Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-02-15
DRIVING OUT CAPITAL
Manufacturers Are Establishing
Plants In Canada.
RESULT OF TARIFF RESTRICTIONS

RESULT OF TARIFF RESTRICTIONS
How Many Republicans will Break
With rhci Party :-Committecs of
Fixed to Med
ding With Existing Tariff Laws.
Reciprocity Wanted.
The Illinois Manufacturers associa-
ton is up in arms at the fact, just dis
covered. that 1872 Of the leading con-
Germs OF the country have been obliged,
chiefly on account Of tariff restric-
tons. TO establish branch plants in
Canada. Fifteen Of these industries
have headquarters in Chicago. The re-
sul,ing loss financially IS estimated at
upward of $50, 900, 900" These manu-
facturrrs are to meet shortly to decide
if they will not appeal to congress for
rcciJyocity with Canada.
As most Of these Chicago manufac-
turers III the northern states are Re
puhlicans or have been heretofore, it
is extraordinary that, with very few
exceptions, their representatives In
congress are stand patters entirely
opposed to any tariff legislation. Speak
err Cannon from their state has reor-
ganiZCd the ways and means commit
tee. to which all tariff bills must be re-
ferrcd. SO that a majority of that COM
mit,ee are committed to the programme
Of no tariff legislation. Henry S. Bou-
tell Of chicago is Il member Of the COM
mittec and is opposed to meddling with
the sacred tariff, and yet many Of these
manufacturers voted for him, although
his Democratic opponent was In favor
Of reforming the tariff. 1t is safe to
say that nc congressman from Illinois
except Mr.. Rainey, the only Democrat
lc member, will vote for tariff reform,
for not one of them has so expressed
himself. There are three or four Re
publican members from Massachusetts,
who are pledged to vote for free hides
and perhaps free coal and for some
kind of reciprocity with Canada.
What Republican members from 9th
er states will join The Massachusetts
men In forcing such legislation through
the house of representatives? 1t will
take sixty Republican members to vote
with The Democrats to be able to obtain
consideration for such a bill. Have that
number of Republican members plucl
enough 10 break with their party ever
if they believe in such legislation or the
force Of public opinion in their districts
is in the same direction? 1t IS possible
but hardly probable.
In view Of the uncompromising atti
tudc of the great majority Of the Re
publican members not only in the pres
ent congress-, but in former congresses
the only way to force tariff reform
through congress is to elect member;
who are openly pledged to vote for sucl
legislation even to the last resource O
breaking away from the Republican
organization.
There Is, of course, the other alterna
tive of electing Democrats who from
education and tradition are for such re
form Of the tariff as will allow Canad;
to trade with us and we with Canada
or any other country that has product
we desire and can use to advantage
also to eliminate protection from th'
| trusts that are selling cheaper abroad
than here.
These Republican manufacturers VIII
find foreign markets closed agains
them If they decide they want tariff re
form more than party success mus
come into the Democratic camp With
flag of truce and be prepared to Civ
and take and be satisfied with a square
deal for all the people. The Democrat,
party has in the past and will in til,
future legislate Oh the tariff fairly TO
all classes, and if these manufacturers
have any special interests that are nov
protected by the tariff they must bt
prepared to forego them as they expec
other interests now protected from Ca
madam competition to forego their spe
cial protection. The people are suffer
ing from an era Of trust high prices
and any tariff revision bill passed BY
the Democrats will provide for a reduc
ton il not the abolition Of the protec
ton which allows the trusts to thu:
plumber the people. What the countr,
needs is revenue, not protection t,
trusts. and a tariff that will produce
enough revenue without the tax whicl
the people now pay to the trusts. Tha
ls the Democratic position.