Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-08-05
TRUE PROTECTION

In explaining his idea of the uses
and purpose of protection President
Taft ranges himself with all the en-
llghtened advocates OF the protective
system. He is an orthodox protection
list, not believer In tariff taxation
for revenue with incidental protec-
| tion, CIR for revenue only with no re-
| gard for protection. Still less Is he In
favor of free trade in and for ITSELF
involving the iudiscriminate admis-
sion of foreign goods and the sacrifice
Of domestic industry In the expecta-
ton of enjoying a brief era OF lower
prices. The Presidents aim is to
strengthen and benefit American in
dustry as whole, and to do that he is
ready to levy high duties, moderate
duties or no duties at all, in accord
ance with the changing needs of the
situation.
The President simply goes back to
fret principles. Our protective tariffs
have been framed to keep importa-
tions from entering to such an extent
as to control prices here and to de-
stroy domestic competition. 1t was
the sound doctrine of the propounders
Of the protective theory that national
ends would be served by diversifying in
dustry, building up manufactures aud
enabling the people of the United
States tc supply their own wants more
fully and to control their own market.
The protective system was a national
Investment, and it was intended that
the country should reap return not
only in an increase of wealth and
economic efficiency, but In the cheaper
prices which would come when Amer
lean industries should be able to stand
alone and meet foreign competition.
1t was intended to give the producer
here fair start. But it was also in
tended that he should repay the as
sistance extended by the nation by
slriving to lower the cost of produc-
tion, sharing with the consumer the
benefits of the progress made In inven-
ton aud labor economies.
The success of a system OF protection
involves gradual lowering of duties.
AS an American industry develops the
margin of duty needed to keep out
threatening importations necessarily
shrinks. Import. tions cease gradual
ly to be source OF danger. They be-
come, in fact, only beneficially
negative influence in checking exces-
sive prices demanded at home for do
nestle products. The progress OF the
iron and steel industry illustrates that
transformation. Thirty years ago
foreign iron and steel could have
driven American iron and steel out OF
our market. To-day American iron
and steel makers sell their products
abroad, and have practically no COM
petition at home. Protective duties
on iron and steel are no longer needed
except to discourage dumping here In
hard times. On the other hand, 1t
has become desirable to permit steel
and iron manufactures to enter at low
rates in good times In order to act ss
. check on too high prices here.
From the true protectionist point OF
view over protection Is an evil as we'll
as interpretation. Excessive rates
encourage the belief that the govern
| ment owes an indefinite support to
domestic industries, when 1t really
means to offer them a chance to show
their capacity to make progress and to
| give return for the benefit of pro-
lection. There has been too great a
disposition shown by some OF the pro-
tected intetests to challenge the law that
duties should generally decrease rs in
dustries mature. The average differ
entail in cost OF production here and
abroad has undoubtedly decreased be-
tween 1897 and 1909. President Taft
therefore expresses the orthodox pro-
tectionist view and gives voice to the
demand OF the great majority OF the
voters OF the country, who are also
stanchly protectiOnist, when he argues
that q revision now should be down
ward AMI that revision five or ter
years hence will probably be still more
downward. st and -patism" lie AZ
obnoxious perversion OF protective
doctrine. Tariff rates should no
stand fast while industry is every
where showing exceptional progress
REIMBURSEMENT to meet changed con
ditions, BY lowering duties where pres
emit rates are no longer needed, and Il
special instances by dispensing witt
them altogether, h the logical aim Of
protectionist revision Of the tariff. :
J New York Tribune.