Semi-weekly herald., 1910-04-11
TRUTH AND FALsEHooD ABOUT
THE TARIFF.


The Payne-Aidrich tariff law has
been the subject OF much discussion
in the weeks that have elapsed since
its passage. Like all tariff laws In
the early stages of their existence,
this one has had to run the gauntlet
are almost Immediately apparent, It's
merits are not demonstrated except by
the practical experience OF many
months
That the new tariff law has faults
is generally conceded. There. never
has been perfect law. and there
never Will be; and II Il were possible
10 enact law that was perfect at
the time of Its passage, II would be
but a short time until faults and in.
iquities were developed in It,
Furthermore the payne-Aidrlch tariff
law has points of especial injustice
aud TO those points President Taft and
other Republican leaders have direct
co attention. The law is not as good
law as 1t would have been If 1t had
been passed according TO the desires
of President Taft; Il is not near so
good a law as 1t would be If IL had
been framed in scientific manner by
a commission
But II is already apparent that the
critics OF the new tariff law, and es-
recially Its Democratic critics, have
considerably overshot their mark.
Criticism that is merely partisan
in its nature is unreasonable. The
Democrats are attacking the PAYNE
Aldrich tariff because that is one of
the ways in which they can attack
the Republican party; and they are
not content 10 wait until fair trial
of the new law has been made. because
they have suspicion that the longer
they wait. the less there viii be to
criticise. Regardless OF the fact that
the progressive Republican leaders
have been the first 10 point out the
defects of the law, the Democrats are
raising cry against the law as a
whole in the hope that they may he
able TO win partisan advantage be.
fore the voters are fully informed as
to the exact facts of the case.
II is further evident that criticism
directed against the Aldrich bill along
the general lines of tariff argument is
not fair criticism OF that particular
law
The Payne-Aldrich tariff is frankly
mn
afford protection 10 American manu-.
facturers against the competition OF
foreign manufacturers and II was in.
tended TO afford protection to Ameri.
can wage earners against the under
paid workmen of Europe.
II is true that the growth and de.
velopment of American industry make
1t possible in an ever increasing degree
for American manufacturers to meet
european manufacturers upon their
own ground. and because OF more
plentiful raw materials. the superiority
OF American machinery. and the eraat.
er producing power Of American work.
men to reduce the selling price of
American made goods below the En-.
ropean scale.
The careful adjustment of tariff
rates from time to time is necess NY
in order to protect not only the Amer.
lean manufacturer and the American
wage Garner. but also the American
consumer. This was the principal task
of the trainers OF the Payne.Aldrich
bill. and when that law is finally |
judged. not by the partisan criticisms
of prejudiced partisans, but by the ac |
tual record of what 1t has accomplish
ed, the new tariff will be found 10
have accomplished the desired result
In an unprecedented degree.
AS matter of fact, the greatest
danger to be feared from the payne. |
Aldrich law is not that the TARIFF is
too high, but that the tariff is too
low.
1t has been sufficiently demonstrate.
ed that The new tariff law is an un.
qualified success as means of rails.
Ing revenue. But the rising tide of
imports. diminishing exports and an
unfavorable trade balance steadily In
creasing constitute warning that pos.
sibly the doors Of American business
have been swung too wide. for The
benefit of foreign competitors
The Democratic idea is to secure
these troubles by making them worse.
The American people have been fooi.
ed by that sort OF talk before, but lie
Democrats seem to think that they
can make it win again this year
Pueblo Chieftain.