Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-14
THE IOWA IDEA.
It's Meaning Depends Chiefly on the
Interpreter.

Interpreter.
Charles Emory Smith in Saturday Evening
Post.
What the Iowa Idea" means in the by
play on the tarif-for Il was only by-play
incident to the exigent coal questionable
speech on the republican side which ar
rested most attention was that Of Senator
Dolllver. Naturally, since It was the one
speech which struck out the fixed lines.
Senator Dolliver vigorously espoused what
has come to be known as "the Iowa idea"
That idea is itself rather indefinite. 1t de-
ponds chiefly on the interpreter. In the
translation Of Governor Cummins IL means
one thing; in that Of Secretary Shaw quite
another. In the one case 1t means early
and signal tariff revision; in the other It
means delayed and conservative action
at the chosen time. Under the one leader
ship 1t signifies reciprocal trade arrange
ments which shall give aA1 take even at
some sacrihces; under the other It signifies
reciprocity agreements with full home pro-
lection.
Senator Dolliver cast in his lot fully with
Governor Cummins. This is a declaration
which is not without political significance.
Governor Commins is the leader of those
republicans who hold that some Of the
tariff rates are too high and openly advo-
cate a reduction. They inferentially admit
that these rates sustain monopolies and
imply that to strike at monopolies we
should strike at the tariff. There is moth
ing In the terms of the Iowa platform, as
they stand, to which all republicans can
not assent. But Governor Cummlns puts
upon them an Interpretation which makes
them mean more than they say. Perhaps
the Interpretation Of others makes them
say less than they mean. The prevailing
republican sentiment does not go so far as
Governor Cummins, but, though holding
that there is nothing sacred about the
schedules and that they should be gov
erned and modified by conditions Of pro-
duction and price, holds at the same time
that revision should be regulated by a
conservative spirit and by business Sc
curity.
Thus 1.-The Iowa idea" may not be alto
gether harmonious with itself. 1t is partly
economic and partly political. Probably
| Governor Cummlns fully believes in, the
policy he expounds, and probably also he
sees in 1t a way of making an issue and
gaining the leadership Of the republican
party in Iowa. In this respect the contest
is more political than economic. When
Senator Dolliver joins Governor Cummins
ne klNGb hCW lOISo ~ hS Nv univ
senator is less wary and more positive
than the senior. During the campaign the
astute Senator Allison showed that the
Iowa platform is entirely in harmony with
the national platform. So 1t is upon the
plain construction of It's language, but
whose Interpretation is to be followed
Senator Allison, with his great experience,
his cautious temperament and his adroit
methods would avoid an issue. But Sena-
tor Dolliver follows Governor Cummins
and plants himself with the advanced re-
visionists. He is a vigorous and courage
Gus advocate and adds strength to any
cause he accepts.
On one phase Of the question he was
partly right and partly wrong. He was
right in contending that the Dingley law
was framed with a view to reciprocity and
in repelling the charge that the contem-
plation of such a purpose In fixing the
rates was a reflection on Mr.. Dingley's
honor and good faith. Certainly there is
nothing in the idea OF reciprocity which
is open to criticism. II is a legitimate
national policy. The door was opened in
the Mckinley law. The plan was carried
out in the Blaine treaties. And II recipro-
cal trade arrangements are right and
wise, it is indisputably legitimate to fix
| ldIlu IdICS oO 40 W PiNpuAO ~ NoJ vi
them. Senator Delivers defense of the
policy Of putting tariff rates higher than
was needful in order to use them to trade
on was effective and complete.
But he was wrong in urging that the
obligation Of reciprocity involves the duty
of ratifying the Kasson treaties. Because
the Dingley bill was constructed with a
view to reciprocal arrangements It does
not necessarily follow that any particular
agreements which may happen to have
been made must be confirmed. They are
to be judged and determined on their own
merits. The general policy is morally
obligatory and economically wise. But the
measures for carrying 1t out are matters
Of detail, and are to be considered with
reference to the question whether they
are best adapted to the end. II the treaties
sacrifice some important interests for the
sake Of others. 1t is legitimate to weigh
the question whether the gain justines the
loss. II they can be dropped and more
advantageous arrangements made, there Is
no reason why it should not be done.