Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-22

diately following the inauguration OF
the next president, and commendS the
steps already taken to this end in the
work assigned to the appropriate COM
mittees of congress, which are now
investigating the operation and effect
of existing schedules. In all tariff
legislation the true principle of protec-
ton Is best maintained by the IMPOSE
tion of such duties as will equal the
difference between the cost of produce
tion at home and abroad, together with
a reasonable profit to American indus
tries.
1--WE favor the establishment of max
imum and minimum rates to be admin
istered by the president under ltmita-
tions fixed in the law, the maximum TO
be available to meet Determinations
by foreign countries against American
goods entering their markets, and the
minimum to represent the normal
measure of protection at home; the
aim and purpose of the Republican
policy being not only to preserve, with
out excessive duties, that security
against foreign competition to which
American manufacturers, farmers and
producers are entitled, but also to
maintain the high standard of living
of the wage earners of this country,
who are the most direct beneficiaries of
the protective system.
Between the United States and the
Philippines, we believe in free inter-
change of products, with such limita-
tions as to sugar and tobacco as VIII
afford adequate protection to domestic
interests
Secretary Taft refers to this subject
briefly in his notification speech-only
briehy-but as shall quote such pas
sages from his speech as are pertinent
to this discussion, 1t is not necessary
to read his remarks in full.
It will be noticed that the Republican
party has abandoned the earlier argu-
ments advanced in support of high
tariff. 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 pays the tariff" and nothing
about the "home market" These catch
phrases have had their day-they are
worn out and cast aside. The Repub-
lican leaders are no longer arrogant
and insolent; they cannot longer defy
tariff reform. Their plan now is to
seem to yield without really yielding.
Accurately Describes 1t
I submit that the Democratic plat
form accurately described the Repub-
lican position when it refers to 1.-The
belated promise" made by the Repub-
lican leaders as "a tardy recognition
Of the righteousness of the Democratic
position on this question" The Demo-
cratic party in its platforms and
through its representatives in congress
has for years pointed out that the tariff
schedules are excessively high and
ought to be reduced, but the Repub-
licans have, until recently, refused to
admit that there was any necessity for
reduction. They now confess, through
their platform and through their presi-
Dental candidate, that the need for
revision is so great as to justify the
party in declaring "unequivocally for a
revision of the tariff" and the need is
so urgent that the work is to be un-
dertaken at "a special session of con-
gress Immediately following the inaug-
uration of the next president" The
use of the word ''unequivocally" indi-
Gates that those who wrote the plat
form recognize that they are under
suspicion. They want to distinguish
this promise from the unkept promises
of the past by adding as emphatic an
as could be found in the die
tionary. If former Republican promises
had been conscientiously fulfilled, 1t
might not have been necessary to thus
strengthen the promise made this year.
The use of the words Immediately
after the inauguration is evidence
that the Republican leaders are con-
SciOuS that the patience or the pubic
has been strained to the point of break
ing, and it is almost pathetic to note
the solicitude which they now feel
about doing thing which. but for will
full neglect might have been done at
any time during the last ten years.
Are we not justified in saying that
''the people cannot safely entrust the
execution of this important work to a
party which is so deeply obligated to
the highly protected interests as is the
Republican party? The "fat frying
process has become familiar to the
American people. Pressure has been
brought to bear upon the protected
interests every four years-and to
less extent in the congressional cam
paigns between presidential elections
Ito compel contributions to the cam
paign fund in return for former favors
and in anticipation Of favors yet to
come It is difficult to overestimate
the corrupting influences introduced
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