The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-28
THE MAXIMUM |. | 4
And MINIMUM
80 - $5"sgEE ~ EHt =.>r ~
Something More About This Scheme
of Tariff Reform Proposed
by Lodge.
yy-. s Af--.. "a JE1hf ls& = t:.' 's:I-
Letters About It Should Be Sent to
Senators Lodge or
IT, .sHansbrough.. ~
From The Journal Bureau, Room IS, Post Build
inr Va 49,


From The Journal Bureau, Room IS, Post Build
ing, Washington. -,-, i-.sS
Washington, Jan. 2S.-It is perhops
natural that the rorthw est sshould look with;
suspicion upon any plan for tariff re-
form brought forward by members: of
either house of congress from New Eng
landsAT bat section isSstEongly high tariff in
sentimants and its|attftude towards reel
procity treaties and proposals; for tariff
amendment of late years, has not been one
to inspire confidence in other sections of
the country. The Lodge resolution, look
ing to ans investigations by the senate
committee ON filanees; during the coming
summer, of the merits of the maximum
and minimum. ariff s.dsa,sf Att first blush,
might well be thought Cut off the same
bolt with other things done-by New Eng
landers to- prevent genuine El "a riff f revision,
or to = POSTPONE revision; but,sa careful.
ton suggests that Sehator Lodge should
receive credit for some degree of sincerity
in this his latest move. He realizes that
some thing must be done to meet the very.
general demand of the country for tariff
modification. and is q loyal enough re
publican to want to keep the party out Of
donger., Tota no action he realizeswould
be dangerous. Senator Aldrich, the high
priest of. protection, and keeper Of. the
sacred White elephant. the Dingley
schedules. agrees with Senator Lodge that
there cannot much longer be defay-sof
tariff modification. He Endorses the MAXI
mum and minimum plan as affording the
largest measure Of relief at the smallest
sacrifice to American: manufacturers
There is no mistaking where these gentle.
men, leaders of their party on tariff mat
ters,. stand, or Of their. desire to, take
the lead in any movement that may be
made to- change schedules. Tney under
stand that if they dc not do this work,
it will be done by clements in the repub--
lican party which are less friendly to the
high protected interests. and that con-
siderable harm to their constituents
might result. So they propose themselves
to shape the policy which tho republican
party. is. to adopt as to- tariff changes,
and the Lodge resolutions Indicate that
that policy is to be the maximum and
minimum plan, which New England UNI
I. .,.- r.. . ~. Why This DeIayq
But nothing will be done for the present,
or until the Venezuelan situation is near
.er satisfactory settlement. The resolu-
lions will remain in the keeping of the
western representatives are Senators
Spconer and Hansbrough. If the Vene-
zuelan affair should show signs Of settle
ment Senator Lodge Will try to get a
favorable report on his resolutions. and if
favorably reported the senate will pass
them, and the inquiries will continue
through the coming summer
/ The reason why the Venezuelan con-
troversy is causing delay will be readily
understood when it is said that the Lodge
resolutions. in 50 far as they were aimed
at any particular country, were aimed al
Germany. which, through the influence of
the agrarian party, which is in control OF
the imperial government. is bent on rad
ical discrimina lions - against American
goods TO pass the Lodge resolutions
during time when Germany is making
demonstrations OH this side the water
which are seriously disturbing the Ameri-
can administration, might be looked upon
as an unfriendly act, and still further
complicate matters: hence. the intention
of Mr.. Lodge to wait with his resolutions
! until the Venezuelan situation clears up
/ somewhat aszs- ~
If at any TIME between now and the ad-
! iourn1r1ent OF congress the situation be-
| comes ia vtTab1e. it Isl understood that he
/ will press his resolutions 10 considera tor
and report and tfens TO fsa vote Son fi11a
passage in the senate.
/ Let It be said again that there is NJ
! buncomb in these resolutions. 50 far as
washington can see they simply repre-
sent a very natural desire ON the part
Of the highly protected east, which now
4 realizes that tariff modification is neal
at hand, to control that mudif1ca tion.s 81
at least to mark out the lines along which
it shall proceed. rs 5, ~ s.
i American export trade with Germany
i amounts in round numbers to $500, e90. .1Ot
i per year--a very large sum. in the ptnior
Of the German agrarians part W hlcf
II wants to ke ep q part of 1t at home O1
I course, there are certain things such al
cotton, goods, grains aand meat e nd zoos
4 products, which. Germany will s be com;
PEELED to buy ia the United States; hui,
4 the yagrariaEs want to reduce these pnr.
chases to a minimum, meanwhile stinu:
4 lating German agriculture TO a point which
i will make the country as nearly self-sus:
tanning as possible SO far as the grains
4 and the. meat and sfopd products are con
cerned. This means rank q iserimf ton
and the Lodge resolutions while couehee
4 in general terms. and Intended to hive
/ a general applica on and to meet. so TAI
as this country is concerned: the dems ne
for tariff nsodi fica ton s rik e direetls a
i GermanN. s.. Sc I 3t !. g. 55s S.
Il Vas the intsntl5n 81 Kepresentativ,