The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1902-12-06
THE TARIFF.
II Is n Subject That stands Apart from
the Trusts.

one proposition advocated has been the
reduction Of the tariff as means Of reach
ing the evils OF the trusts which fall with
In the category ! have described. Not
merely would this be wholly fseffective,
but the diversion OF our efforts, in such a
all intelligent attempt TO 60 away with
these evils: Mary OF the largest corpora
items; mary OF those which should GER ;
regulation, would not be affected In the
slightest degree by a change in the tariff.
general prosperity OF the country The
only relation OF the tariff to big corpora
lions as a whole Is that the tariff makes
remedy proposed would be in effect simply
to make MANUFACTURES Improbable. TO
remove the tariff as punitive measure
suit In ruin to the weaker competitors who
are struggling against them Our aim
| shoulc be not by uEwise tariff changes to
| domestic products. but by proper regula-
| ton to give domestic competition a fair
chance: ard this end cannot be reached by
favorably all domestic competitors. good
and bad alike. The question of regulation
OF the trusts stands apart from the ques-
Stability OF economic policy must always
be the prime economic need of this country.
This s0bihty should rot be fossiiization.
of the protective-tarir principle. 1t is ex-
ceecangly undesirable that this system
shSad be and raSs hs there houe be
past experience shows that great prosper
lily In this country has always come under
cannot prosper under fitfui tariff changes
at short Intervals Moreover, II the tariff
laws as a whole work well, and II business
Ing Il IS better to endure for tme sight
inconveniences ane inequalities In some
schedules than to upset business by too
earnestly to be wished that we could treat
the tarin from the standpoint solely of our
business reeds; II Il. perhaps. too much to
Guided from consideration Of the subject.
but at least II can be mace secondary to
the business interests of the country-that
Unquestionably these business interests
Will best be served II together with fixity
OF principle as regards the tariff we com
time 10 time to make the necessary reap
plication OF the principle to the shifting, ma
tonai neeGs: We must take scrupulous
In such way that 1t win not amount to
a, disioeaatlon Of our SYSTEM the mere
woud 10 q tse In
business energies OF the community The
first consideration In making these changes
con 81 SSourse be to the prn-
tem-that Is, the principle of putting Amer
lean business interests at least on full
ways allowing a sufficient rate Of duty to
more than cover the difference between The
labor cost here and abroad: The well-be-
ing Of the tiller of the soil, should be treat
cd as an essential In shaping our whole
economic policy. There must never be any
| OF comfort, the standard OF wages of the
American wage-worker.
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 to secure In practical shape the
lowering OF duties when they are no
own people, or when the minimum OF
damage done may be disregarded for the
s Sase OF ne maximum maxim IN, OF good accom-
the pending treaties. and II there seem
to be no warrant for the endeavor to
execute others. or to amend the pending
the same end-to secure reciprocity
should be met by direct legislation.
Need OF Tariff Commixsion.
Wherever the tariff conditions are such
that needed change cannot with ad-
vantage be made by the application OF
outright by lowering of duties on
given product. IL possible such chang,
should be made only after the fulles
should approach the subject from a bust
ness standpoint, having in view both tn,
particular interests affected and the com
mercial well-being OF the people as ,
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 fgures: and II the con
! gress desires additional consideration &
that which will be given the subject b,
It's own committees. then a commission
, OF business experts can be appointe
whose duty 1t should be to recommen
, action by the congress after a deliberat
, and scientific examination OF the variou
schedules as they are affected by tn
changed and changing conditions. TIL
unhurried and unbiased report OF thi
commission would show what change
should be made In the various schedule,
and how far these changes could &
without also changing the great pros
perity which this country Is now enjoy
Ing, or upsetting Its fixed economic POI
icy.
The cases In which the tariff can pre-
duce n monopoly are so few as to cor
, stitute an inconslderable factor In th
, question: but of course IL In any cas-
. Il be found that given rate OF dut
does promote n monopoly which work
Ill. no protectionist would object to sue
, reduction OF the duty as would equaliz
/ competition.
. In my Judgment. the tariff on anthra
cite coal should be removed, and anthra
cite put actually where II now Is nom
|, inally, on the free list This would hav
no effect at all save In crises: but !