Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-07-15
The REAL DEMAND
REPUBLICAN JOURNAL FOR WISE
TARIFF REVISION.
situation as II Really Exists Is Plainly
Stated-Free Trade Not Con-
sistent with Needs Of
the Country.


from consideration by sober minds. es-
specially in the United States, il is still
cherished as a semi-religious fetish by
many otherwise amiable idealists. who
like 10 declare that the protective prin-
ciple is both an unconstitutional
theory and an immoral practice.
This economic school is one without
weight or significance in political az
fairs: and il is not now so dangerous
to Republican councils. perhaps, as is
Its equally misguided antithesis, the
extreme high-tariff party. who bring to
the tariff the same sort OF ecstatic ven
Grafton which free trade inspires in it's
enraptured devotees.
What the country needs today is to
get the tariff adjusted to the business
needs OF the nation. Invested alike OF
the high tariff worship and the free
trade frenzy. And when we say that
the greatest danger appears to- lie
from the high tariff than from the free
trade side of TIE argument. we base
That conclusion upon the persistence OF
the idea that there is a certain con
slant difference in labor cost of similar
products nj home and abroad which
the tariff Is supposed TO equalize as a
dineren;ial; and also upon the com
paratively small stress that is laid in
current discussion upon the revenue
aspects OF the new tariff law about to
be framed
The labor cost OF articles produced
In the United States is an inappropri-
ate basis of tariff rates. for the obvi-
Gus reason that in many cases produc-
tion Is cheaper here than abroad on
articles which nobody would seriously
propose should for that reason be put
upon the free list. The importation OF
foreign articles in any considerable
volume affords sufficient evidence of a
demand in excess OF the home supply
al the time at least. and there is no
reason why such articles should NOT
yield Just and moderate revenue for
the support OF the government. IL is
the American custom to lay these
revenue duties upon articles that are
In competition with our home pro-
ducers, rather than upon things that
We do not produce AT home. except i'm
the case OF pure luxuries. whose vol
untary use by the people justifies the
ievy or the tax. We admit tea and
coHee iree. Tor example, because they
are necessities of universal use: but
On SILKS, diamonds, works OF art
gloves, laces and jewelry. we levy
duties because those who import these
thinss are abundantly able 10 pay a
duty upon them.
In the tariff bill that is to he framed
'his winter, the increasing revenue
needs OF the treasury will play lead
ing part; ard il would be the part OF
wisdom and honesty for She revenue
aspects OF the tariff to be emDhasized
In the tariff plank that is about tn. be
adopted at Chicago. They who are
disposed to ignore or subordinate the
revenue aspect of the tariff should re-
fresh their memories by a study of
The Dngley laws construction. If was
made necessary by the failure of the
wilson law from the revenue stand
point ihat Democratic measure was
the first tariff that the free trade
party IN the United States had been
able 10 construct i'm many years. and
IL proved 10 be. not only the most
'iciously discriminatory and iniouitous
OF All our protective ventures but
from the revenue point of view was n
HAT failure. What Mr.. Dingley aimed
az ia the house and what the senate
amendments still more noteworthy
achleVed, was an increase In revenues
10 be obtained by extending the list ~
taxable articles and in some instances
by increasing the rate OF taxation on
articles already taxed.
The new tariff will have IN ha
framed with view to the revenues II
viii produce; and this fact should he
honestly faced and set forth. IL will
not be honest, and IL can only result I'm
disappointment and discredit. TO pre.
tend that the guiding principle OF a
customs act. whose end and aim Is an
annual revenue Of $3.50. 600 600 I'm
S50O,O0O.0oO. is an effort TO prevent or
w punish the predatory trusts which
operate by the same methods whether
their products are taxed or not by the
customs revenue. or by the internal
revenue. or whether they are trusts
ike railroads or gas or teIephoues
which do not deal in merchandise Al
all There Is no tariff on kerosene or
on copper-two trusts whose opera
lions are notorious The tariff ON an.
ihracite coal has been abolished with.
'ut perceptible effect upon the for.
'unes OF the anthracite trust. IL is
worse Than folly to encourage the idea
mat articles properly dutiabIe and en-.
ttled to contribute their share to the
national revenues should be nut ON
the free list and the taxes they pro.
dnce should be turned back to them
IN the expectation that in this way II.
legal combinations, Industrial or other
wise may be broken p.-Washington
Star.
Mr.. BryanE promise TO see that