Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-10-14
Washington Letter.
by Clyde II. Tavennes.

When the Payne Aldrich bill was be-
fore the Senate, blind Senator Ton r.
Gore Of Oklahoma ktaked his reputa-
ton that il the measure was passed
extreme nigh prices would follow.
The prophecy was fulfilled. Average
prices rose more than II per cent from
June to December, 1909. The prices
OF steel trust common stock more than
doubled in six months in 1909.
1t is the history Of all pro,ectionist
countries that tariff revision upward
means increased prices. 1t is not gen
orally realized how rapidly the price
of tarifi-pro,ecled articles rose afscr the
passage of The Dingley law in 1897.
From July /, 1897, TO January l, 1900,
the first three years following the
Dingley law, the cost Of living advauc-
ed 81 per cent or at the rate Of 3 per
cent year More trusts were formed
during this than during any other
similar period in our history,
The price Of wire nails rose from 81 So
a key, ia August, 1888, TO 1888, In
December, ls99--leo per cent Ia 10
months.
The price of barb wire rose from
sl.65 per 100 pounds, in August, 1897,
TO S4.lS, in December, ls99-l50 pr
cent in 2 years.
Tho nriae rf ,p;nbnu. uIaas rosa frnr,
Sl.75 box, in ApnI, 1897, to $3.50, In
April, 1901--l75 per cent in 4 years.
The Dlngley tariff made the trusts,
put up the prices. But few, it any,
trusts were formed during the three
years Of the mparatively low duties
of the Wilson bill.
When the German government in
trodueed its tariff law OF 1902, il pub
Iished an explanation which contained
the frank statement that Finland
prices are raised. so far as considera-
ton of the circumstances Of the last
ten years will allow us to judge, In
proportion to the duties.
In France, Italy, aud some other
European countries part Of the nun
iclpal revenue is raised by duties on
goods entering the towns. AT the
gates Of such towns there is an Off
cial who collects this tax, and 1T is
found that the difference in prices Of
articles purchased outside of the towns
and within the towns is in nearly
every instance exactly the amount Of
the duty. The same happens in trade
between nations.
The reason the sugar trust, the steel
trust, the lumber trust, trust and
the harvester trust are willing TO
contribute large sums to the campaign
funds of President Taft and republican
candidates for congress and are unwiIl-
ing to contribute to the funds Of Demo-
cratic candidates, IL that the Republi-
can party is the party ofexcessive pro-
lection. ;Tariff revision upward means
increased prices, and the tariff trusts
know that they can collect from the
people in new profits whatever sums
they may invest in the Republican
cam paign funds.
The republicans promise to make
public the source of their campaign
contributions latter the November con
gresslonal election.
The report Of the standpat Republic
ca nemberso f:he Ballinger investigat-
ing committee IL to be made publls-
ed after the election.
Nothing further is to be said Of the
S., o9o, 900 Taft-Humparey shIrsabsidy
grab biil-until after election.
Nothing is to be done with the Lor-
inner investigation until after election.
No step is to be taken in the sugar
trust -frair lands Philippine scandal
until after the November election.
Aud, last but not least from the
stand point Of relative Importance, the
National Monetary commission, OF
which Senator Aldrich Is chairfnen,
will not make it's report recommending
a central government bans until after
the November election.
The nsrionai republican platform OF
1892 contained the following paragraph:
"We denounce the efforts OF the
Democratic majority If the ouse OF
Representatives to desuoy our iafiu
laws pietemeal, as manifested by ihei
attaeRs upon wool, lead, aad lead ores.
Times have changed. Republican
candidates for Congress, upon the ad-
vice of Presidea; Taft, are IVY advocat-
ing aud promising tariti revision
"piecemealp with the intimat1on that
the schedules enumerated will he the
first one. tackled. In other words,
the Republicans have adopted ano. her
Democratic idea.
Thirty-fve per cent is the amount
of profit Armour&Co., forced the pub
lie TO nay last year. This became