Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-30
TARIFF NOT TO BLAME.
NO ADDED TAX ON FOOD, SAYS
FORDNEY.
Denies That Protection Is Mother
of Trusts-Urges Trade
for Boys.

PITTSBURG. Pa. January 29.-Ad-
dressing the Young Mems Republican
Tariff Club Of Pittsburg here tonight at
a dinner in honor Of the birthday an
niversary of the martyred President. Will
liam Mckinley. Representative j. w.
Fordney of Michigan in the course of
tariff law was responsible for the in
creased cost of living.
Mr.. Fordney said:
Much, at present. is said about the
new tariff law having an effect on the
cost of living and SO forth. Such COM
plant comes wholly through misinfor-
nation.
There were practically no increased
duties on agricultural products. On the
other hand, there were several reduc-
tions The duty on hams, bacons and
meats in general was slightly lowered.
Dinner Table Unburdened.
I'm fact, the average man at his meals
can look over the table and find little OF
| nothing on which the new tariff bill has
imposed additional duties. But, If, al
the dinner, we choose to serve high
priced wines and enjoy a cigarette. we
can point to two items, at least, on which
the duties were increased. These are
| luXurieS that the poor man seldom par
takes of.
Il am quite willing to admit that 1t was
generally desired that the duty on some
articles of consumption should be low
cred. Such desire came from those OF
our citizens not we'll Informed as to raw
ages free trade would have on American
| institutions
Il will not admit that the tariff is the
mother of trusts. / do not believe any
Icorporation in the country owes it's eX-
istence to the protective principles, eX-
cept that protection fosters home indus
tries.
| The only unlawful trusts in the coun-
try are those that control prices to such
an extent as to destroy competition and
exact from the people higher prices than
will yield to the producer a reasonable
and fair profit for his labor and for cap
ital invested.
L would no more attempt to arrange
our tariff laws with view of destroy
ing corporations than 1 would burn the
wheat bin in order to destroy the rats.
England's Future Policy.
I'VE notice in England great strug-
gle for supremacy by the liberals and
the unonists. The people of that coun-
try are beginning to be convinced that
protective tariff would bring to them
greater prosperity. Without doubt, soon
er or later, England will adopt our pro-
tective policy"
| lr Fordney also made plea for more
work and less idleness in the country.
urging especially that boys be taught
early in life the Importance of labor.
| We have long since learned that en-
ployment makes men, said the speaker.
| so l say give your boys something to
do Labor will not hurt them: but On
the contrary will give them strength and
a constitution with which to fight their
| battles.
| Give your boys a trade, a profession or
| a business training. Put in their hands
| manmaking power and direct them TO
| work out their own salvation
Dick Defends His Party.
| Senator Dick, who also spoke. said In
part:
| This is not the first time the repuh.
| lican party has been under assault, nor
| Is it the first time the men prominent
| in its councils have been misrepresented
| and held UP in false light to the public
| gaze and the distorted imagination of
those permitting their prejudices to be
| played upon for the accomplishment of
| sinister purposes graVely lnlmlcai to the
| general. welfare.
| "Once again comes the question. is the
| republican party big enough and strong
1 enough to withstand the assault of foes
within and foes without? !. for one, be-
| lieve it is. 1 believe that If loyal repub-
| licans will do their duty present misun-
| derstandings resulting FROM misrepresen-
| tation will go for naught, and as the
| brdAd-minded policies of the administra-
| ton are better understood the country
will stand by President Taft, upholding
his hands in his honest and patriotic en-
/ deayOrS for the welfare of his people and