The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-22

as his text Mir Taft's suggestion that the consumer or men prepared to speak for the consumer should appear before the ways and means committee come to Washington to advocate the present duties or stiu higher duties are to be divided into two classes. he says. "they are either thieves or hogs. I myself belong to the former class. I am tarin thief: and I have license to steal: It bears the broai seal of the United States and is what is known as the Dingley tariH.' I stole under 1t yesterday; I am steal- ing under 1t to-day; propose to steal anaer s,atcisrn ISmorTHw' TSa Tns wise call forced me into this position and I both do and shall take full advantage of 1t. am therefore a tariff thief are you going to do. about 1t? The other class comes under the hog cate- gory; that is they rush. squealinG and struggling to the great Washington feeet in it, they proceed to gobbls the swlll. We'll acquainted with those of this class. you know their attitude and their utterances. It is useless for me dc not belong. I am simply tariff thief, but as have said with a iioense to steaE''
 Mfr. Adams Is welI-known as tariff reformer-"a free trader" the protectioniests call him. He adds in his letter:
 a tariff reformer I would like to see every protective scheme swept out of existence; my own included. Mean while what inducement have I to go to Washington on a public mission ot this sort? A mere citizen represent no one; if I went would receive from the committee scarcely a re. spectfuI hearing. if any hearing at all and I would have to go at . consider. able expense both of my money and of my time. the last of which can least afford.
 exactly the position of myrtads ot others and then they say. We do moi exist.
 every occasion whom of late I hava had occasion to address an audienca any reference to protection run mad or to the tariff as the mother or trusts has invariably elieted a mora spontaneous response than any other utterance I could make, This feeling is abroad. becoming stronger and will certainly soon or late be in evidences
 s"Meanwhiie the tens of thusands of perons who feel in that way. like myself cannot afford either the time or, more frequently. the msney to before a committee which they know in advance is both prejudioed and packed agains them. To ask us to put aside our business affairs and at our own expense so to Washington on a desperate mission is asking little too much. whether the demand comes from the committee or from Presa- dent-elect."
 Little, if any doubt exists here at the national capital that Mir. Taft IS prepared to throw the great weight of his influence on the right side in this struggle, but who are the leaders in the two houses of Congress who are to champion the cause of the con sumers? Who is big and bold enough to break a lance with Joe Cannon ana Senator A1drfch7
 Mr Taft has rightly pointed out that the consumer should be repre- sented But since the consumer can not himself come to Washington, wac Is to speak for him, The people have an idea that they send ninety sen ators and 400 cOngfessmen- Wny should not these men champion the consumer? As rule about haH CT them arc gobhled up by the interests and the other half are silent or im- pctent because the Senate is ruled ny a high t&fiff coterte and the House by e'@"N alter welimsn