Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1907-09-06
TWO TARIFF LESSONS.

Persons who are too busy to take an
analytical view OF the question are apt
to fall into the error OF congratulatinS
themselves and the country upon the
show,nR made by the United State Steel
corporation in it's statement OF profits
for the fiscal year and the announcement
that the United States treasury contains
a surplus OF ss7 900 COO.
The United States Steel corporation
boasts OF n net profit OF more than slS2,-
600 coo Tor the year. This stupendous
sum represents part OF the tribute the
people OF the United States pay Tor the
perpetuativu OF a national policy that
has long since outlived its day Of useful
ness, il, indeed, it was ever useful FOR
any purpose save that OF granting to the
few special privileges at the expense Of
the great army Of citizens who did not
come under its beneficeut favoritism
The protective tariff made possible the.
conversion OF the steel industry into a
gig antic monopoly, and the merging OF
all the varied interests in that branch OF
the country's wealth was a natural con-
sequence. No better illustration Of the
working Of this iniquitous policy is
needed than the manner il which the
great combine, the chill OF n paternal
government and the product OF a coun-
try's indifference, exacts tribute from
the people. 1t Is a we'll known fact
hat the steel trust charges American
customers more for the products Of its
mills than it charges the foreign Gus
iommer, and the protective tariff makes
The concern ea:e III dong it. The
american railroad builder pays S25 a
ionf for steel rails with freight added,
while the same quality of rails are sold
abroad for 80 a ton laid down, freight
I ee. The steel trust pleads that this
difference in the price OF its products Is
due to the competition abroad, which is
tire only in the slightest degree, for by
means Of its insidious business methods
it has reduced competition to the uar.
ro vest limit.
The steel trust simply takes advant.
ase Of the power that the protective
tariff bestows upon it to mulct the
American promoter out Of more money
th..n it demands Of the foreign builder.
Il:9 old-time argument is advanced that
the tariff is necessary for the protection
OF American labor, but ii is we'll to
re- .lember that American labor gets no
part VI the enormous sum that Is SET
aside, as net earnings OF the corporation.
Thus great profit or a gooa proportion OF
II, comes from the pockets OF the people,
and no part Of it goes INTO the pockets
Of the laborers. 1t is simply the excess
that is levied Tor the purpose OF main
tanning a policy that would impoverish
a people with fewer than
Americans possess. The people are
beginning to realize that a system that
enables any institution 10 pile up profits
OF more than half a million dollars a day
for overy day in tho year ii u system
that is unjust, unwise ind undemocratic.
Even tho tirmest advocates OF the policy
have commenced to notice this growing
sentiment, and the politicians whose
desire for success overbalancCs their
patriotism are seriously asking them
selves whether the tariff is good for
another president, meaning Tint they
have imposed upon the patriotic senti-
merits Of the people for success Mt the
polls in times past. Tho people are not
in tie humor to DO fooled in the same
manner again, and they ave about con.
cIuded that tho protective tariff brand
Of patriotism is not up to the standard
OF purity.
IL any further proof were needed to
empllasize the iuiquity of the protective
tariff, that proof liz furnished 10y the
surplus Of sS7 900 900 III The United
States treasury. This rpIus repre-
sents the excess Of taxes that are taken
from the pockets Of the people after all
the expenditures OF one Of tho most
profit Iate administrations i'm the history
o. the country have been paid. 1t
represents the sun Of money that IL
diverted from the legitimate channels
Of ira 10 and held for no good pose.
Tho United Statcs needs no auch eurplus
in its treasury. Tho money should he
In the hands OF the people, who arc its
rghtful owners, aud where IL would be
were it not for the cxaciions Of II tariff
that In a menace io the honest enter
pnses OF tho land. IL this country wore
u weak and inc~opseqnential nation a
surplus might be needed To give il
credit With other nations, b'it no such
condition. exist here. mo credit Of the
Uaitcd States is M good as that Of any
nation, but the protective tariff has had
no part In making II ~. Rather the
c0untry's credit is good despite such n
tariff.
Tho day is not fur distant when the
ills fron, which the country is now
suffering on account Of tho tariff viii
DO cured, aud when that time Gomez
American labor, American industry and
American will be the benc-
Gciarioe. - Fort Worth tTeSRs) RECORD.