The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-19
ORE PRODUCERS AND TARIFF.

The ore producers of Utah do we'll
TO be alert with respect TO the tariff
hearings that are now before the House
Committee on Ways and Means in
Washington. They have arranged for
n meeting to be held tomorrow even
ing in the Commercial club rooms, to
formulate protest against tho re-
duction in the tariff on lead, and per
haps to send a delegation to Washing
ton TO protest against any reduction
in that tariff.
1t has come to the notice of the lead
producers that certain interests arc
working powerfully to get cheap lead
for manufacturing purposes. But cheap
lead means low prices for lead pro-
duced, aud so harassmeut to the
Utah mine owners and ore producers.
The lead tariff is mono TOO bigh to meet
the requirements. of lead mining in
Utah and in all this mountain mining
region. Without the tariff, the price Of
lead would drop at once, and many oe
the mines would suffer hardship, if it
did not happen that they would be oh
liged to close down altogether.
In former time in Utah when this
question was up. prominent miue man
ager, au unyielding Democrat, gave
countenance at Democratic meeting
to tho slogan, i'Who's afraid of free
lead7" Before election he was not
afraid of free lead. He was not in the
least alarmed politically at the triumph
OF party that was committed to tax
ing the tariff of from lead. I'm
mediately after election, however,
when tho question of the lead tariff
became acute, this Democrat who was
not afraid Of free lead promptly con-
tributed five hundred dollars to a fund
10 send on delegation TO protest
against any reduction at all in the lead
tariff. Aud so ii always is on this
question. Politically, men are found
occasionally who arc not afraid Of free
lead, but actually and when free lead
is threatened, they arc frightened the
worst way, and are willing to put
up money to send on protests and
protesters against any reduction at all
In the lead tariff, Just as they should.
At the present time, however, when
tho whole country has decided for the
protective principle as carried in the
Republican platforms from the first,
and when Utah has voted distinctly
for the party of protection. including
the lead tariff as il stands, it
would be an anamoly and a
IL i'm
the Republican side Of tho house
TO have any tampering with the
lead tariff that would affiict the lead
miners Of Utah. In supporting the Re
publican party the lead miners hero
supposed themselves to be secure, so
triumph Of that party. 1t was that
party that gave them the lead tariff;
il is that party which is the champion
Of projections; il is that party that is
supposed 10 be watchful and energetic
in the protection Of home industries
But here is emphatically and specif-
cally homo industry that needs
precisely the protection it has al
ways been receiving. Tho threat 10
diminish or DO away with that pro
lection is species OF betrayal of one s
friends that is not 10 be expected from
the Republican party III It's great
triumph at the recent election. Utah
ore producers should receive warm
welcome from tho managers Of the
triumphant party in Washingto and
their protest against the reduction of
the lead tariff should fall upon friendly
ears aud be effectively beeded by the
National Republican leaders. We be
heve that this will be the case. But
it will not do TO remain inactive while
such a threat as this is hanging over
the miners. They should rally as one
man TO the defense Of the lead mining
industry, and The meeting at the Com
mercial Club rooms tomorrow evening
should be both large and enthusiastic.
And the expressions formulated should
be emphatic in this matter, aud de
cided in sending to Washington dele.
CATION Of earnest aud well-known
mining men, whose presentations Of
facts and Of the needs Of the mining
Industry Will be listened to with re-
spect, and. whose influence will be de-
cisive i'll holding the lead tariff at pre-
cisely the present schedule,