Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-26

of it's rates, and. as-to tffem at least, I'M
Justly and oppressi1aly Gnrdens the peo-
pie. 1t secures to doHnestfe manufacturers.
singly or in combinat ionS~ the privilege OF
exacting excessive prices,~ at home and
prices far above tn Level of sales made
regularly by them ahroadiwith profit, thus
giving bounty to Foreigners at the ex-
pense of our own peaple.Its unjust taxa
ton burdens the people generally, forcing
them to pay, excessive PRICES for food. fuel,
clothing and other Xecessaries of life. 1t
levies duties on manXsartiejes not normally
imported in any considerable amount, which
are made extensively at home, for which
the most extreme pr6tecti4hist would hard
ly justify protectivestaxes, and which in
large amounts are exported. Such duties
lave been and will continue to be direct
incentive to the formation of huge indus
trial combinations, which, secure from for
e!gn competition, are enabled to stifie do
nestle competition and practically to mo-
nopoliZe the home market.
1t contains many duties imposed for the
express purpose only. as was openly avow-
ed, of furnishing basis for reduction by
means of reciprocal trade treaties, which
the republican administration. implicitly at
least, promised to negotiate. Having. on
this promise, secured the increased duties,
the republican party leaders, spurred on by
protected interests, defeated the treaties ne
Gotiated by the executive, and now these
same interests cling to the benefit OF these
duties which the people never intended they
should have, and to which they have no
moral right.
Even now the argument most frequently
urged in behalf Of the Dingley tariff. and
against tariff reform generally. Is the ne
cessty of caring for our infant Industries
Many of these industries, after a hundred
years of lusty growth, are looming up as
industrial giants. In their case, at least
the Dingley tariff invites combination and
monopoly, and gives justification to the ex-
preston that the tariff is the mother OF
trusts.
For the aforementioned reasons. among
many others, the people demand reform
of these abuses, and such reform demands
and should receive immediate attention.
The two leading parties have always diff
fered as to the principle of customs taxa
ton. Our party has always advanced the
theory that the object Is the raising Of
revenue for support Of the government
whatever other results may incidentally
flow therefrom. The republican party, on
the other hand, contends that customs du-
ties should be levied primarily for protection
so-called, with revenue as the subordinate
purpose, thus using the power of taxation
to build up the business and property or
the few at the expense of the many.
This difference of principle still subsists
but our party appreciates that the long
continued policy of the country, as mani
that tariff reform should be prudently and
sagaciously undertaken, scientific prin-
ciples to the end that there should not be
an immediate revolution in existing condi-
tions.
In the words of our platform we de-
mand "a revision and gradual reduction
of the tariff by the friends Of the masses.
and for the common veal, and not by the
friends of its abuses, its extortions and
Determinations"
In my response to your committee
pointed out the method under which 4 grad
ual reduction of customs duties may be ac-
complished without disturbing business con-
ditions / desire again to express the op;n-
ion that this method should be followed
1t Is true that the republicans, who do
not admit in their platform that the Ding
ley tariff needs the slightest alteration,
are likely to retain a majority of the fed
eral Senate throughout the next presiden-
tial term, and could, therefore, if they
chose block every attempt at legislative
relief. But it should be remembered that
the republican party includes many re-
visionists, and 1 believe it will shrink from
defying the popular will expressed unmis-
takably and peremptorily at the ballet box.
The people demand reform of existing con-
tration the cost of living has grievously in
creased. Those having fixed incomes have
suffered keenly; those living wages, If
there has been any. increase, know that
such increase has not kept pace with the
advance in the cost of living, including
rent and the necessaries of life. Many to-
day are out of work, unable to secure any
wages at all. To alleviate these conditions,
in so far as is in our power, should be our
earnest endeavor. 81
Trust Remedies.
I pointed out in my earlier response the
remedy which in my Judgment can eff
actually be applied against monopolies,