Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-07-29
KEYNOTE SPEAKER LIGHTS
HARD On TARIFF MEASURE

~
Minneapolis, 3lnn.. juiy Ss-con.
gresham W. s. Hsmmond. temporary
chairman Of the Minnesota Democrat,
State convention. which met here to-
day. delivered me Keynote speech;
BE began IS dcploring the death
and extoilinE she life Of the late Gov
ernor John A. johnson. He scathing-
~ denounced the Pnync-Aidrich tariff
bill. mentioning specifically lhe lead
and wool schedule and pronounced
the tariff commission . mock polit-
itat subteriuge. a body %purposeiy
created without power OF action. He
also devoted considerable attention 10
a definition OF Cannonism.
County option and other local Issues
were not mentioned. He aaid IN part
The people or this country have
time and time again decided bv sub
sfantinl maiorities that the present
method OF protecting the domestic
manufacturer ana producer shall be
maintained ana while many question
the wisdom ~ this Kind of indirect
taxation. and the Righteousness OF
imposing burdens upon the many for
fhe benefit of a lesser number the
questions have become rather ucad-
emic and the adjustment OF the sys-
tenn Is not seriously contemplated.
There is a widespread opposition,
however. to excessive rates. making
The burden upon the consumer greater
than they should be
For Illustration The duty OF /
and l1-2 cents per pound on lead
bearing ore and 2 l-2 cents per pound
on piK lead makes the rate $40 per
ton on the former and $3.50 per ton
on the hitter. The total cost Of pro-
aucing pig lead from the ore IL from
So 10 $40 per ton, Say on the average
Of ss Now, suppose Il costs the for
eign producer less than xS on account
% the lower wage scale, he has 10
pay Then the difference between the
s. and the cost Of production here.
and the cost in the country from
which The import comes, ought to be
The amount added to the $50 TO fix
the rate on pig lead.
III could not exceed IS even II the
foreinn producer paid nothing for the
work. isat the tariff charge ~ $3.50 |
This ie one of the many excessive
raIes to be found IN the present tariff
law. Because OF such excessive rates
and such inequality, ihe demand for
o revision ana Encouragement Of the
tariff schedules has come from the
country. aud in tho last election
both prominent political parties IN
their platforms promised the people
that following the election there
should be a genuine revision Of them.
Fearing the Indignation Of a people
aroused ~ the reputation Of its
promises 20 them. the republican or
ganization sought 10 ailny the rising
storm Of wrath by providing for the
so-called tariff commission. The 500
commission has the power 10
investigate, but not the power to act.
~ has the power 10 study rates, but
% change them II mas The power
10 discover defects, but not 10 remedy
them. But It Is said 10 be a step IN
the right direction, IL Is not even
that. II the board would make q
fair ana impartial ana careful intesr
OF the tariff rates and tariff
conditions and submit It's report 70 the
president ana through him TO CON
sfess and the people, showing condi-
and stating facts relevant 70
The matter the Information viii be OF
value some time But in order that
credit be given such export It ought
he made clear that o fair inyestiga-
lion preceded Il and ny men unprei-
hs pfeconeeived notions or per.
sonal interests.
lnasmuch "a there has been no
revision ~ the tariff that viii square
with the promises made 10 the people
this country during the last cam
paign and which by their votes the
directed should pc done. IL is
now the duty OF congress to revise IL
accordance With the mandates Of
people removing as far al pos
sihle h inequality ia rates ana giving
consideration TO the consuming public
by substantially cutting down the eN-
cessivc charges contained Ia the pres
ent law II. IN connection with such
revision II seems best 10 establish a
iatlft hoard whether that commits.
slcn or board be empowered 20 change
fctes or simply 20 gather Information.
u should be a non-partisan body. and
lts reports should be made 70 congress
that al may know the results OF
the investigation. and 80 that the re-
suits may 50 TO the reading ana
people of the country. uncen-
iored. unabridged and unamended
tnd not changed or held back because
Of political necessities