Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-08-20

manufacturing plants and the Inn
proYement in methods which have
been brought about in the last ten
years in this country, there is the
strongest reason for thinking that In 1
many industries the differences be-
tween the cost Of production in this
country and abroad has been reduc-
ed. This is an opinion Of mine
formed a priori because i am sin
cere believer In the efficacy of the
protective system ultimately to
cheaper the cost Of production. The
opinion has been confirmed by con-
versation with manufacturers and
others who knew something of what
they speak. 5.,+,..
Confirm alton Of Action OF National AS
ISOLATION Of Manufacturers.
am not myself a tariff expert and
am not sufficiently familiar with the
cost of production Of the various ar
ticles covered in the many schedules
to point out the particular ones III.
which such a change has taken
place; but my general conclusion
formed as above finds striking sup
port in the action of the National
Association of Manufacturers of the
United States upon this very ques-
ton. IT, =. AZ,
In that body of members of 1 500
$50, or 20 per cent, were radically
| opposed to revision; per cent were
opposed to revision at this time lest
it unsettle business; 50 per cent
wished revision; and II per cent,
were Indifferent or uniformed TAX
en- by industries, out of Vt different
industries tabulated, Sc voted for re-
vision, casting total of 1,510 votes;
| Is industries voted against revision,
| casting a total of 1O2 votes in
dustries were each tied in their votes, II
| casting total of % votes. 1- $e n:
The association then by resolutions
| passed by large majority declared
itself in favor of revision of the
tariff at the earliest practicable
date. - .s.:. ...:. ...... -t y. ILL.,
Objection is made to revision on
the ground that we are enjoying
business prosperity, that this will be
disturbed by proposal to change the
tariff, and that we should wait until
| hard times before we revise. can
not follow the argument. The re-
vision proposed is to be by the re-
publican party and is not to be de-
parture from the protective principle
but in conformity with it. twill
affect only those persons injuriously
who are making unreasonable pro-
tit out of an excessive 9rate. The
present prosperity is not dependent
on such profit. If it were, then It
would not be the prosperity of the
whole business community, but only
tof a few unduly favored at the ex-
pense of the community. In the pre-
sent temper of the people, general
prosperity has not prevented the
remedying OFF other abuses and in
Justice. I don't know why it should
prevent this. ~.
mad occasion in speech which
delivered at Bath, Meg,s now about
a year ago, to express my individual
opinion as in favor of an Immediate
revision of the tariff, but there
pointed out and only refer to it to
| repeat it and emphasize it, that the
| revision of tariff involves SO many;
oiHerent interests the country over
as that it could not be undertaken
successfully by the republican party.
and therefore ought not to be under
taken at all, until the party as
Whoie is in favor of it. I yentured
to express the opinion that the sem
t1ment in favor of revision in the
republican party was erystaIIizing to
such point that in short time wa
might expect to have action upon tte
subject. What has happened in the
last year has only served to confirm
the view then expressed, and it
now seems to me that even most of
the extremists in the matter of the
tariff are Of opinion that 1t would be
not only unwise, but unsafe, for the
party to fail in it's next national
platform to pledge itself to a reayi-
sion OF the tariff as soon after the
next presidential election as possible.
fhose OF us who favor Immediate r..
vision can well afford to wait until
after the next presidential election
IN order to secure substantial acoui.
escence by all republicans.
!, ! cannot close without comment on
!. the position Of advantage for the
J coming national campaign which
NJ President R00aavaJt ~, ii i, y - u. ...s