The Washington herald., 1908-08-22
Outlines ParyS Position on TaxatiOn-CallS the Tariff
the Most Lasting of Our Economic Questions.
Touches on Wood Pulp and Income Tax.

-uss tire question shall the people
rule9' as IL applies 10 the various issues
involved in this campaign. I begin with
the tariff question, because IL IS the most
lasting. Of our economic questions and the
one upon which the leading parties have
most frequently opposed each other
Other questions may come and 90, but
questions which affect taxation. Ike Ten
nyson's Brook" go on forever As
the government IS not Lady B0untiful
with unlimited means. but merely an or
gan5zation which must collect on the one
hand what Il pays out on the other. The
subject Of taxation IS an ever-present
one. We may discuss how much we
should collect what methods we should
employ in collecting. and how best 70
distribute, through appropriations, the
money. collected. but We are never far re-
moved from the subject OF taxation Iowa
has been selected for the presentation OF
whet 7 desire 10 say upon this subject,
because the Iowa Republicans were pio-
neers IN The effort 10 secure tariff revIs-
ion at the hands Of the Republican party
I come among them 10 define ana defend
the Democratic position on the tariff
question. because believe It VIII com
mend itself 20 them That the issue may
be clearly stated. 7 shall read YOU the
Democratic plank or This subject. and
then the Republican plank
The Denver Platform
The Democratic platform says:
We welcome the beIated promise OF
tariff reform now offered by the Repub-
lean party as a tardy recognition of the
righteousness Of the Democratic position
on this question: but the people cannot
safely trrrusr the execution Of this i'm
pOrtant work 20 a party which IS so deep
J. obligated 10 the highly protected inter-
ests as IS the Republican party We call
attention 20 the significant fact that the
promised relief was postponed until after
the coming elecuol-al election % sue
ceed in which the Republican party must
have the same support from the be-e-
tciaries Of che high protective tariff as Fl
has always heretofore received from
them and TO the further fact that during
years Of uninterrupted power no action
whatever has been taken by the Repub-
Ican Congress 70 correct the admittedly
existing tariff iniQUiries-
we favor immediate revision Of the
tariff by the reduction OF import duties
Articles entering into competition with
trust-co-rrolled products should be placed
upon TIE free IEsr- material reductions
should be made IN The tariff upon the ne
Cessi-ies Of life. especially upon articles
competing with such American mauufac-
lures as are sold abroad nore cleapIy
than al home and gradual reductions
should be made in such other schedules
as may be necessary 10 restore the tariff
10 a revenue basis
Existing duties have given -he manu-
far-ure-s OF paper q shelter behind which
they have organized combinations 70
raise the price OF pulp and paper. thus
imposing tax upon The spread Of knowl-
edge
wood Pulp Tariff.
We demand the immediate repeal o.
the tariG on wood pulp. print paper. Ium-
ber- timber and legs. and that these arti-
cles be placed upon the free list
The Republican platform says
The Republican party declares u--
eqci-ocaIly for a revision OF TIE tariff By
special session Of Congress immediate
y following The Inauguration of the next
President. and COmuerds the steps al
ready taken 10 this end IN the work as
signed 10 the appropriate committees Of
Congress, which are row investigating
the operation and effect OF existing
schedules. IN all tariff legislation the true
principle OF protection IS best maintained
BY the imposition OF such duties as viii
equal the difference between the cost Of
production al home ard abroad, together
with q reasonable prC6c 10 American in
6usrries.
mum and minimum rates 70 be admins
tered By the President under limitations
nEed n the law. the maximum 70 be
available 10 meet destinations by for
eign countries against American goods
entering their markets and the minimum
70 represent the normal measure Of DO
leclo1 al nome the aim and purpose of
the Republican party being not only 10
preserve without excessive duties. that
security against foreign competition 70
which american manufacturers, farmers
and producers are entitled but also to
maintain the high standard cf living Of
the wage earEers Of cLis country who
are the most direct 5euefciaries of the
protective system
Between the United States and the
Philippines. We believe in a free inter
change Of products. with such limitations
as 70 sugar and tobacco as VIII AFFORD
adequate protection 70 domestic inter
ests-"
Secretary Taft refers 10 this subject
briefly n his notification speech-onIy
briefy-bUt as 7 shah quote such pas
sages from his speech as are pertinent 10
this discussion, it IS not necessary to
read his remarks in full
Infant Industries.
L VIII be noticed that the Republican
party has abandoned the earlier argu-
uents advanced in support Of a high tar
q We hear 10 more Of the infant in
dUstries,' that must be tenderIy cared
for until they can stand upon their
teeti' there is no suggestion that the
foreigner pay the tariff" and nothing
about the home market These catch
phrases have had their dav-they are
worn out and cast aside. The RepubIl-
can leaders are no longer arrogant and
-nsoleDt. they cannot longer defy tariff
reform Their plan now Is % seem 20
yield without really yielding
! submit that The Democratic platform
accurately described the Republican Do
sltion when il refers 70 the beIatad
promise made by the Republican leaders
as ''a tGrdy recognition Of the righteous
ness q the Democratic position on this
question The Democratic PARTY in its
platforms and through its reuresentatfves
II Congress has for years pointed out
that the tariff schedules are excessively
nigh and cugLt 10 be reduced but the
Republicans have. until recently. refused
70 ac-n-r thai there was any necessity
Tor reduction They now confess. through
the-r platform and through their Pres!-
Dental candidate that the need for re-
vision IS 50 great as 10 justify the party
n declaring uneuuivocalIv for q revision
OF the tariff'' and the need Is 50 urEe~r
Iral the work Is 70 be undertaken At "a
SPECIAL session Of Congress Immediately
following The Inauguration OF the next
President The use Of the word --1u-
asHH asrnr I'D