Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-05-07
Where is the Consumer.

Where is the Consumer.
Senator LaFollette discussing the
tariff in his magazine with reference
to the consumer says:
Who forced tariff revision on Con-
greSs?
1t was o its chief beneficiaries.
They resisted revision and secured
pOstponement session after session.
They "stood pat" Their represent
atives in Senate and House were
proud to be known as "Standpatters.
This was a new term-a new politi-
cal designation. 1t was coined to mt
new conditions. Following the en-
actment of the Dingley law we enter
ed upon a new era. Behind the bar
rier of the high Dingley rates combi-
nations were formed and ''gentle-
mems agreements' were made.
| Through these combinations and
agreements, competition between pro-
tected industries was suppressed, and
prices advanced at pleasure. Those
who enjoyed this special pleasure
wanted no change. They could afford
to ''stand pat" They opposed tariff
revision.
But the consumer demanded relief.
The cost of living steadily advanced.
He was at the mercy of those who de-
stroyed competition and were fixing
prices by agreement. He had con
sented to the Dingley Tariff on the
| old understanding that it mattered
very little how high it was because
competition would amply protect all
consumers from extortion and allow
the manufacturer only a reasonable
profit after paying American wages
to American workmen.
With competition suppressed by
combination and agreement in this
country and the Dingley law high
enough to prevent competition from
abroad, the consumer was helpless.
He demanded relief. Hedemanded re-
vision. He would not be denied. In
every home where the burden Of high
er and higher prices is a serious con-
s%ideration the problem was carefully
worked out. The people understood.
Revision had to come. That mys-
FERROUS power in an enlightened de-
mocracy which finally marShals public
opinion for the right and makes it ir-
resistible, forced revision of tariff.
Political platforms could no longer
ignor it. Candidates recognized the
Inevitable and declared for immediate
revision. And it "a generally &C
cepted that this revision was to be
made with due regard to the consum-
er. President Taft in his campaign
so proclaimed it and said again and
again that it must be ''reyision down.
ward.'
And the tariff is being revised. But
who is here looking after the con-
sumer?
The owners of coal mines and iron
mines have been here. The big lum-
bermen, the big manufacturers Of cot
tons and woolens and plate glass have
been here. United States Steel and
Standard Oil are always here.
But the consumers of the country
VINO forced revision tariff upon Aid
rich, Cannon, and a reluctant Con-
gress are not on the ground to watch
the proceedings. The representatives
of special interests-the very parties
who resisted revision and were influ-
entail enough with Congress to post
pone it for years, they are here in per-
son,-they throng the corridors of the
capitol, pack the committee rooms,
interview members and senator's in
hotels and at their their home, load
their mail with urgent appeals and
cause them to be sent scores Of tele-
grams every day.
The Payne bill is the logical result
Of a revision of the Tariff by its
"friends''-the interests. 1t reduced
duties on forty.eight million of inn
ports and increased duties on ninety
five million of imports. 1t was revis-
ion against the consumer. It was re-
vision upwards.
AS reported by Aldrich, April
twelfth, some of the duties Of the
Payne bill which have been the SUBJ
ject OF violent protest are reduced.
Others are very much increased, lay
ing still heavier burdens upon the
consumer.
Let no n misunderstood. The
Payne-Aldrich bill unless changed.
will prove a sore disappointment to
the people generally. It will fall far