Fair play., 1908-12-19
PLAN TARIFF RAISE
DESIGNS OF "sTANDPATTERs"
CAN BE PERCEIVED.
Repetition Of Action Of 1896 is Their
Idea - President Taft Must Be
the Main Reliance of the
People Now.

Washington dispatches say that Mr
Albert Clarke, secretary OF the Home
Market club. which the country should
take notice has established headquar-
ters in Washington in order to look
after things during the tariff hearings
before the ways and means commit
tee, says that the friends OF protec-
ton are to be congratulated on the
results of the election, announces the
indianapolis News. We should say
that that was a statement the signih'
canoe of which would better appear
later. He goes on to say, however,
that the obvious meaning of the cleo
tion is that the tariff is to be revised
on protection principles and brought
up to date. Equally the obvious
meaning of the election, from the
Home Market clubs view, is that the
emphasis should be put on the up
Business. Mi Clarke continues, has
revived in consequence of the election
and that there need be no fear as to
how the tariff revision will affect in
dustry. 1t Is full early to get to close
quarters on the subject, though the
admirable Charles Francis Adams
manifestly thinks that there is no time
like the present for doing anything.
But there is simply this to be said:
The standpatters will take the cleo
tion as giving them carte blanche for
such saturnalia on the tariff as the
Republicans INDUCED in after defeat
ing Bryan in 1896, when they passed
the precious Dingley bill to take the
place of the Wilson German law.
The people generally have forgotten
that the Dingley bill not only adj
vanced rates above the Mckinley bill,
but that it advanced some rates out
rageously under the hypocritical pre-
tense that they were to be lowered in
making reciprocity treaties. Mr.. Nc.
Kinley himself was deceived by the
standpatters in this. What followed
was the ignominious death of all reci
procity treaties and the maintenance
of these superexalted rates. Now we
are to have a revision which makes
Mr.. Clarke of the Home Market club
rub his hands with satisfaction. YouI
plain, ordinary citizen may well sit
up and take notice!
What We mean to say here as to the
| time being full early for discussion is
this: The ways and means commit
tee. which is prejudiced and packed in
| advance on the subject, is laying the
foundation for another tariff raised
and increased wherever any interest
wants it so, and if it be not possible
| to put it through at this session, tc
| have it ready as the basis for nego
! tiation when President Taft comes in
| Then will come the time, If ever, thai
! the country will get a hearing. Mr.
| Taft will stand against the combined
tariff beneficiaries or he will not. Th,
| people, the consumers, will either ge
some relief or they will not. Lincoln
| once spoke of Our tariff housekeeT
ing 1t is that. We shall have ]
with us until time in the future tha
need not be reckoned with now.
The question at this time is whethe
| the people are to have a proper meas
uhe Of relief, and President Taft vii
be in for a large measure of answe
to that question: For the present tn
standpatters are having it all thei
own way and are making the premise
to suit themselves. But they recko
i'll if they leave the people out. Th
question was not settled, as some c
them devoutly believe, by the election
| That simply opened il for a hegir
ming.