The Tucson citizen., 1902-07-29
THIS Is The ISSUE.

Democrats everywhere should miss
no opportunity to call the attention OF
the people to the injustice and Unequal
tiles OF the tariff There is abundant
evidence that the present protective
tariff system enables the industrial
combines in the United States 10
exact much higher prices for their pro-
ducts from American consumers than
are obtained from foreign purchasers.
Representative Griggs, the chairman
Of the Democratic congressional com
mi'tee in a statement published IN The
the Dingley tariff works a monstrous
injustice to Americans. Mr.. Griggs
has come into possession of some of
the special discount sheets issued by
leading export houses. From these it
appears that the foreigner enjoys
many advantages which our industrial
combines are not willing to concede to
the tariff oppressed people of the
United States. Here are some of the
blessings which our brethren across the
Atlantic enjoy at the expense of the
Americans:
For a keg of wire nails the purchaser
in the United States is compelled to
pay $2.25. The foreigner can buy the
same quantity and quality of nails for
$130. The American price for a coil
of rope is $12. The foreigner can pur-
chase it for s.. For 81 our combine
will give the foreigner 100 pounds Of
lead; the American, however. must
pay 81. The man across the Atlantic
can buy dozen American shovels for
$3.50; the man in the United States
must pay $3.50. American wash
boards sell in Europe for $40 a doz-
en-; in the United States. for 50 doz-
en-. Our Tin-Plate Trust will sell
the European purchaser 100 pounds of
tin-plate for $3.50 When the Amer
lean buyer gives an order he must
pay the trust S4,19 hundred pounds.
The price of typewriters in the United
States is 500. in Europe $50. The
foreigner can buy an American sew
1ne machine for ST. The purchaser
in the United States must pay $40
Americans have to pay $4.25 for a
lawn mower. Our NapoleOns of In
dnStfV rnfinnClXy lo
to purchase a lawn mower for $275.
This is an abuse which American
consumers, who are heavily taxed to
maintain the high profits of the in
dustrial combines will not tolerate in
definitely. The Democratic leaders
are wise in making it an issue
IN the congressional elections this
year. The facts ought to be brought
nome to the people. and the founda-
ton laid for an effective campaign OF
education in the next Presidential
contest. The tariff issue and the
relations Of the trusts to the tariff
should be emphasized at every Oppor-
tunity. The platform adopted by
the Democratic National Convention
in 1904 should contain a declaration on
the subject so clear and explicit that
there will be no doubt of the party's
attitude toward system of taxation
which discriminates in favor of the
foreigner and against American buy
ers of American made goods 1t is
clearer now than ever before that pro
lection is only another name for extor-
uon. What possible justification can
be alleged for an economic system
which makes Americans pay nearly
twice as much for articles in common
use as the European buyer is asked to
pay? Why Should manufacturers in
the United States be granted the priv
ilege of exaeting tribute from consul
mers In this country so that they may
unload their surplus products on the
foreigner at ridiculously low prices
compared with what we are charged
Why, in fine, should Americans be
taxed excessively for the benefit of
Europeans who have trade relations
with our captains of industry?
The tariff issue affects the pocket
book OF every American. 1t is the