Evening star., 1907-08-20

po.icy and sworn duty is to prosecute, with
the fullest vigor, the corporations and in
dividuals whose fragrant violations of the
laws make 1t necessary to do So in order
that complete reform may be effected in
our business methods with respect to the
evils which have described.
Roosevelt and Bryan's Theories.
These same critics like to say that Mr..
Roosevelt has "out-Bryaned" Mr. Bryan in
his policies and Mr.. Bryan has lent color
to this saying by the claim that he was their
original inventor. No one who has given
the slightest attention to the attitude Of
Mr.: Roosevelt and Mr.. Bryan upon the So
cial and political questions Of the day can
for q moment miss the radical difference
between the two.
THE present business system of the coun-
try rests on the protective tariff and any
attempt to change it to free-t trade basis
Will certainly lead only to disaster.
Duty Of Republican Party.
1t Is the duty of the republican party
however, to see to it that the tariff on i'm
ported articles does not exceed substantially
the reasonably permanent differential be-
tween the cost Of production in the foreign
countries and that in the United States, and
therefore when changes take place In the
conditions of production likely to produce a
very large reduction in the cost of produc-
ton In the United States, 1t Is time that
schedules be re-examined and IL excessive
that they be reduced SO as to bring them
within the justification for the rule by
which the amount Of tariff to be imposed
under the protective system is properly de-
termined.
How Much Revisionp
All that maintain is that when after a
tariff law has been in force ten years. and
a representative body of protectionists in
principle and in interest, whose business
makes them familiar with the facts. and
who have no motive for Misrepresentation,
adopt such report as the one 1 have
quoted quo az from, 1t makes case for investiga-
for the purpose of determining how much
revision is needed.
The investigation in the end will be con-
Quoted by the committee of WAYS and
means Of the House of Representatives and
by the finance committee Of the Senate
The schedules are for them to recommend,
and for Congress to fix after they hear evil
oence OF the cost Of production in this
country apd the cost of production abroad,
and the conditions existing in each trade,
and II it shall turn out that popular opin
as that which I have cited here should
prove to be unfounded, then the revision Of
the tariff will be confined to minor in
equalities. But If the result Of the investi-
Satlon 1ustlf1es the report of the National
Association Of Manufacturers then the re-
vision of the excessive schedules should be
substantial, and the motive for the organ
izatiOn and maintenance Of unlawful trusts
to monOpolize the manufacture and sale of
articles in such schedules will be taken
away.
Argument Against Revision.
objection is made to revision on the
ground that we are enjoying business pros
perlty, that this will be disturbed by a
proposal to change the tariff and that we
should wait until hard times before we re-
wise. 1 cannot follow the argument. The
revision proposed Is to be by the repub-
lican party. and Is not to be departure
from the protective principle, but in con-
formity with it. 1t will affect only those
persons in1uriously who are making an un-
reasonable profit out Of an excessive rate
Ihe present prosperity is not dependent on
such profit. If 1t were, then it would not
be the prosperity of the whole business
community, but only OF few unduIy
favored at the expense Of the community.
In the present temper Of the people, gen
eral prosperity has not prevented the rem
edying OF other abuses and injustice.
don't know why it should prevent this
Those Of us who favor Immediate re-
vision can we'll afford to wait until after
the next presidential election in order to Sc
cure cure suDstantial acquiescence by all repub-
licans. Certainly delay of action for eight
cen months ought to furnish a reason for
no protectionist to invite the certain bust
ness disaster that democratic revision on
free trade lines would involve. More than
this. full time should be given for the on
Grafton of new tariff upon the business OF
the country before the people express their
opinion of it. The passage of bill by the
next Congress would mean the consideration
by Congress of the tariff in the midst of a
presidential campaign with all the opportu-
nifty for misrepresentation of its effect which
its practical operation for a year or more
would refute. Furthermoe with a pesiden-
tlal election four years removed we can
count on a revision less affected by political
considerations than If made in the heat of
a national campaign