The Washington times., 1908-08-22
Says Schedules Are Drawn
by Interests Seeking
Protection.
BURDEN PLACED
ON POOR PEOPLE
Declares That Public Cannot Safely
Entrust Revision 10 the Re-
publican Party.

the Presidency. fired the first big gun
OF the campaign before large audi
ence last night.
He attacked the Republican promises
of tariff revision and asked If the Dem
Ccratic party were not justified when
1t included Ia it's platform the declsra-
ton that THE people cannot safely en-
trust the execution Of this important
work to a party which is so deeply
obligated TO the highly protected inter
ests as the Republican party
THE whole aim Of our party he
said. in summarizing. lis to procure
Iustice In taxation We believe that
revenue tarin, approached graduuilys
according 10 the plan laid down IN our
platform. viii equaliZe the burdens Ol
taxation, and that the administrator
OF an trcOme tax VIII make taxation
sun more equal
Argument Abandoned
1T will be noticed that the Republican
rarity has D. abapdoned the earlier argu-
ments advanced IN support OF a nigh
tnrif. We hear no more OF the infant
industries that must be tenderly cared
for until they can stand upon their
feet there is no suggestion that the
foreigner pay the tariff and nothing
about the home market These catch
phrases have had their ,day-tney are
worn out and cast aside. The Repub-
lican leaders are no longer arrogant and
iusolent; they cannot longer defy tarin
reform. Their plan now is 10 seem 10
yield without really yielding.
I submit that the Democratic plat
form accurately described the Repub-
lican position when II refers 10 the be
lated promise made by the Republican
leaders as a tardy recognition or the
righteousness Of The Democratic posi-
tiUn OF this question The Democratic
Fr Frr In on ThTnIun
REPRESENTATIVES in Congress, has Tor
years pointed out that the tariff scned-
lIies are excessively high and ought to
be reduced, but the Republicans have,
until recently, refused 10 admit that
there was any necessity for reduction.
They now confess. through their plat
form and through their Presidential
candidate, that the need for revision Is
so great as 10 justify the party IN de
clariug 'unequivoc4lly for revision Of
the tariff and the need is so urgent
that the work IS to be undertaken at "a
special session OF Congress Immediately
following the inauguration Of the next
President
Plan for Relief.
There is no prospect OF relief from a
Republican President and Congress. The
Democratic party, II intrusted with pow
er, can and will reduce the tarif.
THE Democratic platform not only de-
mands q reduction of the tariff, but 1t
plainly outlines the course 10 be pur-
sUed in securing the reduction. It be-
gins by proposing that articles which
come into competition with articles con-
trolled by trust be placed on the free
list. What better place TO begin?
Years ago, Mr.. HavemeyeT, the head Of
the Sugar Trust, said that the tariff was
the mother OF trusts-and her children
are many, Secretary Taft, IN his notifi-
cation speech, says that an excessive
taBn serves no useIul purpose, but Of
fers temptation TO those who would
mOnOpoize the production and the sale
OF such articles in this country, to
profit by the excessive rate.
Now suppose the manufacturers. who
have been favored by legislation. do
conspire against the public and enter
into a monopoly. What penalty do the
Republicans suggest? None whatever.
These men are 10 be consulted about
proposed changes. and II The next Re
publican tari1 is made like former Re-
publican tariffs, nothing will be done
without the unanimous consent OF the
benehciarieSs
What would be the effect OF the rem
edy proposed by the Democratic plat
fOrm2 Simply this. a law goes into ef-
feet at some fixed date Ia the future,
and II the Democrats pass q law put
ting upon the free list articles coming
into competition with those controlled
by trust, the trust viii have until
that date TO dissolve. II the trust con-
siders the law too drastic H. can avoid
II by giving up It's monopoly.
Contradicts Taft.
Secretary Taft calls this remedy ut
terIy destructive and in his anxiety to
prevent II Overlooks the fact that the
Democratic party has other remedies
for the trusts II we can succeed in dis
solving existing trusts and Ia preventing
the organization of new ones, there
Will be no trusts against which to use
Of oh. ha
There is now a law against trusts. but
IL has not been sufficiently enforced 20
prevent trusts The Democrats demand
Its enforcement; If It's enforcement rids
tho country OF trusts, then this policy
which Mr.. Taft so much fears viii be-
come perfectly harmless II the T,eIEO-
Gratis secure control or both rae Eouse
and the Senate, they are pledged TO
legislation which will make a private
monopoly impossible. If the Republicans
retain control Of part of the Legislative
machinery OF the Government and refuse
TO join in the effort to make Q private
monopoly impossible, they are not in a
position TO complain OF tariff legislation
aimed ar trusts. If they refuse to as
sist US in eXteTminaung the principle
of private monopoly they cannot well
object TO legislation necessary to pro-
tect the people from trust extortion.
Dodged Real Issues.
Mr. Taft did not refer to the plat
form demand that wood pulp, print
paper, lumber, timber and logs be pIac-
ed upon the free list. Why? Because
the President vainly besought Congress
to enact a law embodying part of this
demand. It is absurd TO complain OF
the exhaustion Of our forests while we
encourage their destruction by a tariff
on the products Of foreign forests But
such legislation becomes not only a
folly, but a crime. when il is remember
ed that a handful of men mOnOpolize
the benefits flowing from the tariff or
these things, while the whole country
bears the burden OF the tax.
Surely no one Will object TO a re.
ductiOn being made upon articles which
come into competition with American
manufactures which are sold abrAaC
more cheaply than at home. The Ameri
can manufacturer who sends his good,
10 foreign lands and there, without any
protection whatever. competes success
fully With the manufacturers OF al
the world, does not need a high tariff
20 meet competition in the home mar
ket And there are enough article!
sold abroad at a low price to asSur,
q large advantage TO the American con
sumers through the CRYING out OF thil
TAFT. however. finds the great