Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1906-10-19

/ tries where the difference between the
daily income and the cost of the ne
cessities of life is small, there the
standard of life is low. 1t is my
firm belief that just as long as the
| people of this country are the best
fed, the best clothed, the best housed
and possess the best education, giving
a high standard of life,-just so long
is a protective tariff necessity to
maintain the dignity and independence
of American labor.
The civilized world forces an eco
nomic revolution. The Orient, with
it's millions of Industrious citizens
and overproduction, the result of in
tense commercialism, are new factors
in the tariff controversy. American
and European capital has already
begun the exploitation of the cheaper
labor of the world. With American
systems of production, and with our
machinery and instruction, the foreign
laborer grows wonderfully in efficiency.
Improved machinery and methods has
been the chief advantage of American
manufacturers. When this advantage
is transferred to foreign lands, CAPT
tai, devoid of national feeling and
sentiment follows the laws of trade.
The Westinghouse Electric Company
has already built plants in Europe,
employing nearly 10000 men. The
Singer Sewing Machine Company
manufacturers for it's entire European
trade at its new plants in Germany
and Russia. The American Glass
Company has built a plant in Japan,
from which it will henceforth supply
the Orient The American Tobacco
Company has intimated that it will
build an immense plant in southern
Europe. With the construction of the
Panama Canal, 200, 900, 900 skillful
operatives will be thrown open to
the further exploitation of modern
methods and will be several thousand
miles nearer to the markets of the
world. With tariff protection, this
movement will be augmented and be-
come commercial necessity.
In Europe industry is growing
rapidly and becoming more centra-
liked. Every country is producing
more than it's needs and is building
up an export trade. To constantly
employ It's labor and capital it is
found necessary to dispose OF it's sur
plus abroad at prices that will insure
sale. This often results in selling
cheaper abroad than at home, and
this is common practice. England
built up it's foreign trade by means of
this policy. Some gov enrments in
Europe assist their shippers to under
sell abroad. Government railroads
lower freight rates for export goods.
Germany supplements this with a boun-
ty. Russia gives one-half of her
total internal revenue receipts in
order to enable her exports to under
sell in the foreign markets.
While trying to dispose of its own
surplus each country must guard its
market against the surplus of its
neighbor, which is resorting to the
same practice. The protection of its
market is the great problem in every
country. The only solution lies in a
protective tariff policy.
The truth of this is recognized in
every industrial country. Russia
adopted tariff in 1877, Italy and
Austria in 1873. Germany in 1879.
France in 1881, Canada in 1888, Swift
zerland in 1885, Roumania in 1886,
Belgium and Brazil in 1887, Norway
and Sweden in 1888 and Mexico in
1900. Four of these countries have
raised their rates from two to three
times since the tariff was first intro
duced. 1t is also significant to notice
that when some years ago sixteen com
mercial treaties of Europe expired,
every one was renewed with increased
tariff rates. In 1903 Germany raised
here tariff on the leading imports from
America over 40 per cent. Many ar
ticles were placed on the prohibitive
list. Every industrial nation has II
recent years, materially increased its
tariff rates.
The tariff, therefore, is an intense
ly practical question. A revision is
necessary, but the greatest skill anG
caution must be used, lest our indus.
trial structure be injured. Unreason.
able haste is certain to be regretted
The schedules should be gradually
lowered until the duty is equal to ths
difference between the cost of labor il
Europe and the United States. Thi:
revision should not be left to the enc
mics of this policy, but the financia
security of the country requires tha
any change IN the tariff schedule:
shall be made by the friends of pro
lection.
ECONOMY IN STATE ADMINS
TRATION.
. The candidate for governor on tn.
Democratic ticket has repeatedly
, charged the Republican party will
corruption and extravaganza in office