The Columbus journal., 1902-12-10


late commerce with foreign nations ani
among the several states through regu
lattons and requirements operating di.
rectly upon such commerce, the instru.
mentalities thereof. and those engaged
therein.
I earnestly recommend this subject tt
the consideration Of the Congress with q
view to the passage Of law reasonable
In Its provisions and effective in its oper-
atfons. upon which the questions can be
finally adjudicated that now raise doubts
as to the necessity OF constitutional
amendment. II II prove. impossible to ac-
compiish the purposes above set forth by
such a law. then. assuredly, We should
not shrink from amending the constitu-
tion as to secure beyond peradventure the
power sought.
The Tariff Question.
One proposition advocated has been the
reduction Of the tariff as a means of
reaching the evils Of the trusts which
fall within the category I have describ-
ed Not merely would this be wholly
ineffective. but the diversion Of our ef-
forts In such a direction would mean the
abandonment OF all intelligent attempt
to do away with these evils. Many OF
the largest corporations. many Of those
which should certainly be included in
any proper scheme OF regulation. would
not be affected in the slightest degree
by change in the tariff. cave AZ such
change interfered with the general pros-
perity OF the country. The only relation
OF the tariff to big corporations as a
whole is that the tariff makes manufac-
lures profitable. and the tariff remedy
proposed would be in effect simply TO
make manufactures Improbable To re-
move the tarin as punitive measure d.
rected against trusts would inevitably re-
suit In ruin to the weaker competitors
who are struggling against them. Our
aim should be not by unwise tariff
changes to give foreign products the
advantage over domestic products, but by
proper regulation to give domestic COM
petition fair chance: and this end can
not be reached by any tariff changes
which would affect unfavorably all do
nestle competitors. good and bad alike.
The question OF regulation Of the trusts
stands apart from the question OF tariff
revision.
FitfuI Tariff Changes Deeried.
Stability Of economic policy must al
ways be the prime economic need of this
country. This stability should not be
fossilization. The country has acquiesced
IN the wisdom OF the protective tariff
principle. 1t is exceedingly undesirable
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 a protective
tarin: and that the country cannot pros-
per under fitful tariff changes at short
intervals. MOreveH II the tariff laws
as whole work we'll. and II business
has prospered under them and is pros
pering. 1t is better to endure for a time
Svf fDh In
some schedules than to upset business
by too quick and too radical changes. II
Is most earnestly to be wished that we
could treat the tariff from the stand
point solely Of our business needs. IT Is.
perhaps. too much to hope that partisan
ship may be entirely excluded from con-
Of the subject, but at leas,
1t can be made secondary to the bust
ness interests Of the country-that il to
the interests Of our people as q whole.
CnQuestionably these business interests
VIII best be served II together with
fixity OF principle as regards the tariff
We combine a system which will permit
us from time to time to make the neces-
sary reapplication OF the principle to the
shifting national needs. We must take
scrupulous care that the reapplication
shall be made in such a way that II wiII
not amount to dislOcation of our sys
tenn. the mere threat of which (not to
speak OF the performance would pro-
duce paralysis In the business energies
OF the community. The first considera-
tion tn making these changes would. of
course. be to preserve the principle which
underlies our whole tariff system-that IN
the principle Of putting American bust
ness interests at least on a full equal
ity with interests abroad. and of always
a suffcient rate OF duty to more
than cover the difference between the Ia
bor cost here and abroad. The weli-be-
ing OF the wage-worker. like tho we'll
being OF the tiiler Of the soil. should
be treated as an essential in shaping our
whole economic policy. There must never
Of comfort. the standard Of
wages OF tie American wage worker.
For Reciprocity Treaties.
One way in which the readjustment
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 a greater field for the activities of
our producers on the one hand. ana on
the other to secure in practical shape
the lowering OF duties when they are no
longer needed for protection among our
own people. or when the minimum Of
damage done may he disregaried for the
sake OF the maximum Of good accom-
plished. II 1t prove impossible to ratify
the pending treaties. and II there seem
10 be no warrant for the endeayor to
execute Others. or to amend the pending
treaties 30 that they can be ratified. then
the same e1d-tO secure reciprocity
should be met by direct legislation.
For Expert Tariff Commission.
hAx h.
that q needed change cannot with a6-
be made by the application of
the reciprocity idea. then II can be made
outright by lowering Of duties on a
given product. II possible. such change
should be made only after the fullest
by practical experta Who
should approach the subject from
business standpoint having In view both
the particular interests affected ana the
commercial well-beinG OF the people. a
= whole. The machinery for providing
supplied. The executive department has
already At its disposal methods OF eol-
lectine facts and figures: and II the con-
kress desires additional consideration to
mat which will be given the subject bv
lts own committees. then q co.amissicn
of business experts can be appointed
whose duty It should be to recommend
S.sou " INC congress after q 0olibarate
md scientific examination Of the variou.
schedules a. they are affected bv the
changed and changing conditions. The
anhurried and unbiased report OF this
commission would show what ch.n.ee
should be made In the various schednie,
and how far these changes could 20
without also changing the great pros-
per1ty which this country Is now en1ov-
nS. or upsetting its fixed economic poi-
Icy.
The cases in which the tariff can nm.
luce . monopoly are 80 few as to con-
'titute an fnconsiderable factor in the
question: but OF course II in aov case
. De found that q given rate Of dutv
aoes promote monopoly which works
~, no protectionist would object to such
Eeoocuon OF the duty n would equalixe
IN my Judgment. the tariff on anthrn.
cite coal should be removed, and anthra.
eate put actually. where II nov A NOM.
lnaliy: on the free list. This would have
no enect At all save In crises: but IN
a,ses II might be Of service to the neo-
pie 'eo-
Monetary Legislation.
Intefess rates are . potent factor In
'osmeB activity. and In order that these
!ates may he equaii1ed to meet the vary-
ne needs OF the seasons and Of videIv
leparated Communities. and to preyent
he recurrence OF financial strineencies
which lnjar3ously affect legitimate husi-
3e6o. 1e u necessary that thera shouId