Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-06-22
Observation-Disclosures
= POLITICS aaaaM
~ ==OF THE DAY 81
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Republican Tariff Plank,

Republican Tariff Plank.
Senator Aldrich says the Republi-
cans will revise the tariff when 1t is
necessary to do so, but as the Senator
manages the Republican tariff pro-
gram and in turn is controlled by the
trusts, the time for revision ia certain
to be in the distant future. Those of
us with small incomes, at the mercy
of high trust prices, have seen the
necessity for tariff reform ever since
the combines boosted prices beyond the
ability of the poor man to pay. The
Rockefeller group of industrial trusts,
with whom Senator Aldrich is con-
nected, will hardly consider 1t neces-
sary to revise the tariff. unless to raise
1t to higher plane. The last Repub-
lican platform for Iowa declared that:
Duties that are too low should be In
creased, and duties that are too high
should be decreased" That was the
plank adopted to compromise the diff
ferences between Gov. Cummins and
"the stand-patters," 80 that each could
point to 1t with pride. The followers
of Gov. Cummins who believe that the
tariff shelters trusts, could quote that
part Of the plank which promised that,
II duties were too high and were fos-
tering the trusts and allowing them to
rob the Iowa farmers, the duties
would be reduced. The stand-patters,
on the other hand, who proclaim that
high duties bring prosperity, doubtless
feel that still higher duties wonld
bring about even greater prosperity.
But this Juggling with words that gave
both factions chance to approve the
platform did not lead to any revision
Of the tariff by Congress and In fact
the Iowa delegation. led by Senator Al.
lison, agreed to ''let well enough
Alone" That is the trusts and corpo-
rations had more influence with Con-
gressmen than their constituents, for
Gov. Cummins, who believes In tariff
reform was elected by large major
ity which shows that most Of the peo-
pie of Iowa favored revision.
The Republican leaders are now try
ing to agree on tariff and trust planks
to be incorporated in the platform to
he adopted at Chicago and the same
Juggling with words that will allow
both factions to stand on the platform
is certain to be presented to the vot-
ers. Senators Aldrich and Lodge are
said to be preparing the planks, under
the close supervision of President
Roosevelt, and the voter that will not
be able to find what he wants will be
hard to please.
Yet the fact remains that the pro-
tectionists and trust interests will
write the platform and also control the
action of the Republican national con-
vention, and as every revision Of the
tariff by the Republicans has resulted
in increasing duties, 1t is certain that
II the Republican party wins the cleo
ton 1t will not be considered necessary
to revise the tariff, and more certain
that If any revision is attempted the
protection the trusts now enjoy will
be maintained. Dun's Index figures
for May show that high prices for all
the necessaries of life are still main
tanned and yet wages are declining,
with vast number Of workers unem-
ployed and many imported industries
running on short time, and yet the high
tariff, which the Republicans declare
produces prosperity, is in full working
order. The price Of many farm prod
ucts is falling and yet the cost of llv-
ing shows but little, If any, decrease.
The beef trust, the coal trust, the salt
trust, the oil trust, the sugar trust
and the minor combinations are paying
large dividends, fostered in most cases
by the protection the tariff gives
them.
1t would seem, therefore, Senator
Aldrich to the contrary notwithstand-
ing, the Republican national platform
should declare when the tariff will be
revised and ii the revision shall pro-
vide for higher or lower duties, espe-
cially on trust products.