The Washington times., 1909-06-03
West Virginian Warns Sen
ate Against Sectional
Discrimination.
MAKES A SPECIAL
APPEAL FOR SOUTH
Tells Republicans That Mistake at
This Time Might Cost Them
Their Power.

Much comment is going around in
the Senate today concerning the attack
made on the Aldrich tariff bill by Sen
-ator Stephen B. EIl1ins, OF West Vir-
ginia-
For the most part, EIl1ins has been
voting with the Senate Republican or
aEnization on the measure. but this does
not indicate that he is satisfied with f.
He has made several vigorous protests
and none Of them more vigorous than
the latest. in which he declared against
discrimination In favor Of certain pro-
ducts. certain States. and certain sec
tions
+ AS he sees #, the tariff must be gen.
2 eral, not local, and it's benefits must
. be evenly distributed. He contends the
present bill ia important respects does
not do this.
Has Long Protested.
: Senator Elkins has all along protested
strongly against the btu as being fash
:5oned in the interest of New England.
Forgetting the interests Of West vir-
ginia, of the South and Of other sections.
His speech was in furtherance of this
idea, and his remarks were listened to
attentively.
Protection should not be mountain
high on some products and none or
Others" declared Mr., Elkins. ''The
present tariff bill must be made right to
last. Duties must be fairly and justly
levied, and distributed on foreign prod
ucts, with no fayoritism to States or
sections"
He warned the Senate that the Repub-
lean party had to build the tariff on
broad and intelligent. not narrow lines,
if It expected 10 stay in power.
Up To Republicans,
'sThe Republican party" said he.
"strongly entrenched as it is in public
confidence, cannot continue TO hold
-power II il fails to adhere 10 protection
=on broad lines, and Il " making the
tariff It diseriminates IN favor Of the
products of certain States and sections.
No section of this country could be
prosperous il part OF its manufactured
and other products were on the free
list or had only low duty.
"A true protectionist cannot be self
ish and partial: he cannot ask for a
duty or protection on the products Of
his State or section and deny It to
other States 5r sections With him,
protection should be an economic prin-
ciIle; not local, but national The pro-
70 INF sesrs
to American industries and American
wages, always having the good of the
whole country and the good Of the peo-
pie in mind"
Protesting against discrimination in
showing duties down on some things
and up on others. the Senator puts the
case IN this fashion:
IF there is 10 be a revision or change
IN the tariff downward or upward, or
however made, I protest why make It
downward on COAL oil, lumber. iron ore,
hide. and other Southern products and
not en- highly protected PRODUCTS. Why
reduce the duty on lumber 50 per cent
and increase or retain a high duty on
wheat barley, cotton. wooden goods.
cutlery, shoes sugar, ana many other
articles?"
Interests Of South.
Eieaulng lLal lle INTERESTS OF inc
South be duly watched over, he de-
clsred:
'"The South can stand free trade bet
Ter than any other portion of the Union,
but she cannot go forward and make
progress in the industrial race Of the
nation and enjoy that prosperity that
belongs 10 her, by reason OF her great
advantages and natural resources, IL
the products OF other sections Of the
Union have high duties and protection
and low duties or none at all or her
eproducts.'
Coal, oil and lumber, products in
(which the State OF West Virginia is es-
-pecjalIy concerned, were the chief sub
siecis of discussion IN Elkins' speech and
he urged that they be adequately pro-
atected. As TO these products, he said:
More than 100000 men are employed
Gin the lumber. coal, and oil Industries
sof the United States. The daily wages
paid for labor in these three industries
is about 3, 10000. or $3.50, coo annual
-1y. The amount Of money paid out each
pear for -he transportation OF these
products 10 market is about 5000 000, 900
Rsr annums. These figures are stagger-
Ing, but they show the Importance and