The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-04-18
BETTER AVOID TIE RISK.
Free Trade to Imports Means
Free-Trade Payrolls.

There are few persons who sincere
~ believe that a number of American
industries are seriously hampered be-
cause the protective tariff now in Oper-
alton increases the cost of the raw
material essential to prosperous pros
ecution. Among these industries is
that of shoe manufacturing. As near
ly everybody knows, the shoe industry
has made wonderful advances in this
country. From the old order of things,
when boots and shoes were turned out
mainly by the village cobbler and the
finer quality of leather goods in this
line was practically unknown. we have
progressed until American shoes are
made in enormous numbers in great es-
Establishments scattered all over the
country, and the product is unmatched
for beauty of appearance. durability
and cheapness. The excellence OF the
American shoe is conceded the world
over
The total output of American shoes
mag not be ascertained precisely. but
there is one feature of the business
that must command thoughtful atten-
ton. American shoe manufacturers
command absolutely the American
market No one ever hears of the
Importation of foreign shoes, except
possibly by occasional wealthy patrons
of Paris outfitters or when shoes are
brought here for special purposes. The
ordinary American invariably walks
in American shoes. But this IS not
all. This is attested by some returns
from our foreign trade. Last year we
exported shoes to the extent of $780,
100000, an increase Of over 200 per
cent in ten years. That certainly Is a
marvellous advance, and it is its own
rejoinder TO those who allege that the
tariff prevents other countries from
that, as little further inquiry will
show.
The United States is not only selling
shoes, the manufacture of which Is well
protected, but it is buying enormously
of the material of which shoes are
made. The imports Of hides and skins
to be turned into the leather from
which those shoes are made in 1906
were $S4.OO0GO and it is doubtful If
they would have been much greater
had the skins come in free. Under pro-
lection our home market has developed
al prodigious rate, and the consump-
ton of shoes has been on a tremendous
scale because our people have been
prosperous, have had the money to buy
and to pay for shoes. and have in that
way helped to keep the shoe manufac-
tories busy. while we have had a con-
siderable surplus stock to ship abroad,
as has been seen. The fault-finders
urge that the skins should come in free.
Then why not admit all other raw ma
terials" free, and when that is done
notify the American wage Garner that
he must accept the foreign scale of
pay, for that is what the free-for-all
policy means?
There is no argument for free hides
that does not apply with equal force to
hundreds of other articles. and If we
are to take that path strict impartial
it, points directly to free trade. But If
we adopt free trade we must adopt
free trade payrolls, and the intelligent
American wage Garner is likely to have
something to say before such finale Is
reached. And there is not one chance
in hundred that the abolition of du-
ties would iii itself be of any lasting
advantage to either our capital or our
labor. AS sapient observer, with past
experience in mind, remarks. foreign
dealers have habit Of marking up
their wares when the duty Is removed"
There are several sound reasons for be-
lieving they have not forgotten how
Troy Times.