The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-04-15

of Congress, and which is more likely
10 effect each of us than nine tenths
If the work done in Washington, is
now going on, but many people have
been so confused by the air of mys-
cry which politicians throw around
the process, and the majority of folks
believe that this law is so complicat-
ID that they pay very little attention
to its details, and allow the politicians
to do about as they please. AS a
matter of fact the principles involved
in a tariff law are very simple, and
there is not a reason why every
body should not understand 1t, and
keep his eye on his representative,
to see that his own interests are look
ed after.
The first principle to keep in mind
about tariff is this;-A tariff on
any article is tax which is paid by
the man who finally buys that article
II there is a tariff of twenty five
per cent on gloves, for instance, or
on plows, the gloves or plows you or
buy will cost Us twenty-five per
cent more than IL there was no tariff
tax
Some people will try TO say that
il is the foreign manufacturer who
pays the tax. This is not true. The
foreigner can no more afford to do
business at loss than you or can
he makes his profits on all the goods
he sells, and il there is tariff he
puts the price just that much higher
and whoever buys must pay. The tariff
taxes are paid by the American peopl
by those who use the goods on which
the tariff is levied.
There are two general theories
about the right way TO levy a tariff
the Democratic plan of tariff for
revenue only" and the Republican
plan of tariff for protection Of
American industries"
The tariff for revenue only is
the simplest, and can be dismissed
with a few words. The idea behind
this theory is that in the long run free
and unrestrained competition between
all parts OF the world will be best
for each part of it, and that 1t will
result in all workmen being paid
such wages, and having chances to
buy goods at such prices. that labor
will so have its highest reward I'm
der this theory the only object TO
be gained by a tariff is to raise
funds for the support of the govern
ment, and the question which would
have to be determined by Congress
would be what commodities could
best bear the tax. That Is the theory
followed now in the collection Of in
ternal revenue, and IL 1t we're followe
in the rest of the raising OF revenue
there would be none of the present
excitement over tariff.
But fortunately for the upbuilding
of American industries, another prin-
ciple has been followed by the Rep
ublican party. This is the protec-
tive principle. The first step in this
principle is the belief that the good
of the country demands the stand
ard of living among Americans shall
be maintained on a high plane-that
Americans shall have certain advant-
ages OF education and comfort. To
accomplish this 1t is held to be neces-
sary that the scale of wages paid
workmen in this country shall also be
kept on a high plane.
Now 1t is a well known fact that
in Europe and Asia labor can be hire
for a lower wage than in this country
and therefore IL Is often possible for
manufacturers to turn out their pro-
ducts at a lower price than can an
American manufacturer, who pays
the higher American wages. The
foreigner, then II he was not
prevented, could sell goods in Ameri-
can markets at lower price than the
American. and could either force the
American to go out of business or
to lower the wages he pays his work
men. While 1t is true that all who
would buy the foreigners goods would
get the benefit of the lower prices,
still 1t has been decided that for the
sake of the American workmen who
would have to accept lower wages, or
the American manufacturer who woul
have to go out OF business. the whole
country can afford to pay higher
price for the goods. So a tariff tax
is levied on the foreigners goods SO
that he cannot sell them at a price
lower than the Americans, and all
who buy those goods pay that tax
for the benefit of the American manu-
facturer and workmen.