Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-12
TARIFF

! N prise and ability lead the world.
II Our manufactured goods are sent
to every country under the sun and
sold in every country under the sun at
prices below those charged in home
markets.
| The American protective tariff favors
the foreigner to such an extent that
after freight and handling expenses are
paid he may still purchase American
goods at less than American retail
prices. American agricultural imple-
ments are found everywhere. They are
eagerly purchased by the farmers Of all
the world because they are the best in
the world. The European farmer pays
less than the American farmer for
American agricultural implements. The
products of American manufacturers
are found wherever there is railroad
or wherever q carpenter or mason is to
be found.
Foreign purchasers pay less for them
than American purchasers. They are
protected from the high prices charged
in the United States. American en-
gines are found on every railroad in the
world, and American steel bridges span
the rivers of all lands. They are all
sold abroad at from 30 to 90 per cent
cheaper than Americans can buy them
in the cities where they are manufac-
turedl
What is the reason7 The high pro-
tective tariff. In many protected in
dustries there is no domestic competi-
tion. But abroad there Is competition,
and 1t regulates the price. Is there any
Republican economist who is willing to
admit that a nom competitive system
is more likely than a competitive to
effect the greatest good for the greatest
number? His high tariff Is making for
non-competitive system, and among
the first fruits OF the non-competitive
system we find the trusts. which illus
trate to a nicely Socialistic co-opera-
ton In production and price. The In
dustry more harmfully affected than
any other by high tariff is the farming
industry. 1t is to a great extent an
wants are supplied there is big sur
plus of wheat, corn or beef, and the
surplus is exported. The tariff on
these necessaries of life is of no value
to the farmer. The purpose Of the tariff
on wheat was to make the farmers
think it was a benefit to them. It was
an attempt to fool the farmers. We
raise more wheat than American con-
sumers can buy. The surplus must be
sold abroad, and not only is the price
there fixed by competition but 1t estab-
fishes the home price. Wheat and corn
have ever had a higher value under low
tariff than under high tariff
To cultivate his crops the foreigner
uses agricultural implements made In
America. He buys them at cheaper
prices than the American farmer and
sells his products in competition with
markets.
The foreign farmer plows the fields
of Europe with an American plow,
bought from 80 to 40 per cent cheaper
than our farmers can buy it. To pull
verize and prepare the soil for seeding
llS uoSo ilA <AAlChiSebAi hAAO"S OSNSN-H
cheaper than our farmers can buy 1t.
He cuts his wheat with an American
machine run by power furnished by an
American engine, bought cheaper than
our farmers can buy it. He hauls his
wheat to the railroad In an American
wagon purchased for considerably less
than it can be bought by American
farmers. The chains, snaps and har-
ness on his horses are made in America
and bought by him for less than the
American price. The wheat is thrown
into bins or elevators. The scoops used
in handling 1t are made In America and
sold to foreigners for prices much
lower than those obtained from Amert- |
cans. The cars carrying the wheat to
Liverpool are run over American rails
which are sold to England at from So
to $12 per ton less than the American
price. Finally. the wheat is placed for
sale in competition with American
wheat, and controls the price of every
bushel raised in the United States. The |
tariff is a hardship on the American
farmer 1t does not protect him. 1t
robs him.