The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-14
Gov. Cummins and the iowa Idea.

Governor tCummlns OF; Iowa made at
Des Moines to-day another Of those
strong, vigorous, candid and coura geous
speeches for which he is noted. Governor
Cummins has some Theodore Roosevelt
about him. He has convictions of his
own and along with them the courage to
assert them, and the ability .tosdoait SO that
they are bound to sreeeive d ailiearing,
Tn his speech to-day hes discussed the
tariff. reciprocity and rnonopo ~. Cover
nor Cummins is the chief OK ponents Of the
Iowa idea 1.-The ide that tariff schedules are
5made;for the benehtof the people and not
.stha the people exist for the benefit Of
the schedules and Their direct benetici-
aries. For corroboratton Of his contention
that the schedules are not intended to be
rfexible and Interchangeable. but are to
be adapted to conditions. which might,
and which, he contends. have changed
for such corroboration he$trefers to the
Dingley law: itself. !: This adaptation may
be brought about through reciprocal trea-
ties or through general tariff revision.
The meanssof adjustment contained in the
law itself provide for bringing about tar
if changes with the least possible busi-
ness disturbance. The process may be
gradual and the effect gradual
AS to whether the time has come for
tariff changes, Mr.. Cummills cites the
theory upon which. the protective tariff is
based-the theory that it is to afford the
home producer an advantage in his home
market sufficient to offset the difference
which his labor costs him over that of
labor in similar lines ill., other, countries.
In other words. the protective tariff is to
equalize opportunity. The present sched-
ules were made six5years ago. The past
six years have been years Of unprece-
dented progress and change and develop
ment in industrial undertakings, par
.ticularly in this country Improved ma :
chinery, improved processes and methods,
| together with great concentration of capi-
tai and energy, excused ON the score of.
| and doubtless accompanied by. great
economies of operation haye,given Amer-
can manufacturers advantages not only
| in the home market, but. in. the markets
| of the world, which they did not enjoy
! when these schedules were formed. If 1t
| be true that these schedules are not in
! tended to give the producer under advar-
|5tages then: it is time to inquire whether
| he is entitled to all the favors that were
| granted to equalize conditions less ia
vorable to him than those which now pre-
levail. .s..,,- . --...... ~. .. y
! Governor C,unnlins takes the position iI
rega Ito sTecipro cit tina when we s*car
make 81 trade Of tl,ats Kind, where we ge
/ more than we give, we should make it
i E,rhat is. a business proposition and one
which. WOULD prevail if our tariff policy
were notSS largely dictated by special in
terests demand ana secure larger
.Erpnsid era tion HfAn the general interest
The governor refers te-sthe- abrogation O.
the Blaine reciprocity treaties by the dem
ocrats as gross political crime, and HI
does not want to see the republican part.
convicted of substantially the same of
fense by persistent refusal to revive th'
policy Of reciprocity. - =
| On the question whether the Iowa re
lpublicans have accused the protective
| tafl1f OF SnelIer1nS HlO11OpOly, the SOFeTllO
very cleverly turns the flank of his critics
Monopoly, he contends, is insufferable ant
when it happens that an industry Is con
verted into a monopoly he cannot con
Icede that that monopoly Is entitled to an.
favors at the hands Of the government
AS to whether such monopolies exist, II
does not seem to feel called upon to shoy
in this connection. That is a fact Of tn
situation which it is the business Of tn
gov ernment to determine.