New-York tribune., 1908-09-06
DIFFERENCE OF PRINCIPLE.


not be trusted to make a fair revision of the
tariff Those who are opposed 10 a protective
tariff and whose aim is to pat the tariff upon
a revenue basis can no more be trusted to make
a revision consistent with the policy Of protec-
tion than those who believe in protection can
be expected to adjust the tariff TO purposes
solely of revenue If, however, it be charged
that the Republican party will not undertake an
honest revision and that the application of the
protective principle viii not be worked out in
a reasonable and proper way, 1t may fairly be
retorted that there IS no basis 10 say the least,
for any greater confidence in the operations and
methods which might be adopted by our oppo-
nents in their proposed readjustment. The eX-
perence of the years when they last had the
opportunity to frame new schedules in the
tariff of 1894. does not inspire such confidence.
The rugged Cleveland was disgusted with the
work of his own party, and while he old not
veto the bill that was prepared he refused 10
give 1t the sanction Of his signature.
If there interests desiring favors it does
not follow that they VIII be denled mercy De-
cause the banner Of revenue tariff floats from
the Capitol. The difference is one of principle,
and is not to be confused by suggestions OF I'M
proper influences.
The Democratic platform proposes to place
upon the free list articles coming into cCmpeti-
tion with those controlled by the trusts" But
when Mr.. Taft points out that if such course
were destructive to the trusts it woulc certainly
destroy the smaller competitors Of the trusts,
Mr.. Bryan replies. with characteristic ease, that
he has "Cther remedies for the trusts" and that
it may not be necessary to use this one after
all What becomes of the question of the es
sential justice OF the proposal and what part is
1t to play in the Immediate revison?
MR.. BRYAN'S REMEDIES FOR TRUSTS.
When. however, we consider these other rem
edies that are proposed for the trusts, we find
ourselves journeying in a land of dreams. Again
the magician Of 1896 waves his wand. At a
stroke difficulties disappear and the complex
problems Of modern business forgotten in
the fascination of the simple panacea. And
the free coinage Of silver in the ratio of 16 to
TO destroy the curse of gold, the new
found specific of equal perfection is to remove
the curse of industrial oppression. The deluson
Of 1908 is comparable only to that of twelve
years ago.
vent duplication of directors among competing
corporations However advisable il may be to
have independent directorates Of competing
porations, 1t would seem still more important to
have Independent stockholders for a majority of
the stockholders of a corporation choose the
directors. If law passed preventing the
duplication of directors ii would easily be evaded
in the selection of men VINO would represent the
same interests. The most ordinary experience
shows that il is not necessary to serve on d
board Of directors in order control its proceed
ings. Whatever the advantage OF such a law as
IS proposed, II hardly rises the dignity of Il
remedy or vindicates its itle to q place in an
imposing scheme Of reform outlined in
tional platform.
But the more important proposal is that any
manufacturing trading corporation engaged
in interstate commerce shall be required to take
out federal license before ii shall be permitted
TO control as much as % per cent of the product
in which 1t deals" license is permission, and
the object of the remedy is not to regulate large
businesses but to destroy trusts Hence the
supposed efficiency of the plan is to be found in
the prohibition of the control by any such cor
poration "of more than 90 per cent of the total
amount of any product consumed in the United
States" This is another delusion of ratio
1t might be interesting TO inquire what is the
meaning of ANY product consumed In the
United States" Does IL refer to a class of
commodities And if so. how shall the classes
article OF commerce? And. If so. what account
does this proposal take of the skill and initiative