The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-28
TAFT AND THE TARIFF.

Mr. Tafts troubles have begun before
his inauguration. and bid fair to in
crease with cumulative force. He is
being subjected so pressure by the large
and varied interests which profit inor-
dinately through the tariff, and he is
getting the first touch of discipline fre.n
the men who have griiled Roosevelt SO
Systematically.
Just when the promised effect of
Taft's victory should be felt in a wave
Of prosperity, ne finds himself con-
fronted with a sudden slump in the
stock market. depression in the steel
and iron trade, suggestion of reduced
wages for workingmen soon. Coinci-
dent with these symptoms of trouble
is a remarkable movement to postpone
any serious change in the tariff by the
appointment Of a commission te con-
slider it scientifically" As a co-opera-
tive force, every large concern in Wall
street is calling on the president
through stOck-inarket letters and 9TH
prwise 10 defer the revision of the
tariff until times are better and to stop
the prosecution of corporations by the
government for violation of law: in
other words, TO reverse the Roosevelt
policies, which they charge are respon-
sible for the present uncomfortable
business situation.
This movement has gone so far as
to compel a declaration by Mr.. Taft
that the first step toward resumption
Of normal conditions is the revision Of
the tariff and he wants it disposed Of
at once. In this he is exactly right:
postpoHement of tariff consideration
could only prolong the agony; until re-
vision is accomplished. no prudent bus
mess man is going to buy manufac-
lures or lay in large stocks of any ma
terial likely to be affected by a change
IN the tariff. Moreover. the mass of
the people are suffering unendurably
from the extortion of trusts and cOnse-
quent inordinate cost of living due to
tariff inequalities. Until It is definitely
settled what changes are to be made
in the schedules, the whole manufac-
turing system of the country. and the
is blocked.
From outward indications Il is ap-
parent that general. if not pre-ar-
ranged depression has been produced
tor the benefit Of Mr.. Taft and the ex-
ira session of congress. It may only
be an accidental epidemic Of alarm III
duced by the uncertainties attending
a new administration advent. but ii
looks more like combined effort OF the
great financial interests to intimidate
the new president and the congress SC
that whatever is done, the trusts and
their affiliated interests viii not be dis
turbed by impending legislation.
AS to the prosecution of corporations
inaugurated by Roosevelt, they might
as well be abandoned for all the good
they have accomplished or canpaccom-
plixh. The puerile fines imposed, the
paucity OF the punishment inflicted
even when convictions are secured
S~r-c v-Iz 70 show m Cutility of the
law and bring it into contempt. What
other course would answer better re-
mains to be seen. but there Is no doubt
that the so-caIled Roosevelt policies af-
fecting corporations have inflicted I'M
told loss upon the country without any
compensating abatement of the evils
sought 20 be remedied.
Meanwhile the quicker the tariff is
revised the sooner viii come readjust-
rnent of business 10 meet the change,
and the earlier will come the revival OF
Industry upon which any permanent
Improvement must depend.