The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-31
ALLusoN,s PLAN.

publican reasons for it are thus set
forth by The Chicago Journal
The Senator wishes the tariff revised.
with maximum rates. not TO put an enc
to the robbery of the American people
BY American corporations, but Tor the
purpose of Furnishing Germany ana
France IL they should conclude IT was
ports heavily.
The people generally do not care
straw whether Germany and France
do or do not tax American exports.
Some American manufacturers are in
terested in that question. and II is un-
doubtedly important to them. But the
great masses of American people wish
the tariff reformed for different
cause. They see that they are COM
PEELED to pay much higher prices fol-
most American products, created here
at home. than foreigners pay, even
though foreigners can not be reached
without heavy expenses of freight and
forwarding.
They know, for example, that 1t is
cheaper to buy American watches
abroad. after freight and three or four
landings have been paid for by the
at hoe ndee Gap ons New Il TO York say hs sr
chant buys American watches abroad
ships them back at extraordinary ex-
pense. and still can sell them cheaper
bought them in the next block.
This sort of thing makes Americans
think. and the result of their thought
things possible must be reformed, tbs
sooner the better. We are willing to
be taxed for the benefit OF American
labor but when II comes to being
taxed for the benefit of American cor
porations which would still be rich II
draw the line
can statesmen might Just as well TN
derstand now that the people Will in
sist next year that the tarin be re-
foreign nations but for for the sake Of
relieving our own citizens from cold
blooded robbery.
There has been a good deal of talk
in administration circles of late rela-
tive TO the evil effects our tariff laws
have on certain foreign trade, but we
fail to find anything coming from the
same source about the injustice and
burden of the tariff towards our own
people. 1t is a highly desirable thing,
from the administrations viewpoint.
that the tariff laws be amended and
modified SO as to satisfy Germany and
France and probably other foreign
countries. but 1t is not considered
worth while TO so equalize the sched-
ules as to be fair to our own people.
The reason Is that our present laws
may offend these foreign customers
and cause them to retaliate in such
manner as to seriously endanger
American Notwithstanding the tariff
fostered trustsAbut as our own people
are compelled to purchase the high
price commodities, II is not necessary
to consider or protect their interests.
That is administration Republican
ism.
The example given in the above
article of watches sold to foreigners,
then shipped back here and sold to
American customers cheaper than the
same customers could buy them from
the home manufacturers, is glazing
instance of the unfairness of present
tariff laws, but the same thing has
been demonstrated before, and there is
no reason to doubt the truth of the
statement. Taking watches as an ex-
ample, 1t is shown that IL there were
no import duty on them. or only a
reasonable one. the foreign articles
could be imported and sold cheaper than
they can be manufactured here; con-
sequently, they must be practically
shut out.
The journal thinks the people will
demand that the tariff shall be re-
vissd next year. which means after the
next election, for the present Congress
will do nothing for fear of the effect
it would have on the elections In 1908.
If the standpat doctrine is endorsed at
the polls in 1908. we need not expect
! any relief from the Republicans, but
| If, on the other hand, there is a clear
demand expressed by the people for
revision, it may come. At present the
Party is determined to dodge or stave
1t might have on the elections next
year.
| This is a protective tariff country
declares The New York Mail, and 1t
| goes on with the usual chant about
| the tariff being revised al the proper
time and by its friends. The people
! who are the sufferers are fully aware
| Lnat II is a prOIeCtlNe tdTlu country,
and they also know that 1t is not for
the good or the benefit of the people at
large, but of those who are privileged
to benefit by 1t. AS for revising it
"at the proper time" no one doubts it.
provided, those who believe in it ever
find that proper time of which we
entertain grave doubts. And if the
friends are to do the revising, We may
feel assured that it will not be done in
such way as to be of any real benefit
to the consumers. nor do harm to the
protected interests. In short, judging
the future by the past. We can only
look on Republican promises along this
! line as delusion and a snare.
WHAT Is THE USE.
If there is one thing more unprofit-
able. and unconvincing than another,
it is the discussion on the subject of
English grammar that some of our be-
loved brethren of the press are con-
tinually indulging in. Possibly it is
because they have nothing better TO do.