The Washington herald., 1909-02-28
SOLVING THE TARIFF PUZZLE
Jack and Janet Endsavor to Find
Answer to Perplexing Question.
Fathers Replies Not Sufficiently
EIucidatinE and the Younger
Generation still Doubts.

Wonder said Jack looking up from
the New York Herald. according TO Tu-
dor jerks. what this old tariff is, any
how?7
What old tariff asked Janet
"oh. the one that We are going to
change this year
Why do you care about II II il is go
ing to be changed right away?"
But 1 want 10 know about both Of
them. her brother replied
Take one at a time said Janet wisely.
You don't know anything about it,
said Jack scornfuIly.
And you said you didn't" she rejoined-
Jack could think OF no good answer 10
this and kept quiet. But he was stiII
thinking. and when his mother came in
he asked her:
Mother, how do they make q tariff
What kind Of a tariff" she asked.
.'oh, just a-plain tariff" he said, puz-
zled.
They don't make IL; they Just put II
on she replied.
"On whst7"
WHY. on ali sorts Of things-on lux
uries. for instance"
But what is It for?- Jack inquired
ITS a tax, and is pat on 70 raise
{ money" was her answer
I Il thought" Jack remarked. after a
moment. that il was 10 protect American
1 industries"
/ Mrs. Townsend looked at Jack absently.
She vas wondering II il were worth while
to turn an old dress Of Janet's. So she
said. uncertainty: We'll. so Il is, Jack
so it is
But he was not satisfied. He vas out
TO acquire information.
If you don't know, mother. I wish
you'd say So That way Of 7aying Yes.
| dear. without a notion Of xlat you re
! talking about. gives ne a pain"
Mrs. Townsend heard this. and under
stood It only too well
| John" she remarked. severely. that
/ is not the way TO talk TO your mother.
/ I certainly can't explain the tariff 10 you
/ Just now, and it's not womeu's business.
anyway. II you are curious why don
you ask your father"
/ That vas why the tariff formed the
topic for discussion that night after din
ner.
Father" Jack began, Z an afraid I
{
| III business"
That wouldn't be strange" his father
said. laughing Il am sure there are q few
others that do not altogether understand
/ It. either"
/ We'll, father. think you might tell me
1 about It. What Is the good Of it?'
1T is a way Of making foreigners pay
for the right to sell their goods IN this
country They must pay Uncle Sam If
/ they want 20 sell things TO you and me. y
But Why"
80 they'll have 70 charge high prices, "
his father explained.
I'VE could pay high prices without hav-
ing 2 law about g." Jack remarked.
But people don't like 70 pay high
! prices, said his father. smiling.
Seems queer that We make q law To
make ourselves DO what we don't want to
dor' Jack returned
We don't We 90 Il 70 help American
industries-to keep foreigners from selling
things cheaper than our merchants can.
It's puzzling," said Jack. THE tariff
makes foreigners pay a tax 20 get IN
then We pay more for their goods. so We
can pay more for our own things, so we
Where do come in2'
Your. Mr.. Townsend asked.
'fYes-or the people Ike me-
why. it makes good business for Us ir
America. 1t keeps all our people at worh
and makes wages high
But why do we want to work. I've
always heard that Americans work toe
hard as Il Is" Jack objected
Some 90. but others don't work hard
enough"
Then I'd make law that people mus
all work alike, said Jack. and do away
| with the tariff. 1t is a mixed I'D thing
and no one seems 20 know about II"
That's ungrateful,'' Mr.. Townsend said
laughing, when I've Just explained It 4
you"
"Oh-if you call that an explanation.
Jack said But ii seems 70 me I'm more
mixed up than ever"
That may not be my fault" Mr. Town.
send said. SarcasticaIly.
Jack picked Up a mighty exciting booE
he was reading, thinking 70 himself thai
he would put OF studying the tariff I'll
he had to vote-maybe till later