Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-04
THE TARIFF.
1t Is a Subject That stands Apart from
the Trusts.

reduction of the tariff as a means of reach
ing the evils OF the trusts which fall with
merely would this be wholly ineffective,
bur the diversion of our efforts in such a
direction would mean the abandonment of
these evils. Many, of the largest corpora
tons, many of those which should GER
tainIy be included in any proper scheme of
regulation; would not be atfectec. in the
| slightest degree by a change in the tariff,
save as such change ntertered with the
general prosperity of the country. The
lions as whole is that the tariff makes
manufactures profitable, and the tariff
| remedy proposed would be in effect simply
10 make manufactures Improbable. To
remove the tariff as a punitive measure
directed against trusts would inevitably re-
suit in ruin 10 the weaker competitors who
are strugglinS against them. Our aim
shoulG be not by unwise tariff changes to
give foreign products the advantage over
| ton to give domestic competition fair
| chance: an6 this ind cannot be reached by
any tariff changes which would affect un-
| favorably All domestic competitors, good
and bad alike The questiontof regulation
| of the trusts stands apart from the ques-
| ton of tariff revision
\ Stability of economic policy must always
| be the prime economic need OF this country
| This stability should rot be fossilization.
| of the protective tariff principle 1t is ex-
| ceeGing!y undesirable that this system
| Should be destroyed or that there should be
violent and radical changes therein our
past experience shows that great prosper
/ ity IN this country has always come under
a protective tariff; and that the country
| at short intervals. Moreover, If the tariff
| laws as a whole work well, ana If business
has prospered under them and is prosper
1 Ing, it is. better to endure for a time slight
| inconveniences and Inequalities in some
scneHuies than TO. upset business BY too
4 n hat ypfa -
the tariff from the standpoint solely of our
business reeds: 1t is, perhaps, too much to
eluced from consideration of the subject
but at least II can be mace secondary to
the business interests of the countrywide
Is, to- the interests of our people as a whole.
unquestionably these business interests
will best be served if together with tixltv
Of principle as regards the tariff we COM
time to tins. to make the necessary reap
piicauon of the principle to the shifting ra-
uona neeGs We must take scrupulous
care that the reapplcation shall be made
In such way that it Will not amount to
a alstoc ca .,,, OF our system tbs. mere
t threat 81 which mot TO speak OF the per-
business energies of the community. The
iirst {, consideration in making these changes
clple which underlies our whole tariff sys-
tem-that is, the principle of putting Amer
lean b, interests at least on full
4 ways GLOWING a sufficient rate of Guty 10
more than cover the difference between The
labor cost here ano abroad. The well-be-
iEg of the wage-wnrker Ike the well-Ee-
ing of the tiller of the soil. shoulG Ne treat-
eo as an essential in shaping our whole
economic policy. There must never be any
change which will ieopardize the standard
American wage-worker
one way in which the readjustment
sought can be reached is by reciprocity
treaties. It is greatly 10 be des;rad 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 to secure In practical shape the
longer needed for protection among orr
own people or when the minimum Of
damage done may be d.sregarded for the
sake of the maximum of good ACCOM-
plished If it prove impossible TO ratisv
the pending treaties. and If there seen
to be no warrant for the endeavor ia
execute others. or to amend the pending
IRE es so tn maj thoy can be ratified hen
should be met by direct legislation
Need of n Tariff Commission.
!, Wherever the tariff conditions are such
, vantage be made by the appiica ton o!
the reciprocity idea then It can be made
outright by lowering of duties on
given product. If possible, such chang,
! consideration by practical experts, VIII,
should approach the subject from a bust
, ness standpoint. having in view both TIL,
!, particular interests affected and the com
whole. The machinery for providing sucl
! careful! investigation can readily be sup
piled. The executive department has al
,, ready at Its disposal methods of collect
ing facts and figures; and II the con
gress desires additional consideration t
b