The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-23
Tariff Revision and Reciprocity
"HE FIGHT which the Ameri-
can Protective Tariff league
Il is making, through It's organ,

/
maintains in New York city, against
further consideration of measures Of
reciprocity, Cuban or otherwise, re-
wolves around the assertion that recip-
rocity and protection are Incompatible; {;
| that to establish the former necessar-
| lily involves the latter's sacrifice.
Since his dismissal as appraiser of
the port of New York. Wilbur F.Wake-
| man, the leagues general secretary and
| treasurer, has been doubly active in OPP
posing President Roosevelt's pro-
gramme with regard to Cuba; and the
Economist these days bristles with at
tacks upon the national administration.
Back of reciprocity stalks tariff re-
| vision; and ii Is only natural that an
organization composed almost wholly
| of special beneficiaries of the present
tariff, men with business interests ad-
justed to the prevailing rates, and for
the greater part very prosperous and
profitable under those rates, should
view with alarm the possibility of any
| changes.
But reciprocity in itself involves no
| such possibility. 1t contemplates the
stimulation of international trade in
non-compettive articles by mutual
concessions. In SO far as Cuban recip-
rocity is concerned, it contempates
giving to Cuban producers of sugar
and tobacco-staples that we need and
cannot wholly supply at home-special
tariff advantages in exchange for cor
responding reductions at Cuban ports
of entry on manufactured exports from
this country. Its theory is that
prosperous and contented Cuba, selling
freely the yields of it's fertile planta-
tions, will constitute a better market
for American products than a Cuba
just barely existing.
Tariff revision, which Is another mat
ter. is inevitable sooner or later Con-
gress was wise not to undertake it
during the recent session. 1t had not
the time to do justice to the subject,
in conjunction with the many other
pressing demands upon it's time and
attention; and, moreover, there was
no real call for such revision. With
prosperity at flood tide, it is mani
testify wise not to undertake doubtful
experiments. In course of time, how
ever, trade conditions will change, and
schedules satisfactory today will here
after become superhuous or burden
some. 1t is not crime against pro-
lection to give thought to the period
when new adjustments of our tariff
c will i,,Ii I,lo 10, tl,o
successful prosecution of American in
dustry; nor are the paramount inter-
ests those cOmprehended within the
American Protective Tariff league, but
rather. the general interests of the
American people, and particularly the
interests and highest welfare of the
great body of American wage-earners.
In advocating reciprocity, both as
special and urgent policy with regard
to Cuba, and as a general measure for
the profitable extension of American
markets, President Roosevelt is simply
discharging an inheritance from the
ablest of protectionsts and the most
successful of Republican presidents,
William Mckinley. The last public
communication OF that great statesman
to his party following and to his coun-
trymen of all party beliefs, a message
hallowed by the tragedy which so soon
followed, was an eloquent and impress
sive admonition that the time had been
reached in the development of our in
dustrial system when the preservation
of our home market seemed well as
sured and when 1t was wise to look
outward to the wider placing of sur
plus products in foreign markets, there
by relieving home congestion and guar
anteeng the steadier employment of
labor. with all that this means in our
economic and social life.
We believe that however perplexing
may be the adjustment of details in
reciprocity programme, the Mckinley
policy, now also the Roosevelt policy,
has already obtained the approval of
a majority of the American people. We
also believe that should the ultra high
tariff influences within the Republican
party, those men who lose sight of the
larger ultimate good through their en-
grossment in immediate special bene-
fits, court division in party alignment
by opposing the natural party leader
ship, they will, after the battle, be it
brief or long, emerge discomfted. We
live in an age of progress, and of ex-
pansion. Successful craftsmanship must
take notice OF changing conditions.
Tariff revision and trace enlargement
belong of right under Republican SUI
pervision. Bourbonistic resistance with
in the party would simply invite the
peril of Democratic restoration, which
history teaches is the costliest misfor-
tune that could befall our country.