Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-08-09
INCREASE IN COST OF LIVING.
Advance of 48 Per Cent. Made Under
the Present Tariff.

the Present Tariff.
Ii the constitution had not provided
for free trade between the states, this
country would have advanced
to its present position of power and
wealth. Each special interest or
product produced in every state would
soon have been clamoring for protec-
ton from the competition of it's neigh.
boring and sister state and a virtual
embargo would have existed against
Interstate commerce. But what can
not be done to prohibit trade between
the states has been accomplished to
prevent trade with other nations and
to tax the people of the United States
II they undertake to import foreign
products. At the outset, when this
country was struggling to establish
manufactures and free itself from the
extortion of the mother country, a tar
III on imports was desirable, both for
protection and for revenue. But the
tax imposed did not exceed ten per
cent, whereas now it exceeds on the
average so per cent. If these present
enormous tariff duties we're necessary
to support the government, there
would be some excuse for their impo-
sition, but on many manufactured
products the duties are so high as to
be prohibitive and actually prevent
imports, in many cases exceeding 100
per cent. and in some cases 200 per
cent.
This high tariff has naturally fos-
tered combines and trusts IN this
country, to take advantage of the op-
portunity for monopoly. Prices have
increased enormously, in consequence
OF lack of competition, and the cost
of living has advanced 46 per cent.
since the present tariff Law was en-
acted in 1897. But a small percentage
of this increase is collected by the
government; the far greater percent
age is collected by the trusts and COM
bines, which control about all the
general products consumed by the
American people.
This trust taxation has led to Wig.
orous protests by the p%lunderel tax
payer and in many states the indie
pendent Republicans are as hostile to
the present tariff system as the Demo-
Gratis are. But these protests have
fallen on deaf or Indifferent ears and
the party in power is still standing
pat. 1t Is no exaggeration to say
that there is a compact between the
Republican leaders and the trust mo.
nopolists to continue this unholy al
lance for mutual advantage, the
trusts and combines getting the lions
share of the plumber and the Repub-
lican campaign fund a good percent
age, to keep that party in power.
If this same tariff system was in op.
GRAFTON between the several states
each n would have it's tariff monop-
olists, and commerce between the
states would, on many products, be
almost at a standstill. The vast con.
centration of the great industries at
he points where the raw material is
most available, Of where the skilled
labor is located, would have been i'm
possible, for the rival interests in
other states would have been clamor.
ing for protection and a tariff wall
would have been erected around most
of the states to prevent the free inn
ports of other states. Such a wall ex-
lists to-day between us and Canada,
between us and Mexico and even be-
tween our own colony of the Philip.
pines, not to mention the wall be-
tween us and Europe.
In spite of this tariff tax and re.
strictions, the necessities of our PEG.
pie have forced importations from
and exports to all these countries. If
the tariff wall was lowered to a req
sonable tariff for revnue basis there
would be more trade and therefore
more money made, and more impor-
tant yet the trusts and combines
would be compelled to reduce their
profits and the cost Of living would
decline from 48 per cent. above the
normal to the proportion that the tar
if rates are reduced, or thereabouts.
Those who work for wages would
thus benefit, for to reduce the cost Of
living is virtually to advance wages,
and as every home provider knows
the increased cost of living has made
it necessary for him to spend $1.48
for what used to cost him one dollar,
and if his income has not increased
4S per cent. he is really getting lower
wages according to the increase of
his wages from the normal in 1897.
Those with fixed incomes are even
greater sufferers under this unfair
system.
Early Christian Churches.
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