The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-22
DEMOCRATS ISSUE
CAMPAIGN BOOK
National Committee Outline Tells
of Evidence" Against
Republicans.

ing democrats. The following synop-
sis of the book has been prepared by
the democratic campaign committee:
By the way of emphasizing the issues
of Constitution opposed to Imperial
ISM the democratic campaign book con-
tains as a preface the full text of the
constitution of the United States.
Sixty of the 314 pages of the volume
are devoted to 1.-The Tariff and the
Trusts Concerning the trusts, much
space is given to evidence that the pro-
tected combinations, having a tariff mo-
nopoly in our home markets, are COM
polling Americans to pay much higher
prices for manufactured goods than are
paid by foreigners. The export and
home prices of hundreds Of articles are
compared. Nearly all kinds of hardware,
implements, machinery, tools, paints,
oils, ammunition, matches, baking pow
der, condensed milk, canned goods and
every kind Of steel products are sold to
our consumers at prices averaging about
25 per cent more than those paid by for
eigners for the same goods.
Quoting President Schwab's statement
to the Industrial commission that goods
were always sold cheaper for export the
| evidence before the Chamberlain tariff
commission in England and numerous
statements from export journals, trade
! journals and commercial papers, the con-
| clusion Is drawn that nearly all Of our
exports Of iron and steel goods, amount
ing to $111,oo0,ooo last year, are sold to
| foreigners at an average Of about four
fifths the price charged to Americans
| Never before was so much specific and
| unequivocal evidence presented this
point.
Prices and Wages.
Discussing prices and wages the abb
surd method of the republicans in MAX
| ing averages and Juggling statistics
are exposed. Particularly is the bureau
of labor scored for making statistics to
order for use of the republican campaign
committee-statistics that raise wages
and reduce prices, ON paper, and pro-
duce statistical or artificial prosperity.
The figures of the bureau, which show
an increase of only Is per cent in the
cost OF living since 1897, are contrasted
| with the figures of r. G. Dun & Co.,
which show that the cost of living was
43 per cent higher last March than on
July /, 1897, just before the Dingley bill
| became law.
! Based upon Dun's figures and upon the
full and complete reports of the railroads
covering more than 100000 workers.
which embrace both union and union
labor and show that wages rose at most
only 7 or per cent from July, 1897 to
July, 1903 when they were highest, 6
diagram is presented which shows tha
the purchasing power of wages has de-
clined rapidly so that wage earners II
1903 could purchase only Is per cent at
much as in 1897. The conclusion II
reached that if the dinner pail of today
is to be full it must be three-fourths a!
large before the "Dingley trusts be-
gan their era Of prosperity"
One Of the most interesting and instruo
tive chapters under tariffs and trusts i
that showing that the average family pay
! a tribute of 1914 a year to the protected
trusts. Taking in detail the importan
items of. expenditure, the tariff taxes o.
, each item are carefully estimated TIL
total is Sill, of which only $16.52 goes o.
taxes to the United States. The balanc.
1914 per family, or $1,000 900. 900 for tn
10000 900 families in this country, goe
to the protected trusts.
Business Record
IS Under the heading, Business and In
: dustrial Record of 1903-1904," are given
- list Of III important wage reductions an
n 1859 closed mills, for the last half Of 100
and the first half of 1904. These 2S0 item
II are contrasted with the list Of 100 'simila
y tho less specific items printed in the re
publican campaign book giving the indus
is trial record for 1893 and 1894.
t. 1t is thus declared that the business de
preston Of this year Is greater than wa
IS that Of 1893 and 1894, the most of whic
l. occurred under the Mckinley bill.
The chapter on the postal frauds cor
~ tains a complete history Of the scand;
T. from the beginning. Evidence is produce
showing that the Investigation of the de
partment was suppressed and that altt
Is the administration was officially informe
Of Of frauds as early as 1899. no investigs
n ton was ordered until 1908. The refus
in of the republicans to permit a congre:
sional investigation by a party vote
both houses is discussed and the d,
tailed vote Of the house and senate
given.
II The chapter devoted to civil servit
e abuses makes a strong showing again
J. the present administration of the law
n comparison with the strict compliant
II of the democratic administration.
Y. Official corruption in the interior d.
n partment is described as widespread ar
d evidence is produced to show the exte1
ic of the land frauds and the secrecy TIL
has been maintained as to the result
. any Investigations that may have bee
undertaken.