The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1902-12-11

OF the trusts stands apart from the uues-
tion of tariff revision.
CONCERNING THE TARIFF.
Fitful and Radical Changes Declared
Undesirable.
Stability of economic policy must al
ways be the prime economic need of this
country. This stability should not be fos-
silization. The country has acquiesced in
the wisdom of the protective tariff prin-
ciple. 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 n protective
tariff; and that the country cannot pros
per under fitful tariff changes. at short
intervals. Moreover, if the tariff laws
as whole work well. and if busin ,ss
has prospered under them and is pros
pering. it is better TO endure for a time
slight Inconvenience and inequalities in
some schedules than to upset business by
too quick and too radical changes. 1t is
most earnestly to be wished that We
could treat the tariff from the standpoint
solely of our business needs. Unqucstion-
ably these business interests will best be
served if together with fixity of principle
as regards the tariff we combine a sys-
TEN which will permit us from time to
time to make the necessary 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 it will not amount to n
dislocation of our system. the mere threat
Of which mot to speak of the perform
ance) would produce paralysis in the
business energies of the community. The
first consideration in making these
changes would, of course, be to preserve
the principle which underlies our whole
tariff system-that is. the principle of
putting American business interests at
least o.. full equality with interests
abroad. and of always allowing a sufii-
cient rate of duty to more than cover
the difference between the labor cost here
and abroad. The well-being of the wage
worker. like the well-being of the tiller of
the SOIL should be treated as an essential
in shaping our whole economic policy.
There must never be any change which
will jeopardize the standard of cumfort.
the standard of wages of the American
wage worker.
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. If it prove
impossible to ratify the pending treaties.
and IL there seem to be no warrant for
the endeavor to execute others. or to
amend the pending treaties so that they
can be ratified. then the same end-to
secure reciprocity-should be met by di-
rect legislation.
Advocates a Tariff Commission.
Wherever the tariff conditions are such
that a needed change cannot with adyan-
tage be made by the application IF the |
reciprocity idea, then it can be made cut |
right by a lowering of duties on n given |
product. If possible. such change sliould |
be made only after the fullest considera- |
tion by practical experts, who should !
the subject from a business
having in view both the par /
ticular interests affected and the CONNER
cial well-being of the people rs a whole. |
The machinery for providing such careful
can readily he supplied. The I
executive department has already ut its 1
methods of collecting facts and |
figures; and if the Congress desires addi-
tional consideration to that which viii be |
given the subject by its own committees.
then a commission of business experts |
can be appointed whose duty it should be /
To recommend action by the Congress af-
ter a deliberate and scientific examina-
ton of the various schedules as they are
affected by the changed and changing
conditions.
The cases in which the tariff can pro-
iluce a monopoly are SO few as TO consti-
tute an inconsiderable factor in the ques-
to the fundamental rules Of obedience TO
the law, Of Individual freedom. and of JUS
ehould remember that in addition to power
1t must strive nfter the realization OF
healthy. lofty. and generous ideals.
Every employer. every wage-worker. must
do US he likes with his property or his IT.
bor so long as he does not infringe upon
the rights Of others. All that We have n
right TO ask Of any man, rich or poor. what
ever his creed. his occupation. his birth
place, or his residence. is that he shall act
well and honorably by his neighbor and by
his country.
We are neither for the rich man as such
nor for the poor man as such; We are for
the upright man, rich or poor. So far as
the constitutional powers OF the national
and vital moment to the nation. they should
be exercised In conformity with the prlncl-
pies above set forth.
Secretary of Commerce.
1t is earnestly hoped that u Secretary of
Commerce may be created. with a seat In
the cabinet. The rapid multiplication of
questions affecting labor and capital, the
growth and complexity of the organizations
through which both labor and capital ROW
hnd expression, the steady tendency toward
the employment Of capital In huge corpora
lions. ana the wonderful strides OF this
toward leadership In the interna-
lional business world Justify an urgent de-
mand for the creation Of such q position.