The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-10-14
(By Clyde II. Tavenner)

Washington, Oct. 13-When the
Payne-Aldrich bill was before the Sen
ate, blind Senator Tom P. Gore of Ok
lahoma staked his reputation that If
the measure was passed extreme high
prices would follow.
The prophecy was fulfilled. Average
prices rose more than IL 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 protectionist
countries that tariff revision upward
means increased prices. 1t is not gen
orally realized how rapidly the price
of tariff-protected articles rose after
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 ad-
yanced 81 per cent or at the rate of 8
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
$1.36 a keg, in August, 1898, to 1888,
in December, 1899-160 per cent in 16
months.
The price of barb wire rose from
S1.65 per 100 pounds in August, 1897,
to $4.13, in December, 1S99-15O per
cent in 2 years.
The price of window glass rose from
$1,75 box, in April, 1897, to $3.50, in
April, 19O1--175 PEI cent in years.
The Dingley tariff made the trusts,
and the trust put up the prices. But
few, II any, trusts were formed dur
ing the three years of the compare
lively low duties of the Wilson bill.
When the German government in
troduced its tariff law of 1902, 1t pub
lished an explanation which contained
the frank statement that finland pric-
es are raised, so far as a considera-
tion of the circumstances of the last
ten years will allow us to Judge, in
proportion to the duties"
In France, Italy, and some other
European countries part OF the mum
icipal revenue is raised by duties on
goods entering the towns. At the
gates of such towns there is an official
who collects this tax, and 1t is found
that the difference in prices of ar
ticles purchased outside of the towns
and within the towns is in nearly ev-
cry 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 and the har-
vester trust are willing to contribute
large sums to the campaign funds Of
President Taft and Republican candi'
dates for congress and are unwilling
to contribute to the funds of Demo
cratic candidates, is that the Repub-
lican party is the party of excessive
protection, Tariff revision upward
means increased prices. and the tar
iff trusts know that they can collect
from the people In new profits what
ever sums they may invest in the Re-
publican campaign funds.
After Election
The Republicans promise to make
public the source of their campaign
contributions - after the November
congressional election.
The report of the standpat Repub-
lcan members of the Ballinger in
vestigating committee is to be made
public-after the election.
Nothing further is to be said of the
$5,OO0,O0O Taft,Humphrey ship sub
sidy grab bill-until after election.
The soft pedal is to be applied to
the Oklahoma Indian lands thievery
until after the November election.
Nothing is to be done with the Lori
mer investigation-until after election
No step is to be taken in the sugar
trustfriar lands Philippine scandal
until after the November election.
And, last but not least from the
standpoint of relative importance, the
National Monetary commission, OF
which Senator Aldrich is chairman,
will not make its report recommend
ing central government bank-until
after the November election.
%
Another Case Of Larceny
Tho national Ranuhlican MIA tenrr, of