Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-06-18

cult to conceive of any other important
worldwide cause in times of peace.
Gold, like lead or coal, is a commodi-
ty, and its exchange value with other
commodities is determined by its rela
tive cost of production. The fact that
the annual output of gold is over $780,
000,0 whereas 1t was only about $780,
100000 twenty years ago, indicates
clearly that the cost Of producing gold
is cheapening more rapidly than is the
cost Of producing most other commodi-
ties. That is why the same quantity of
gold will purchase less of other things.
That is why prices are rising in terms
of gold.
Tariff 10 Blame In United States.
We are not, however, helpless to
remedy the principal cause of the ex-
cessively high cost of living in the Uni
ted States, as compared with most other
countries. The remedy is simple and
easy to apply. 1t is so plain that it can
not be overlooked even by the numerous
Federal and State commissions on the
high cost of living. whose principal busi-
ness is. apparently, to befog the issue
and divert attention from the real
remedy.
do not hesitate to say that our inor-
dinately high tariff is directly and indi-
rectly, the principal cause of nearly
half of the advance in prices that has
taken place in this country since 1896 or
1897. Neither do ! hesitate to say that
substantial reduction of all tariff du-
ties that protect trusts, or that unduly
tax the necessities of life, would at once
rapidly reduce the cost Of living in this
country.
Such change in our tariff would. by
reducing the cost of living from 10 per
cent. to 20 per cent, not only promptly
allay the present dangerous discomfort.
but would, by cheapening the cost of
production in this country. give new life
to many of our manufacturing industries.
not a few of which are now suffering
because of the tariff-taxed materials
and supplies, and because Of the inabili-
ty of the people to consume freely at
present high prices.
MANY Mills Closing.
Many of our woolen, cotton and other
mills and factories are now running on
short time because the people. after
paying for food and rent. have not suf-
ficient funds with which to purchase
clothing. shoes. etc. They economize
in clothing and shoes more than in food.
But | should not state conclusions
without stating my reasons for them.
Here. briefly. are my reasons for think
ing that the tariff is responsible for most
of the extra advance in prices in this
country:
Prices advanced most rapidly from
1897 to l900-the first three years after
the passage of the Dingley bill. During
this period the prices Of protected Trust
commodities rose with startling rapidity,
while the prices of farm products and of
most other non-protected commodities
rose comparatively slowly. Since 1900
the prices of farm products have risen
more rapidly than have the prices of
protected products. These facts indi-
cate that the tariff was the principal
cause Of the advance before 1900. while
gold depreciation was probably the prin-
cipal cause of the advance since 1900.
Few persons. perhaps. realize how
rapidly the prices of tariff protected
products rose after the passage of the
Dingley law. From July l, 1897, to
January /, 1900, the cost of living ad-
vanced 81 per cent, or at the rate Of 3
per cent. a year. This was during the
''era Of Trusts" More Trusts were
formed during this than during any
other similar period in our history.
Profecfionisfs HsisIeading.
Trusts and high prices came with the
Dingley bill. The voteR of this country
should not forget these important facts.
They should not, and do not believe
that they will, be misled by the state
ment Of the Massachusetts "Commis-
sion on the High Cost Of Living" that
1.-THE prices of Trust-controlled com
modities have not risen conspicuously. "
Neither should they be misled by the
statements Of many leading protection
lists that the greatest advances in the
last 10 years have occurred in the prices
Of farm products. which are affected
but little by tariff and Trusts. Incident
ally. these protectionists now admit that
duties in farm products have been mean
ingless that the farmer has been fooled
by them.
That there is close connection between
high protective tariffs and high prices is
evident from the course of prices under
our last four tariff billss As shown by
statistics, duties averaged per cent.
and prices l6 per cent. lower under the
moderately low and less protective Will