Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-10-21
A Practical Man on the Tariff.

IDENTIFY drawn prize in their nominee for
the Governorship, Mr.. William L. Douglas.
1t may seem extravagant to say 1t, but we
think 1t q perfectly safe assertion that his
speech accepting the nomination contains
one Of the most effective and spirited attacks
upon the protectionlst system that have been
made for years. 1t has the peculiar value of
coming from man who knows one great
branch Of manufacturing industry through
and through, by practical experience Here
is something about the general effect of taxed
raw materials upon the industries of Massa-
chusetts:
But few, perhaps, realize the heavy tariff
burden now carried by Massachusetts,. -
| Based upon the census figures for 1900 and
| upon the statistics Of manufactures of Mas.
sachusetts for 1908, the value of the materl-
ais or stock used in our manufactures In
1908 was $3.50, 100000. Rough estimates in
dictate that the tariff tax upon such of these
materials as are dutiable ls about 81 600.
600. That is, materials which would cost
our manufacturers but $3.50 900, were
they free, now cost $500 100000. With free
raw materials, goods which last year cost US
81, PAS, 100000 to produce would have cost
Us only $1,172,O00,000. That Is, taxed raw
materials add more than per cent. to the
cost Of manufacturing goods in this Com
monwealth. Only those who know the small
margins on which most manufactured goods
are sold can appreciate the handicap thus
placed upon our industries and the effect
that its removal would have upon our man
ufactures, especially in obtaining foreign
trade. Give our manufacturers as cheap ma
terials as have manufacturers In England,
| and we will soon be masters of the worlds
markets, In the several great Industries In
which we are by nature and by acquired
abilities pre-eminent.
And here is an unexpected application OF
this, which furnishes some realization of the
importance of the saving that might be ef-
fected by the remission of the tariff tax:
In 1908 about $3.50, 100000 was paid in
wages to about $4,000 workers in Massa'
chusetts. The average earnings, then, was
about $471 .23 year, or 5000 per week. Ii
the manufacturers could save 81 100000 on
materials, they could pay 81 600, 900 more
In wages and manufacture goods at the same
cost as at present. That Is, they could afford
to raise wages about 80 per cent and not
make the goods cost more than now.
Here, again is something, coming straight
from the workshop and not from the pro-
fessor's study, which testifies decisively
against the Republican claim that every.
thing we have got is built upon tariff
foundation:
Speaking for myself, would gladly give
up the duty of % per cent on shoes to obtain
free raw materials. Yes, even TO obtain free
hides and free sole leather. II the handicap
of taxed leather were removed, could pro.
duce shoes at as low cost as could any man
ufacturer in any foreign country, and meet
the competition Of the world. Cheap labor
Is not cheap. II is dear when effectiveness
is considered. Our Massachusetts methods
of manufacturing and the economical divis.
ion of labor enable Us to produce shoes at az
low labor cost, quality considered, as any.
where In the world. 1t Is the high cost OF
materials that bars US from the fullest posi-
BILE participation In foreign markets. In
spite of this handicap, our last years ex-
ports OF boots and shoes from the United
States were valued at 81 1888 $40.
Finally, we must quote one passage which
disposes summarily, but no more summarily
than II deserves, Of the feeble hope which
some Massachusetts, Republicans are now
entertaining Of getting something out o.
their party by means of reciprocity:
Recently, and especially since 10000 Re
publican voters in Massachusetts have sign
ed the reciprocity petition circulated by the
Chamber of Commerce, q few Republican
leaders have become timid advocates of 9
meaningless reciprocity in non-competine
/ TNrDdnnfa fnhia 10 ha las nc n,
Republican State platform, but is the mean.
ing of the words consistently with the prin
ciples Of protection and without injury tC
American agriculture, American labor OF
American industries"
Whatever the Massachusetts platform
makers may have meant, or may have
thought other people would think they
meant, Mr.. Douglas is entirely justified by
the facts in saying that the only reciprocity
the Republican party will permit is one thai
ls meaningless" No protected interest is u
be deprived of anything 1t has once managed
to get-that is the true meaning of "stand
pat" and that Is what the national Republi.
can party is committed TO. The only chance
of a relaxation Of the grip of those interests
is through the Democratic party. Mr.. Doug
las brings this out with force and clearness,
as he does the connection between the tariff
and the trusts, with their system of dump
Ing. The managers of the Democratic ma
tional campaign could do no letter thing,
In the way OF literature on the tariff, than
distribute the excellent speech Of the Massa-
chusetts candidate. He has certainly given
"jolp 10 the old maxim admonishlng the
shoemaker 10 stick TO his last