The Washington herald., 1910-08-16


Of the principal factors in the high cost
Of farm products was the increased value
Of farm lands.
Tariff Law Attacked.
The minority report Is signed by Sena-
tors Johnston, OF Alabama; Clarke. OF
Arkansas, and SmIIn. OF South Carolina.
Much OF their report Is devoted TO show
ing that the adjustment Of tariff duties
IS the principal cause for high prices.
The minority report charges that the
Payne-Aldrich law discriminates against
the poor consumer in favor of his richer
brother. A special attack is made on
the wool and cotton schedule and the
duties on steel and sugar come in for a
share OF attention.
The report shows that the increase IN
the production OF wheat. corn, and pota-
toes has kept pace with the Increase in
population, and that therefore the in
creased prices Of farm products cannot
be explained on the ground that there
has been an increased demand for these
products due TO the growth OF popula-
ton The committee point out as a sig
nihoant fact that the United States pro-
duced more farm products in 1909 than
in 1900. but that the expectation was
smaller IN 1909 than in 1900 The minor
ity invites attention 10 the fact that.
according to testimony taken by the
committee, the wages of farm laborers
increased 30 per cent between 1900 and
1909, and they declare that no such in
crease is shown in any Of the wage
scales in the protected industries.
The minority declare that another blum
der was made in the report submitted by
Senator Lodge. in which the conclusion
was reached that reduced fertility Of
land resulting IN lower average produc-
ton. OF increased expenditures for fer
tilization" was a factor in determining
prices OF farm products Senator John
ston and his colleagues quote from the
statistics Of the Department or Agricul-
ture to show that the average production
per acre was greater in 1910 than in 1900
as 70 every product entering into ordinary
consumption, including corn. wheat. oats
rye, barley, and potatoes. The Democrats
agree with their Republican colleagues
that overcapitalization has been an i'm
portant factor in bringing about higher
prices Of commodities.
Quote Consular Officials.
The committee quotes a number Of con-
sular officers. notably Consul General
Skinner, at Hamburg: Consul General
DENLY at Vienna: Consul DunnIng al
Havre. and Consul General BartIeman. at
Buenos Ayres, as stating that the addi-
ton Of increased duties has operated IN
all the foreign countries TO Increase the
cost of the commodity affected 70 the
amount Of the increased duty.
AS showing the effect OF tarin duties on
commodities, the committee cites the fact
that the tarin on broom corn necessary
70 make. one broom amounts TO one-fftb
OF l cent, but that since the imposition
of the duty by the Payne-Aldricb law
the price OF broom has advanced 10
cents. The committee shows that the
imposition Of the duty on sugar has com
PEELED the New York consumer to nav the
full amount OF the duty with Is cents
added on each 100 pounds consumed. more
than the same amount Of sugar would
cost in London. On the other hand the
shows that on the article of
coffee which is admitted free in the
United States. and made to pay duty IN
other leading countries. the American
consumer pays less for his coffee than
the price at which It is sold in any for
eign country where duty.is imposed.
Taking the minimum prices obtain
ing 0or cofree) "the American con-
sumner pays cents per pound less than
the English Cwhere the tariff is 3 cents
per pound. "31z cents less than the Ger
man (where the tariff is 40 cents per
20 cents less than the French
(where the tariff is 11s cents minimum
and 2S14 general per pound, and 4 cents
less than the Canadian consumer. though
his tariff does not exceed 10 per cent "
The minority makes a comparison Of
the effects OF the four tariff laws-Mc-
Kinley, Wilson, Dingley. and Payne-Ald-
rich-as TO the percentage Of dutiable
goods and relatives prices
From these figures II appears" saw
the minority, that the duty on all I'm