The Washington herald., 1910-05-23
The Tariff Law.

Editor The Washington Herald:
The political unrest due 20 the passage
of the Payne-Aldrich tariff bill is caus-
ing the leaders OF the dominant party
much concern as 20 which party will
triumph in the Congressional elections
The result Of the recent Congressional
elections in the Fourteenth and Thirty
second districts Of Massachusetts and New
York. respectively. is 10 many d forecast
OF the election OF a Democratic House of
Representatives in the November election
Whether or not the high cost Of living
is attributable 10 the cold storage plants.
the overproduction Of gold. or the recent
tariff law. the voters IN the two Con-
gressional districts have, by overwhelm-
ing majorlties, placed the blame on the
Payne-Aldrich tariff bin. In the past, n
tariff for revenue only has been a Dem
ocrauc theory. and a tariff for protection
10 American industries and the wage
worker a Republican principle Since the
exit OF the late President Clevelands
administration the former theory has
been rejected. and the latter principle
accepted by the American body polite.
In 1922 the Republican platform affirmed
in part that the tariff duties levied
should equal the difference between
wages abroad and at home" In 1886 the
Republican platform declared IN part
that the ruling and uncompronising
principle is the protection and develop
ment OF American labor and industry"
In 1900 the Republican platform said IN
part that I'VE renew our faith in the
policy OF protection 10 American labor.
BY protecting the home market compe-
uton has been stimulated and produc-
ton cheapened' In 1904 the Republican
platform declared in part that "the
measure Of protection should always, at
least, equal the difference in the cost Of
production at home and abroad" In 1905
the Republican platform FOR the first time
contained a provision that "in all tariff
legislation the true principle. OF protec-
ton is best maintained by the imposition
OF such duties as viii equal the differ
ence between the cost OF production at
home and abroad, together with a rea-
sonable profit 10 American industries"
II Is obvious that there is a substantial
and material difference between the
party declarations IN 1892. 1896, 1903, and
1904, and the party declaration IN 1905 In
1892, 1895, and 1900 the primary object OF
the protective policy o. the Republican
party was the protection welfare. and
development OF America labor In 1874
the chief object and basis of the protect
i've policy OF the Republican party was
the imposition Of duties that would equal
the difference IN the cost Of production
al home and abroad, which directly pro-
tected the producer and indirectly pro-
tected the laborer. In 1905 the para
mount object OF the protective policy re-
affirmed by the Republican party was
20 guarantee TO the producer a reasonable
profit on American industries. The fall
ure Of the party In power TO revise the
tariff downward is the complaint from
every section Of the country. yet there
is not one word in the tariff plank
adopted al the last Republican conyen-
ton that justldes the contention that the
Republican party promised 10 revise the
tariff downward What the party lead
ers promised they have fulfilled. That is.
they have provided what they considered
a reasonable profit TO American indus
tries. which Is equivalent 10 providing a
profit 10 the American pro-
Queer. even though the customer be COM
PEELED TO pay eXorbitant price Tor the
Of life.
The language Of the skllfully drawn
.arif plank the basis Of the Payne
Aldrich tariff bill. is plain. and If the
aw enacted in accordance Herewith is
TO the masses they should
tx the responsibility upon themselves
Ior indorsing the tariff plank In the plat
.orm Of the Republican party by elecung
is candidates at the last national cleo
ion. after the party leaders in conven-
ion assembled had hoodwinked the peo-
Die with the joker. "In all tariff legisla-
ion the true principle Of protection is
BEST maintained by the imposition OF such
iuties as Will equal the difference be-
ween the cost Of production at home and
abroad. together with a reasonable profit
o American industries" which is tanta-
Mount 20, plus a reasonable profit TO tho
American producer" regardless OF the IN
crest Of the wage worker. the farmer. |
md the consumer. The proposition, what
S a reasonable profit to American in |