Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-24
Prosperity Produces Agitation Against
Tariff

TioSRStley FTOQuCeS Agitation AGAINST
Tariff.
"The prosperity of the United States
under the Dingley law simply amazed
us and literally terrified the old world.
But. strangely enough, that very pros
perlty brought on a hue and cry for
tariff reform here at home In the
presence OF our export trade that swept
everything before it, demand went
forth for the reduction of duties upon
all goods controlled by trusts, So
called. These combinations they said,
We're contrary to law, or at least to
the spirit of the Sherman anti-t trust
law. They We're depressing the con-
Stunning public. Moreover, many We're
arbitrarily closing factories, running;
cities, and manufacturing communities.
The census reported 120 plants so con-
trolled representing $25,O05,S33 of cap
ital that was lying idle. Their en-
ployes We're helpless or migrating to
other centers. The agitation for tariff
reform became urgent and loud. Many
republicans became alarmed. 1t was
| in this state of feeling that the Iowa
tariff plank of 1901 was adopted.
There We're many. however. who
cautioned against hasty action. II was
shown conclusively that the tariff was
not primary cause of Industrial COM
| binations. 1t was pointed out that
|
tariff reductions. untold change would
be simultaneously inflicted on all pro-
tected interests. 1t was urged that the
enforcement of the Interstate COM
merce act and the anti trust laws
would be more effectual than tariff
war in promoting the public welfare
Some even suggested that there was
unnecessary alarm; that q fever OF
speculation and stock jobbng and de-
mand would correct much that was
| contrary to the public interests in the
growth of huge capitalistic organiza-
| tions.
''The fate that has overtaken the
i trust has caused almost a cessation In
Iowa of the agitations to lower the du-
ties on goods produced by them. Il
] has become clear that TO do this
I would work vastly more harm than
good. Because of this conclusion,
think the tariff decision among us has
| been shifted. Reciprocity is now the
argument used for tariff reform.
Reciprocity in Tariff Reform.
The merits of particular proposal
4 for reciprocal trade agreements, shall
not discuss But some observation
seemed called for. Reciprocity as j
1 understand it, it was not urged by
either Blaine or Mckinley as means
i of stepping stone to free trade, but
so lay as a complement of protection
Its purpose was only to secure foreign
markets. not to disturb our home mar
ket. 1t is a political weapon instituted
i to enable us to accrue yankee fashion
/ good bargains with other nations. Ir
short, it is meant for lever, or il yor
please, a crow bar by which we may
pry open the doors of foreign custom
houses shut against our products. Blu
it is not intended that it shall be uset
as club to break down our own tariff
wall
THE welfare of our home industries
of our wage earners, and not more o
freer trade with foreigners, is tn
J policy of reciprocity. IL particula
treaties that have been negotiated o
: that are urged, threaten producers a
home, they threaten precisely VIVA
free trade threatens. no more or no less
Our manufacturers and producers mus
compete under such treaties the for
eign producers and contend with chea
: labor abroad. Herein lies the cause @
the strenuous opposition to the variou
J proposed reciprocity agreements. The
fear free trade, there can be no gail
saying this. The democratic leader o
/ the house, Mr.. Williams, when h
sprung the democrats into line to vot'
for the Cuban treaty, rejoiced at 1T
adoption, because he declared that i
was the entering wedge that would
finally overcome our tariff"