The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-09-21

unprotected. and would be entirely unaffected by
any change IN the tariff or at most very SLIGHTLY
90. The Standard OIL Company Offers case u
point; and the corporations which control thu
anthracite coal output offer another-for there Is
no duty whatever On anthracite coal.
am not discussing the question Of the tariff
fundamental differences between those who be-
lieye in a protective tar,n and those who be-
lieye In free trade: or from the standpoint OF
those who. while they believe IN a protective
tariff. feel that there could be a rearrangemens
OF our schedules. either by direct legislation or
by reciprocity treaties. which would result In en-
larxins our markets. nor yet from the standpoint
OF those who feel that stability OF policy Is at
the moment prime economic need. and that
the dement's TO be derived from any change In
schedules would not compensate for the damage
10 business caused by the Widespread agitation
which would follow any ATTEMPTED general re-
vision Of the tariff at this moment.
without regard to the wisdom of
any one of those three positions IL re-
mains true that the real evils con-
nected with the trusts cannot be REM
edied by any change I'm the tariff
laws.
The trusts can be damaged by de-
priving them of the beneats of . pro-
tective tariff, only ON condition of
damaging all their smaller competf-
tors, and all the waEe-workers em-
ployed In the Industry.
This point Is very important and II is desirable
TO avoid any save wtlful misinderStandinE-
am not now considering whether not. on
grounds totally unconnected with the trusts II
would be well to lower the duties various
schedules either BY direct legislation by lexs-
lation or treaties designed 10 secure as an or
set reciprocal advantages from the nations with
which we trade.
My point fs that changes in the tar
IN would have little appreciable ef-
feet ON the trusts, save M they shared
In the general harm or good proceed
ing from such changes.
No tariR change would help one of
our private Individuals in business,
stiIi less one of our waEeworkers, as
against . large corporation in the
same business. On the contrary, n IL
bore heavily ON the large corpora
tlon, if would inevitably be felt still
more by that corporations weaker
rivals, while my injurioas result
would of necessity be shared by both
the employer and employed In the
business concerned
Tie immediate Introduction Of substantial free
trade In all articles manufactured BY trusss-tha:
Is. by the largest and most successful corpora
tions-would no, affee; some OF the most power
full Of our business cOmonafioEs IN the least.
save by the damage done TO the general business
welfare OF the country.
LOSS DIVIDED.
Others would undoubtedly be seriously srected.
the loss would be divided between the capitalists
and the labo-ers: and alter the years OF panic
and distress had been lived through and some
return to prosperity had occurred. even though
all were on q lower pane OF prosperity than be-
fore the relative difference between the trusts
and their rivals wcu,d remain as marked as ever
In other, words. the trust. CT big corporation.
would have suffered relatively To- and In the IN
,erest Of Its foreign competitors. but Its reia-
tive position toward It's American competitors |
would probably be improved
ruttinE out or miafmising the evils |
In the trustsy nothing toward secur- !
Ing adequate control and regulation !,
of the large modern corporations.
In other words, the question Of reg |
uIntinE trusts with q view to mini i
mixtng or abolishfnG the evils exfst-
rnt I'm them II separate and apart /
from the question of tariff revision.
II might be better IL all the States could agree
tne<e corporations. but ! see not the slightest
prusr>ct Of such a-reeuent Therefore. ! Per
sonaily feel that ultimately the nation viii have
10 assume the responsibility OF regulating these
business.
The states must combine to meet I
he problem cansed by the great COM
inafions of capitals asd the easiest
way for the states to combine Is by
lcfion through the national Govern
nent.
1 wish TO repeat with all emphasfs
hat. desirable thosxh Il Il that the
aatIsn should have the power. Z sag-
rest Il 4. equally desirable that fe
Mould be used with wisdon sad self
reatraisf.
We ere nesther the frfesd sf the l
-seA 1aa ~ such nsr the friena II
he poer nan ~ sueh.
wx<,fs che fraesA = shs Asseee ae..