The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-12-04

power of the congress TO regulate COM
the several states through regulations
and requirements operating directly upon
such commerce. the instrumentalities
thereof and those engaged therein
/ earnestly recommend this subject TO the
consideration of the congress with view
To the passage OF law reasonable In its
provisions and effective in its operations,
upon which the questions can be finally
adJudicated that now raise doubts as to
the necessity OF constitutional amend
.ment. IL II prove impossible to accom-
plish the purposes above set forth by such
a law. then assuredy we should not
shrink from amen Ing the constitution so
as to secure beyond peradventure the
The congress has not heretofore made
any appropriation for the better enforce
ment Of the antitrust law as II now
stands. Very much has been done by the
department OF justice in securing the en-
foreement Of this law, but much more
special appropriation for this purpose, to
be expended under the direction OF the
attorney general
reduction of the tariff as a means OF
reaching the evils Of the trusts which fall
within the category l have described.
tive. but the diversion Of our efforts In
such direction would mean the aban-
donment Of all intelligent attempt to do
away with these evils. Many Of the lar
gest corporations. many Of those which
should certainly be included in any proper
scheme Of regulation. would not be af-
fected in the slightest degree by change
in the tariff save as such change inter-
fered with the general prosperity of the
country. The only relation OF the tariff
to big corporations as a whole is that the
tariff makes manufactures profitable and
the tariff remedy proposed would be in
effect simply to make manufactures un-
punitive measure directed against trusts
would inevitably result in ruin 20 the
weaker competitors who are struggling
Oflr a he mot hxr
unwise tariff changes to give foreign prod
ucts the advantage over domestic prod
mestic competition a fair chance, and
this end cannot be reached by any tariff
changes which would affect unfavorably
alike The question Of regulation of the
trusts stands apart from the question Of
tarin revision
Stability Of economic policy must al
ways be the prime economic need OF this
country. This stability should not be fos-
silization. The country has acquiesced
in the wisdom Of the protective tariff
that this system should be destroyed or
that there should be violent and radical
changes therein. Our past experience
shows that great prosperity in this coun-
try has always come under protective tar
III and that the country cannot prosper
under fitful tariff changes at short inter-
walls. Moreover, If the tariff laws as a
whole work wen and If business has pros
pered under them and is prospering. it is
better TO endure for a time slight incon-
veniences and inequalities in some sched-
ules than TO upset business by too quick
and too radical changes. 1t is most ear
nestly to be wished that we could treat
our business needs. 1t is. perhaps. too
much to hope that partisanship may be
sh s3cipaed S1 frem csn at & 9s
secondary to the business interests of the
country-that Is. to the interests OF our
people as a whole. unquestionab,y these
bfIs sfn N Vf he z
together with fxity Of principle as re-
CARDS the tariff we combine a system
which VIII permit us from o,,,e time to time IN Ito to
principle to the shifting national needs.
We must take scrupulous care that the
reapplication shall be made in such a way
that II will not amount to dislocation Of
our system. the mere threat OF which. not
to speak Of the performance. would pro-
OF the community. The frst considera-
ton In making these changes would, Of
course, be to preserve the principle which
the principle Of putting American busi-
ness interests at least on q full equality
18th sSsoaa and ID Of SsI al
than cover the difference between the
labor cost here and abroad. The well be-
Ing OF the waEeworker , IKE s,, the EEL vel be. s
treated as an essential In shaping our
whole economic policy. There must never
be any change which WIN jeopardi.e the
wages. Of the American wageworker.
One way In which the readjustment
sought can be reached Is by reciprocity
treaties. II Is greatly to be desired that
such treaties may be adopted They can
be used to widen our markets and to give
a greater field for the activities Of our
producers on the one hand. and on the
other hand to secure in practical shape
the lowering of dt ties when they are no
longer needed for protection among. our
own people or when the minimum of dam
age done may be disregarded for the sake
Of the maximum of good accomplished.
II 1t prove impossible to ratify the pend
warrant for the endeavor to execute 9TH
ers or to amend the pending treaties so
that they can be ratified. then the same
end-to secure reciprocity-should be met
by direct legislation.
Wherever the tariff conditions are such
that a needed change cannot with advan-
tage be made by the application Of the
reciprocity idea, then 1t can be made out
right by a lowering Of duties on a given
product II possible. such change should
be made only after the fullest considera-
tion by practical experts, who should ap-
proach The subject from business stand
point having In view both the particular
interests affected and the commercial we'll
being Of the people as a whole The ma
chinery for providing such careful inves-
tigation can readily be supplied. The ex-
ecutive depa artment has already at its
disposal methods Of collecting facts and
figures. and IL the congress desires addi-
tional consideration to that which will be
given the subject by its own committees.
then commission OF business experts can
be appointed whose duty 1t should be to
| recommend action by the congress after
q deliberate and scientific examination Of
the various schedules as they are affected
The unhurried and unbiased report Of this
commission would show what changes
should be made in the various schedules
and how far these changes could go with
O. n "a mo Ia
which this country Is now enjoying or
upsetting Its fixed economic policy.
The cases In which the tariff can pro-
duce monopoly are 80 few as to consti-
tute an uncomfortable factor In the Ques-
ton: but. OF course. II in any case 1t be
found that given rate Of duty does pro-
tectionist would object to such reduction
Of the duty as would equalize competition.
In my judgment. the tariff on anthracite
coal should be removed and anthracite
on the free list. This would have no effect
at all save In crises: but in crises 1t might
| be or service to- the people
Interest rates are a potent factor In
business activity. and in order that these
rates may be equalized to meet the vary
| Ing needs Of the seasons and of widely
recurrence Of financial strfngencies which
| injuriously affect legitimate business. II
is necessary that there should be an ele-
ment Of elasticity in our monetary sys-
| tenn. Banks are the natural servants OF
| commerce. and upon them should be
| placed, as far as practicable. the burden
Of furnishing and maintaining a circula-
ton adequate to supply the needs Of our
diversified industries and of our domestic
| and foreign commerce, and the issue Of
| this should be so regulated that a suff1-
cient supply should be always available
| for the business interests Of the country.
It would be both unwise and unneces-
| sary at this time to attempt to recon-
| struct our financial system. which has
been the growth OF century. but some
additional legislation is. think. desirable.
| The mere outline Of any plan sufficiently
| comprehensive to meet these requirements
| OF this communication. 1t is suggested,
| however that all future legislation on the