Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-03-26
TOP BRICKS MUST COME OFF.
Democrats May Take Advantage Of
Republican Apathy.


Chicago, March 25-Wiiliam E. Cur
It's, in Washington Special to the
Record Herald, says: 1t is assumed
that the democrats in the senate will
force the republicans to take UP the
tariff at the next session of congress
and attempt to secure a general re-
vision with particular refepsnce to the
articles manufactured in this country
by the so-called trusts, but the bust
ness interests should not be alarmed.
The democrats will also make an
attempt to show that the republican
party has not kept it's pledges to the
people; that it has protected and de-
Tended monopoles and combinations OF
capital against the interest of the coun-
try and that its policy has been con-
trary to the public welfare. In other
words, the iowa idea" is to be stolen
by the democratic Leaders and forced
upon the republican majority. But
there will be no reduction in any OF the
important schedules.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, who rep
ressnts large protection sentiment.
has recently declared himself In favor
of the Iowa idea" AMI advocates the
removal of the top bricks on the tanH
wall Il think we should pull OIL some
Of the bricks" he said, end not attempt
to raze the wall to the ground would
lower the rates of duties to the point
where labor would still be safe from
European competition, and at the same
time withdraw, protection from the
trusts and other interests that because
Of prohibitIve duties are now able to
charge extortion prices Cor trust-made
articles to American consumers.
Senator Bacon declares that the dem
ocratic party has no intention of dis
turbing business tranquility or OF IN
terfering with the prosperity OF the
Industrial interests. He says that the
tariff rates in many lines of business
are the basis of prices and wages, and
that the manufacturing industries OF
the country are now adjusted to them
SO that it would be dangerous to dis
turb conditions that affect the cost OF
living. the rate of wages and the vital
interests of the whole country. Inc
legislation of congress, Mr.. Bacon says,
must be based upon practical consider
alton and no radical action should be
taken.
Since Georgia has become a manu-
featuring state public opinion is very
sensitive to tariff changes down in that
quarter and Mr.. Bacon understands the
situation. The democrats of the SEN
ate. however, are by no means united
on this proposition. They represent all
shades of sentiment from extreme free
trade to moderate projections. Senator
German, the new leader, is OF the latter
class. He is low protectionist. and
so far as he can control the democratic
minority there will be no legislation
that will seriously affact the manu-
featuring industries. Such a thing
would not be possible anyhow. The
republicans and high protectionists
have control of both branches OF con-
gress. and no radical reduction in du-
ties can possibly be made for at least
two wears, and one might safely say for
six years. because the republicans VIII
control the senate for that period un-
less an epidemic should carry of one
third of its members. Therefore the
protected manufacturers need not be
nervous. 1t is barely possible that the
democrats may secure majority In the
next house of representatives. 1t is
POSSIBLE that they may elect the next
president, but the republicans will have
a majority OF the senate until lsOS.