Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-07-02

the Deluge."
The biggest trust on earth is I'M
doubtedly the biggest hog. OF Its year
ly net profits of $130,OO0,0O0 about $780,
100000 come from tariff duties-that
is, this great industrial pauper or pen
sioner collects the tariff in higher
prices charged, an average of 81 per
person or So per family from the in
habitants of this country. Does 1t feel
grateful for the privilege of making
this $S0,00O,0O0 collection? Is 1t hum
bic and submissivei Not bit of 1t. 1t
IS arrogant, domineering and greedy
beyond belief. 1t looks with envy upon
every thousand dollars made by small
or corporations and Is constantly plan
ming to corral every dollar of tariff
profits which now escapes It.
Its unwillngness to share the tariff
profits with smaller corporations and
the constant display of It's Unsuitable
greed may yet be its undoing. 1t is Of
Tending thousands of manufacturers
who have heretofore participated In
the tariff plumber and who have been
most ardent supporters of protection"
so called. The harsh dictatorial meth.
DDS of this great trust, which supplies
much of the steel used by the manufac-
turers of harvesting machinery, agrt-
cultural implements and other machin-
cry and tools, are gradually changing
the attitude OF these manufacturers TO-
ward the tariff. In fact, hundreds Of
them have already decided that their
salvation lies in the direction Of free
iron and steel, and they are assuming
threatening attitude toward protec-
ton. Just when the storm will break
cannot be foretold, but one is certainly
gathering which will sweep away the
tariff profits Of the giant steel trust.
Instead of making small concessions
and compromises to allay the discon-
tent among these thousands of manu-
fncturers, whose continued support Is
necessary to perpetuate protection, the
steel trust Is making itself as obnox
ious as possible. 1t not only fixes
prices on its goods, but dictates over
what road they shall be shipped,
lblobSh w nat thtS SHuil bS
financed and frequently the maximum
prices that shall be charged for the fin
ished products made from trust steel.
If q small manufactures will not buy
all of his steel goods from the trust he
can buy none and must fight this great,
all pervasive and merciless trust Mt
every point. Any manufactures who
refuses to accept the mandates of the
trust is inviting ruin. His customers
are likely to disappear and leave him
stranded.
If these thousands OF slave manu-
factur2rs turn to congress and ask
measures which will afford some slight
relief the giant trust again appears to
dictate legislation which will keep
them In It's clutches. Take an In.
stance:
Numerous manufacturers appeared
before the ways and means committee
last winter In favor of the Lowering
drawback bill. This bill would permit
them when exporting goods to get re-
bate equal to the duty on imported ma
terials used in making these goods. 1t
does away with the necessity of iden-
tifying the imported raw materials In
the finished products and by cutting
much OF the red tape" makes 1t posi-
BILE for the manufacturers to obtain re-
bates and compete In foreign markets.
1t would carry out the intent of our
tariff system which Is to protect and
preserve our home market for our man
ufacturers so that they can charge us
as high prices as the tariff and condi-
tions will permit. but to put no obsta-
cles In the way of those who wish to
manufacture goods for sale In the for
eign markets at free trade prices. This
Is clearly the purpose of our tariff
drawback system. 1t has no other ra-
tional explanation.
Apparently all the testimony was In
favor OF the justice of the Lowering
bill, which was also shown to be en-
tirely practicable. But the committee
made no report. Why? II got its or
ders from the United States Steel cor.
poration In the face OF these orders
testimony became valueless. Why Is
the trust opposed to the removal of the
handicap now placed upon the manu-
facturer of goods for export? Because
II, too. gives rebates on steel sold for
the manufacture of goods for exports.
Its rebate system is little less liberal
than is that OF the government because
II requires less red tape" to operate It.
IL the government does away with
most OF the red tape the steel trust will
be compelled to give more liberal re-
bates.
Instead OF giving 81 per box on tin
plate when made into cans for export,
as now. 1t will have to give $40 or
81 40 or lose this trade. the full tariff
drawback being 90 per cent of $3.50.
Ii Is estimuted that the Lowering bill
would cost the steel trust 100000.
1t would probably be worth $5,0oo.0oo
to the exporting manufacturers, for 1t
would enable them to do business
which is now entirely lost to them. But
the steel trust is in business for profits,
not patriotism. and will not sacrifice
dollar TO benefit other manufactur-
ers, no matter what bcfalls them.