Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-12-17
he mandate of the people is carried

the mandate of the people Is carried
out.
.'The principal plank in the Chicago
nlatform was the one which declared for
a revision of the tariff at an extra ses-
sion of the Congress to be called as soon
as possible after the fourth OF March
next. In that plank the standard by
which the revision could be made was
nlainlv laid down. 1t was agreed that
the revision should be made on the pfln-
cinles of protection and that principle
was defined further by the statement that
the rates to be fixed should be meas
IRE of the differences of the cost OF pro-
duction here and abroad with a reason
able profit to the manufacturers. rms
declaration devolved upon the party the
duty of determining what is the diifer-
ence in the cost of production mere anu
abroad. and fixing rate which would
provide a reasonable profit TO the fiiaiiu-
facturers. 1t did not provide for the
taking Of decree pro-confesso against
those in the community who could not
appear before a committee or congress
and be heard. 1t is the duty OF the coih-
mittee to make an affirmative eIort ~
find out the cost of production mere anu
abroad and to revise the tariH accord
ingy.
"J am a protectionist," continued MI.
Taft. amid an oUtburst of cheering
"Rut." he went ON. II am not one OF
those who believe that the policy of pro-
lection does not, in large degree, make
trusts and moncnohes easier OF exist
encc But the way to stamp trusts ana
monopolies out is not by destroying the
whole protective system. we should ho'
have excessive tariff rates so as to tenpt
monopolies and give the trusts an op-
portunitv to take advantage OF those eN-
cess;ye rates There have been those n
o,lr party who Gid not care how hlSh the
rates were fixed, but the Chicago plat
form showed by it's new definition OF /;
protective policy that the majority or "ul
party believe in a definite revision OF the
tariff as it now exists.
IF we do not fulfill the promise mad'
in the Chicago platform and make only
q surface revision, we will be made nc
countable by the intelligent American
people and will suffer the consequences
with which failure to keep promises uSu
ally is visited by the American people.
1T is better to have no revision a
ALL better that the new tarlH bll
should die unless. we have revision o
an honest and thorough sort on tn
basis explained by me and PROMISED
in the party platform. 1t is with tn
utmost pleasure that ] state my SIN
cere confidence that there is now go
ing on in Washington and will go on
an honest and thorough attempt to fint
the difference in cost OF production her
and abroad and to fix the tariff ac
cordingly The task is merely one o
evidence. and Judgment We mus
honestly try to do our duty and lhel
we receive the commendation of tn
American people"
Mr.. Taft took up the Sherman anti
trust law and said it was one of tn
Eoosevlt policies which the party ha'
pledged itself to carry out.
1--WE must enforce the Sherman act
| he said cor such notifications OF it a
will carry out the purpose of thos
who adopted the original Legislation
! This is not the occasion to discussion
Just what amendments are needed t
| the Sherman law. but I will say tha
| in reference to the railroads the pro
visions of the Sherman act on tina
subject should be moderfied or repeal
ed. This modification should make
distinction of the Intent with whic
combinations are effected. If Their
shoul be a combination to reduction
| the cost of reduction for instance
such a combination would be legal. O
| the other hand. combination intend
ed for the purpose of monopiization, O
control of markets. and the sitting Q
competition, such combination woul
be illegal"