Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1910-07-08
Plain Facts About the Tariff.

"A tdrlH law universally dCC0pIdDlS
we have never had Tariff legislation
may never reach that felicitous state.
In sharp contrast with the superflnali-
ties we have had upon the subject is
Representative Payne's straightfor-
ward defense of the new tariff in re-
cent speech in the house of represen-
tatives. He advises the members of
his party to pick up the glove, and in
the coming congressional campaign
fearlessly discuss the measure on it's
merits. On this subject, the repre-
sentative from New York speaks with
deep study of it's problems and wide
experience in tariff legislation cover
ing many years. He makes the fol
lowing points:
First while there have been some
increases in duties, the new tariff, as
whole, is substantial downward re-
vision. He gives the proofs in fig
ures.
Second, where there has been any
increase, it is either on luxuries, as
wines and silks, made necessary to
augment the revenue; or, if upon nee
essary to augment the revenue; or, If
essities, to secure adequate protection.
In illustration of the latter point we
have the increased duty on stockings
of 1.8 cents a pair. Before the passage
Of the present law, of certain sizes,
two-thirds of the stockings worn by
W0n1on ond obi1drnu tbic country
were made in Germany. We had the
factories, the machinery and the
skilled women workers to care for our
needs; but lacking sufficient protec-
ton, between thirty and forty thous
and young women were working only
half time. After the duty had been
put on, our factories began running
full time, our workers had steady en-
ployment, and we pay not one cent
more for stockings than we did be-
fore. In some casse, the retail price
has been lowered.
Third, the new tariff is not respon-
sible for the rise in prices, only as it
brought prosperity to the country, put
every one to work, and in that way
| brought about a demand that far out
ran the supply. On examining par
ticular commodities, we find that
| where the duty was reduced prices
went up, and in some instances where
the duty was increased, prices went
down. For example, the duty on lum-
Der was reduced, and lumber went up
| on every kind on which the tariff had
been reduced. But on shingles the
tariff was increased, and in less than
thirty days shingles went down. The
duty on meats and foodstuffs was re-
duced, and meats have gone up. In
the face of these undeniable facts,
how can the present tariff be held re-
sponsible for high prices? Further
| more, there is going on, all over the
country, gradual lowering of the
prices of foodstuffs. AS the tariff
hasn't changed, those who charged the
increased prices to the tariff must
now credit the decreasing prices to
the same law. to be consistent.
Fourth, the new tariff has vindi-
Gated itself upon it's maximum and
has not gone into effect anywhere in
the civilized world, but the minimum
has given us the best tariff rates of
| any nation in all the world, and the
best we have ever enjoyed Before
the passage of the Payne law, every
country in the world that competed
with us, with the exception of Great
Britain, had maximum and minimum
rate, and they were driving us out of
the market. Under the maximum and
| minimum provision of the new law,
the gates of the world have swung
wider to our merchants and manu-
facturers than ever before, and we
stand at least an even, chance to win
back the market.
We need make no apologies for the
new tariff 1t courts investigation.
Make the campaign from now on one
of education, and there need be no
doubts as to the complexion of the
next congress.-Leslie's Weekly.