The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-30
Mr.. SHAW ON TARIFF
He Speaks Of the Coming Campaign
to Be Made on This
Question.
Schedules Should Not Be Revised
Until They Cause Actual
kl Hardship.

New York, Jan. 30.-The memory of
William Mckinley was celebrated last
night at the annual dinner of the West
Side Republican club at the Waldorf As
toria, more than 800 republicans joining
In the tributes voiced by the speakers.
Secretary Shaw said in part: ra
II am aware that most of the text
books and many Of the colleges teach free
trade, and I admit that free trade Is theo-
retically correct. I am also aware that
nearly every statesman whose wisdom
has contributed to the advancement Of
industrial prosperity in the United States
during the last century has taught pro-
lection. and I insist that, practically
speaking. protection is correct. think
both Of these propositions can be demon
strated with mathematical accuracy, and
at the same time concede that correct
theory Is always in harmony with prac-
tice.
1.-The difficulty with the schoolmaster is
he thinks of the human race as a unit
The schoolmaster is correct if it be
sought to equalize wages and standards Of
living throughout the world. The states
man Is correct 80 long as he has in mind
the advancement Of the American people
ana the establishment Of economic condi-
lions peculiar to ourselves Unless we
propose to drop our standard Of living
to the average Of the world We must pro-
tect our people from competition with the
product Of cheap foreign labor and from
the presence og cheap foreign laboreGs.
By so doing we are relatively of greater
advantage to the world than we would be
to lower our standard. The last fiscal
year was the most prosperous ever ex-
perienced, YET during that same year we
actually consumed more foreign products
than ever in our history. Our unprece-
denied prosperity created a market be-
You'd our ability to supply.
But this does not imply that the sched-
ale
they ever were perfect will be
perfect. or that they should never be
revised. 1t does imply, however, that
they should not be revised simply because
they are imperfect. Some one, some in
dustry, some interest ought to show an
actual hardship before present conditions
are disturbed.
There are indications that another
campaign is to be waged against high
prices. 1t Is again urged that American
made goods can be bought in foreign
markets cheaper than at home. 1 sup
pose this is true In some instances. But
this Is not the outgrowth of protection.
IT any OF you gentlemen will go with me
Tomorrow to the office Of the board Of
general appraisers, promise to show you
a. hundred articles that are regularly sold
cheaper In the United States than where
produced Sugar IL cents wholesale In
France, in Holland and In Russia. is i'm
ported, charged with a. duty Of IS cents
per hundred and sold in this city at less
than 5 cents. This Is not only true of
sugar and chocolate and macaron. but Of
steel. chinaware, glassware and of many
other articles.
When present tariff law was
passed, 1t was said in convention, on the
platform, and through the press, that it
would remain undisturbed for twenty five
years. 1t Is now nearly six years old, and
some people have changed their minds
T nat
before I join the chorus I would like. to
have the director announce to the audience
just what particular changes he proposed
TO have made and 4torgive specific reeS
sons therefor = . = {. = E. p u
The only free trade argument that ap-
peals to me sound is the one favoring
the cheapest possible material for manu-
features designed for export. The Amer
lea manufa ctureer Of shoes, for Instance
would find 1T difficult to invade foreign
markets against competitor who not
only pays less wages but who also has the
advantage Of cheaper leather. The an
swer to this argument is the repub-
lican drawback policy evolved In the in
terest Of the exporter. These laws should
be made as liberal as possible.
There are three prerequisites for de-
mand for the refund Of duty. First, the
duties must have been actually paid
Second, the imported material must have
been wrought into finished product with
the aid Of American labor. Third the fin
ished product must be exported and thus
removed from competition in the home
market. When It is conceded that the
government does not desire to profit at
the expense Of the exporter then every
possible facility should be afforded him,
and no unnecessary obstruction, him
drance or delay thrown in his way. II
know 1t Is urged that a less stringent law
would open the door to fraud, but there
frnl u;ho fh1
American manufactures RECEIVERS back
no more than has actually been apid
either upon the identical material or upon
the same kind and quality Of material