Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-10
TARIFF REVISION is
DEMOCRATIC ISSUE
BAY STATE HoURsoNs AGREE ON
SUBJECT
Comparison of Prices Charged in This
Country and Canada Shows Home
Consumers Are Being
Plundered

Special to The Herald.
BOSTON, Aug. a The Democratic
leaders Of Massachusetts-the Quincys,
Gastons, Hamllns and Whitneys-are a
unit in the declaration that tariff revision
is the issue upon which the national
party should go before the people next
year. Both the aspirants for nomination
as governor, Henry Whitney and Charles
w. Bartlett, agree that that issue over
shadows all others, now that trust curo-
ing and government ownership are for
the time being eliminated. Indeed, it is
hard to find a simon pure Democrat who
does not hold this belief.
Ex-Governor Douglas is as is well
known. an ardent advocate of lighter
tariff burdens. and the others named are
amply on record on this subject
Charles S. Hamlin said:
THE Republican leaders have appar-
entity determined upon another stand
pat campaign. Tariff revision is to be
postponed The tariff benehciaries are
to have their monopoly renewed, and the
American people are to be plundered Tor
another term Of years But what answer
will the people make to the policy thus
announced2 VIII the Democratic party
rise to the opportunity now presented Of
the United States?
Weary of "Protection"
THE people are weary Of the startling
increase in the cost of living under the
so-calIed protective policy They realize
that the word protection has today
very different meaning from what 1t once
had. Years ago it meant development
and growth. domestic growth. to be sure,
as opposed to foreign, but, nevertheless
growth. The home market was once a
term siguifyfng expansion Today, now
ever, the cry of the home market sig
utfies limitation and monopoly Certain
favored interests ara iutrauched under
the ramparts OF the DiugIey tariff They
sell their products, not occasionally but
as a regular course Of business, cheaper
to foreigners than to their own people at
home. So that an American citizen to get
the full benefit Of protection. should leave
the country and settle abroad. where he
could reveI in the low prices afforded to
foreigners by our protected interests
a year ago I made an tuves tigatiou
into comparative prices of American
products when sold in this country and
abroad. and I began with farm utensils
Prices Are Surprising
The result was somewhat surprising. |
randed $50 for a barrel churn to be /
used In Massachusetts,, while for the same /
churn he was content to receive 81 from |
/ Canadian farmer who wrote him at my |
-equest the churIf in both cases to be put I
On the cars free on board.
Similarly, a double-wheel hoe was Of |
fered to the Canadian farmer at s675. /
while the protected Massachusetts farmer |
was charged $3.50.
"a double-mold board plow was offered |
to the Canadian at $3.50; of the Massachu-
sets farmer, however, $50 was de- /
manded.
Il might go on at length, but these !
are typical.
This condition is by 10 means con-
fined to manufactures used by farmers
II prevails throughout almost the entire I
range Of protected industries
IF the Democratic party will only 4
a proper proportion among the
reforms It advocates, and now devote its 1
attention. without shirking other reforms. 4
TO a genuine reform Of the tariff, II i
will not only benefit enormously the I
great masses of the people. but II Will /
as well regain the political control Of
the nation, from which It has been |
ousted for ten years. largely because
when in power 1t failed adequately 10
reform this very same abuse"
William A CASTOR said: "I believe
the Democratic party should lay great |
stress in the coming campaign upon |
the necessity Of tariff revision. That
is one of the subjects which the plat
form must include. There are other, |
but not so important, matters for dis
cussion."