The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-16
GERMANS OCCUPY
A PORT IN CHINA
CANAL OPENS WAY
FOR TARIFF FIGHT
President S Decision to Buy Sup.
plies in World s Market Blow
to Standpatters.
Ry w. w. Jerm ane.

Washington, May l6.--The. presi-
dent S decision that supplies for the
Panama canal are to be bought in the
world s markets in. order that this gov
eminent may take advantage of lower
prices thus made available, and thus
) canal, 90 50 per cent farther than
s0r;o ~rwise would 60, will be of far
reecal g ~olitical effect. 1t will in
effect .SOc; ~ attack on the policy of
protectiohe.etp Itch the government
has been coli, 7ince the days of
Mckinley. &
The standpatters ill be quick to
point out the government s inconsistent
cy, and to rally their forces in defense
Roosevelt, as is we'll known, believes in
revision, and it may be that the Pana-
ma decision has been deliberately
reached with the knowledge that it
would precipitate the tariff issue
in the next congress.
Congress Favors Opposite Plan.
In congress there has been strong
sentiment for restricting even the trans
American shipping. Several bills to
that effect were Introduced at the last
| two sessions There seemed to be a
majority in both houses for such law,
| but for parliamentary reasons vote
was never reached. =. .....
| Manufacturers in various lines have
been planning to supply the govern
ment ever since the canal was author
lied. The vigorous character of their
opposition cam readily be foreseen.
The high protectionists now fortify'
ing themselves against any encroach
ment upon their markets, will see in the
president s decision a terrible blow to
their cause. But congress does not as
semble for several months and before
congress can act, if it should be so dis
posed, the executive committee of the
Commission will have abundant oppor
tunity to make the purchases Of sup
tracts can be entered into for future
purchases which congress will be pow
erless to annul.
This decision with regard to the cana
was reached with some reluctance.
! An Cutlery Is Certain.
This important decision was reached
: with some reluctance, because 1t wa
appreciated by Secretary Taft and th
surely be great cutlery from two grea
3 interests in this country-the producer
, of material and the shipowners-if tn
| purchases were not limited to the Amer
lean products. But it was decided tina
the money consideration was SO grea
that it could not be ignored, for it wa
held that in many cases fully so pc
rial needed in canal construction thai
the same goods could be procured TO
: in Europe.
, $65O,OO0 Saved on Two Ships.
Chief Engineer Wallace, for instance
showed that two ships in addition t
those running between New York an
= way company, would be absolutely nee
essary to carry the food supplies an
material. needed for the work, N
l American ships could be bought at an
h reasonable price, and when it came
l building such ships, it was found, al
y cording to Secretary Taft g statemen
t bbs Mhs a be 'f or 9 sy tSS 2s9UG
Q cost 81 100000 to build such ships her
I And in addition, while the Europea
e ships could be had at once, it woul
take at least eighteen months to secul
q American vessels. Thus it was decide
+ to buy the ships in Europe, or, rathe
4 in any port where they could be ha
v cheapest and obtained the quickest.
u struction, the commission decided tina
- by reserving to itself the right to pu
y chase in the world s markets, it wou]
at elast oblige American manufa
turers to give them the benefit of the
y foreign prices if they wished to Sc
i1e goods to the commission. l. F..
y Secretary Taft said today that
"a felt obliged to indorse this project,
cause, having given congress every O
Es portunity to adopt a contrary decisio
u he felt that the very terms of the can
er act provided that it must be construc
n ed at the lowest possible cost.