The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-22
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
The following Article Taken from
the Leon Journal Shows their
Position in 1901.

1t is becoming more and more evident
that the tariff schedules of the United
States will have to be revised in the
future and some things on which tariff
is now paid, be placed upon the free list,
while others may be subject to reduc-
tion.
When an American industry is so
throughly established as to not only
control the markets of this country but
also to reach out into foreign countries
and compete with the manufacturers of
those lands, we begin to think it is
about time to inquire il that industry
is not able to "stand alone" without the
aid of duty upon imported goods. Ger
tainly if that industry can pay the
freight to other countries and undersell
foreigners in those lands, it would not
be unreasonable to claim that it no long
er needs protection. When that condi-
tion of things prevails it would bein ac-
cordance with correct principles of pro-
lection to put such articles on the free
list. We consider it all right to pro-
tect our ''iniant Industries" and help
build them up until they become strong
and so throughly established as to be
able to meet foreign competition. But
protection is not designed for them
alone. True protection will protect the
people generally as well as the manu-
factrlrcrs, and when the latter are to
compete with all opposition both at
home and abroad, the people will be
best protected by little free trade.
Putting such article on the list would
prevent greedy manufacturers from
using the tariff as an excuse for charg-
ing moro for their goods here than
abroad, which can readily be seen is
unnecessary, for if, after paying the
cost of transportation, they can afford
to sell goods at a certain price in a for
eign land, they can sell here at the same
price and make a better profit. The
people are quick to resent such dis
elimination in favor of other lands and
ask protection for it.
In a revision of the tariff it is not
likely that it will be found necessary or
beststo putsyepy many articles on the
free list, but is stated that the manu-
facturers of steel and iron are able to
undersell their competitors in foreign
lands and to prevent the importation of
such goods into this country without
the help of a protective tariff. This
being the case, it will be seen that such
articles have ceased to be revenue pro-
ducers so that the necessity for obtain
ing revenue cannot be urged as plea
for retaining the tariff on them. Neither
is it necessary for the protection of the
laboring class, for in such cases they
arc not only receiving the work Of this
country, to which they arc entitled, but
also much from foreign lands.
No doubt in such cases there is indi-
vidual opposition to reciprocity on the
part Of those whose interests would be
slightly affected by it, but we think
that policy will so hand in hand with
protection. They are the counter parts
of each other. Reciprocity supplements
protection and they both work in the
direction of increased business. At any
rate we are Of the opinion that tbe
changed industrial condition of the
country make revision of the tariff
wise and necessary, and most assuredly
that work should be done by the friends
of protection and not by it's enemies.
journal May 16, 1901, page ..