisdom OF q
protective tariff Is in no way inconsdstent
with frankly admitting the desirability OF
changing set OF schedules when, from any
cause such change is In the interests or the
nation as a whole-and our tariff policy Is
designed to favor the interests of the ma
ton as a whole, and not those or any par
ticular set Of individuals, save as an incl
dent 10 their building up Of national we'll
being.
Favors Expert Inquiry. ,
"There are two or three different methods
by which II will be possible to provide such
read jus tment without any shock to the
business world. My personal preference
would be for action which should be taken
only after preliminary inquiry by and upon
the findings of a body OF experts of such
high character and ability that they could
be trusted to deal with the subject purely
from the standpoint Of our business and In
dustrial needs; but. Of course, congress
would have to determine for Itself the exact
method to be followed.
means for gathering most Of the necessary
data, and can act whenever It Is the desire
of congress that II should act. That the
machinery exists for turning out the policy
above outlined am very certain, II only
our people will make up their minds that
the health OF the community will be sub
served by treating the whole question
primarily from the standpoint Of the busi-
ness interests OF the entire country, rather
than from the standpoint of the fancied in
terests Of any group OF politicians.
"Of course. In making any changes. We
should have to proceed in accordance with
certain fixed and DEFINITE principles, and
the most important Of these Is an avowed
determination to protect the interests OF
the American producer be he business man.
wage worker. or farmer.
Must Protect Work ingmen-
''The one consideration which must never
be omitted In tariff change is the impera-
tive need ofpreserving the American stand
ARD OF living for the American workirgman.
The tariff rate must never fall below that
which will protect the American working
man by allowing for the difference between
the general labor cost here and abroad. SO
as to at least eaualze the conditions aris-
Ing from the difference In the standards OF
labor here and abroad--a difference which
II should be our aim to foster In so far as II
represents the needs Of better education.
better paid. better FED, and better clothed
workingmen Of higher class than any to
be found In a foreign country. At all has
ards, and no matter what else IL sought for
or accomplished by changer OF the tarin.
the American workingman must be pro-
tected In his standard Of wages. that Is. In
his standard Of living, and must be secured
fullest opportunity OF employment.
"Our laws should In no event AFFORD al
vantage to foreign Industries over Ameri-
can Industries. They should in ro event DO
less than equalixe the difference In the con-
ditions at home and abroad. The general
tariff policy to which, without regard to
changes IN detail, believe this country to
be irrevocably committed. II fundamentally
based upon ample recognition OF the differ
ence OF labor cost here and abroad. In other