Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-02-15

Y
while the increase not on articles of
luxury affected but about 5000, 100000,
as against decreases on about $4,000
100000 of consumption.
Revenues Decrease Deficit.
| Il repeat, therefore, that this was a
downward revision 1t was not down
ward with reference to silks or liquors
or high priced cottons in the nature of
luxuries. 1t was downward in respect
to nearly all other articles except
woolens, which were not affected at
all Certainly it was not promised that
the rates Of luxuries should be reduc-
ed. The revenues were falling off,
there was a deficit promised, and it
] was essential that the revenues should
he Increased. 1t was no violation of
the promise to increase the revenues
by increasing the tax on Injuries, pro-
yided there was downward revision on
all other articles. The one substantial
defect in compliance with the prom
Use of the platform was the failure to
reduce woolens. Does that defect so
color the action of the Republican
party as to make it breach of faith
| leading to its condemnation? | do not
think so. Parties are like men. Re-
visions are like the work of men
they are not perfect
Proper Protection Recognized
| The change which this tariff effect
ed was a marked change downward
in the rates of the duties, and it was
a recognition by the party that the
time had come when, instead of in
creasing duties, they must be decreas-
ed, when the party recognized in its
platform, and in much of what it did,
that the proper measure of protection
was the difference in cost in the pro-
duction of articles here and abroad, in
Guiding fair profit to the manu-
! facturer. There was dispute as to
what that difference is, and whether it
was recognized in the change of all the
duties downward. Particularly was
this the case on the materials that
enter into the manufacture of paper
and paper itself. The reduction on
print paper was from Sc to $375 or
about 81 per cent.
There was real difference OF
opinion on the question of fact wheth-
er the new duty correctly measured
the difference in the cost of production
of print paper abroad and print paper
Of the newspapers of the country and
invited the attention of the newspaper
proprietors who had associated them
selves together like other interests,
for the purpose of securing a reduc-
ton of the tariff. The failure to make
a larger reduction showed itself clear
ly in the editorial columns of a great
number of the newspapers, whatever
their party prediction.
Tariff Will Redeem Self.
'"The amount of Misrepresentation
to which the tariff bill in it's effect as
a downward revision bill was subjected
has never been exceeded in this coun-
try, and it will doubtless take the
actual operation of the tariff bill for
several years to show to the country
exactly what the legislation and its eff
feet are. 1t is perhaps too early to in
stitute the fairest comparisons be-
tween the Payne-Aldrich bill and the
bill which preceded it, but the Payne
Aldrich bill has been in operation now
for six months and figures are at hand
from which we may make a reasonable
inference, first, as to whether it is a re-
vision downward, and, second, as to its
capacity for producing revenue, for it
must be borne in mind that the pas
sage of the law was demanded not
only for the purpose of changing rates
in their effect upon the industries OF
the country, but also for the purpose OF
increasing the revenues, and the sue,
cess of the measure is to be judged by
it's results in both these respects.
Statistics Show Rate Decrease
"The bureau Of statistics IS author.
ity for the statement that during the
first six months of the operation Of the
Payne law, which has just ended, the
average rate of duty paid on all duti
able imports was zig per cent ad
valorem. The average rate of duty
paid on all imports for the same six
months for the 4 preceding years un
der the Dingley law was 2403. This
would show that the reduction in the
Payne law is 2.94 per cent of the value
of the goods, or that the reduction be
low the previous tariff rates is IL per
cent, showing a downward revision Of
this extent in those goods which are
dutiable But this is not all. Under
the Payne law GIG per cent of the
gross imports for the last six months
have been entered free, while under
the four years preceding for the same
six months the free list amounted tc
45.46 per cent Of the total importations
so there was not only a reduction OF
: duty on dutiable imports of about l.
: per cent, but also an enlargement OF
: about the same percentage of the free
list
Customs Receipts Greater.
For the production of revenue the
Payne law Is even more an improve
!, ment on the Dingley bill. During the
six months that the Payne tariff was
In force, from August to the nigh
Of February 5, the customs receipts
amounted to $166,002,S56.54. Under
the Wilson-Gorman tariff the
semi annual average was $50, ,625.
90. Under the Dingley tariff the semi
nual average was $130,265, S41.S4
Under the Wilson tariff the monthly
average was $13,S57, 937.65. Under the
l Dingley tariff the monthly average
was $21 ,710,973.64, while under the
Payne tariff the monthly average has
been s27677,142.75,or 100 per cen
tbop tho roonth1v aunra I'm