The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1902-12-04
THE TARIFF.
II Is n Subject That stands Apart from
the Trusts.

reduction of the tariff as a means OF reach
sing the evils of the trusts which fall with
In the category / have described. Not
merely would this be wholly ineffective,
but the diversion of our efforts In such a
direction would mean the abandonment OF
AZ Intelligent attempt to do away with
lions, many of those which should GER
tainly be included in any proper scheme OF
regulation, would not be affected In the
slightest degree by a change In the tarif,
save as such change interiered with the
general prosperity of the country. Tht
only relation of the tariff to big corpora
lions as a whole Is that the tariff makes
manufactures profitable, and the tariff
remedy proposed would be in effect simply
AttifeH=#rff1r 6fftdIit. IT
remove the tariff as a punitive measure
directed against trusts would Inc vitably re-
suit in ruin to the weaker cOmptti tors W no
are struggling against them Our aim
should be not by unwise tariff changes to
give foreign products the advantage oven
domestic products, but by proper regula.
ton to give domestic competition a fair
chance; ard this end cannot be reached BY
any tariff changes which would affect un-
lavorably all domestic competitors, good
and bad alike. The question of regulation
of the trusts stands apart from the ques-
ton of tariff revision.
Stability of economic policy must always
be the prime economic need OF this countrS
This stability should lot be fos silizatiokI
The country has acqulesced in the wisdom
off the protective-tarin principle. 1t is ex-
ceeoingly undesirable that this system
should be destroyed or that there should be
violent and radical changes therein. Our
past experience shows that great prosper
ity in this country has always come under
protective tariff; and that the country
cannot prosper under fitful tariff changes
laws as a whole work WELL and If business
has prospered under them and Is prosper
Ing, II Is better TO endure for time slight
inconvenierces and inequalities in some
n nt hue ,,l- h.,
quick and too radical changes. II Is most
earnestly to be wished that We could treat
the tariff from the standpoint solely of our
business needs 1t Is perhaps, too much to
hope that partisanship may be entirely ex-
cluded from consideration OF the subject
but at least 1t can be mace secondary 10
the business interests of the country-that
Unques tionably these business interests
will best be served II together with fixity
of principle as regards the tariff we COM
bine system which will permit us from
time TO time to make the necessary reap
-plication of the principle to the shifting "a
tional needs We must take scrupulous
care that the republication shall be made
In such way that It will not amount to
q, dislocaton of our system, the mere
threat Of which mot 10 speak of the per-
formanee) would produce paralysis in the
business energies of the community. The
first consideration in making these changes
would. OF course. be to preserve the prin-
ciple which unGerlies our whole tariff sys-
tem-that is. the principle of putting Amer
lean business Interests at least on a. full
ways allowing sufficient rate Of duty to
more than cover the difference between The
labor cost here and abroad. The well-be-
irg OF the Wage-worker,. like the well-be-
eG as an essential in shaping our whole
economic policy There must never be any
change which will jeopardize the standard
Of comfort, the standard of wages Of the
American orb
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. They can
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 dlsregarded for the
sake Of the maximum of good accom-
plshed. II 1t prove impossible to ratlfy
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
Need of n Tariff Commission.
Wherever the tariff conditions are such
that a needed change cannot with ad-
the reciprocity idea, then 1t can be made
outright by lowering of duties on
given product. II possible, such change
should be made only after the fullest
consideration by practical experts, who
should approach the subject from a busi-
ness standpoint, having In view both the
particular interests affected and the COM
mercial well-being Of the people as q
whole. The machinery for providing such
careful Investigation can readily be sup
piled. The executive department has al
ready at Its disposal methods OF collect
gress desires additional consideration to
that which will be given the subject by
its own committees. then commission
of business experts can be appointed
whose duty 1t should be to recommend
action by the congress after deliberate
schedules as they are affected by the
changed and changing conditions. The
unhurried and unbiased report Of this
commission would show what changes
should be made in the various schedules,
and how far these changes could go
without also charging the great pros
perity which this country is now enjoy
Ing. or upsetting ,ts fixed economic pol
- icy,
duce a monopoly are so few as to con-
stitute an inconsiderable factor In the
question; but Of course II in any case
Il be found that given rate of duty
does promote monopoly which works
ILL., no protectionist would object to snch
reduction of the duty as would equalixe
competition.
In my Judgment, the tariff on anthra-
cite coal should be removed. and anthra-
cite put actually, where Il now Is NOM
inally, on the free list. This would have
nc effect at all save In crises; but 10