Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1910-03-13

by a high sense of duty to their
shareholders in their great and use
full tasks regardless of personal
emolument?
| submit that it is a great mis-
take to believe that as rule the
foremost captains of industry In
our country place first the almighty
dollar-and please note, gentlemen,
not one of those named, most OF
whom | have known intimately for
many years, has failed to avoid the
stock eXchange-this order of men
never figure in deals or gambling
operations.
Ample Cause to Rejoice
The optimist finds ample cause for
rejoicing today. Look where he
WILL civilization marches steadily
to better things, one generation
building upon the work of the other
as the procession moeVs-all in or
derby march upward and onward!
Happy for us that we are privileged
to live in this century, notable
above all others for its happy sur
prises, it's almost revolutionary tri-
umphs and all in the direction of
higher standards of civilization,
drawing classes closely together in
the bonds of brotherhood. SO fair
Is the world that we fain would
linger and note the progress of
man, sprung from the lowest order
of life, but implanted within him
an instinct for unceasing improve
ment; his face turned upward to
the sun, and no limits set to the
standard of perfection he may
reach.
Now, gentlemen, after that avia-
ton excursion in the clouds let US
come down to business.
| noted that the tariff question is
i'm evidence i'm the west and l judge
also upon the Pacific coast, as it is
with us i'm the east at present. 1t
is a subject upon which L have had
some experience. Let me say,
therefore, that / consider the pres
ent tariff q very decided improve
ment upon the last. 1t is open to
criticism. Did you, or will you
ever know a tariff that was not?
l never did and never expect to do
so. Perfection was not written of
tariffs. Each beneficiary appears
before the committee. descendants
of the horse-leaeh clamoring for
more, every one certain of one in
contestable fact, viz, that the
article he manufactures can not
stand one particle of reduction of
duty, and equally convinced that
the progress Of our country inn
peratively demands an increased
duty upon It,.
Tax LuNuries of Rich
Now the government must have a
revenue. The question is how can
we raise this with the least pressure
upon the mass of the people One
startling fact, please remember, our
tariff is today less important as a
protective measure than 1t is as a
producer of revenue. The New
York Times recently called atten-
ton to the pregnant fact that it
yielded last year over $780, 000,O 900 of
revenue. All internal taxes yielded
only $260,000000. l know of no way
we can so easily raise about half of
the sum, say 5000. 10000, as by i'm
posing heavy duties upon the i'm
ported Injuries of the rich. If L were
a legislator / would guard that
luxurious fund and see that the
duty was increased wherever prac-
ticab e. Such was the advice 1
gave the congressional committee.
Adam Smiths doctrine is sound
that citizens should bear taxes
only in proportion to their ability
to pay. / consider the working
mans earnings give him no ability
to pay taxes; he should escape Just
as we exempt a small mortgaged
homestead, or as i'm Britain a man
with small earnings up to $500 a
year Is exempt from income tax.
Here is one of the most import
ant gains in tariff legislation that
mas ever been made. In giving my
evidence l stated that the commit
tee had not the data necessary for
wise action. The chairman asked
how the government could obtain
reliable cures as to the cost of
production of various articles they
lacked abroad My reply was by
having a commission of able, hon
est men, whose business it was to
visit the works abroad and obtain
reliable data.
Praises Pacific Coast
Gentlemen, one from the east
cannot but be struck by the activ-
ity prevailing here. All goes well
upon the Pacific coast! Not only
by your material prosperity have /
been struck, but also by the care
that is being given to higher
things. Not only are your public
schools zealously conducted, but
industrial schools, universities and
public libraries abound. Youth has
every facility offered, and there
seems to be throughout that pas
sion for education with which the
Scotch are credited. You are en-
gagged in laying the foundations of
higher civilization to come.
Happy are you in your conditions
and in your natural resources, and
especially in your climate, and we'll
you are playing your part. We
can scarcely believe that the Cali
fornia of today is that which we
read about only half a century ago.
When in my youth l published
triumphant Democracy" l tim
idly sent a copy as a young author
TO my friend, George William Cur
tbs. received in reply cour-
teous note. but he said the book
reminded him of his friend who
left with the band of forty-niners
for California-his letters contained
nothing but ecstatic comments
upon the sunshine, sunshine, sun
shine-all was sunshine. He wrote
his sunny friend this was all
we'll enough, but what of the sha-
dows? j replied to the sage that
triumphant Democracy" was
written at high noon, when the
sun cast none.
So with California. 1 find myself
somewhat in the same condition
as Mr.. Curtis correspondent. So
much sunshine; so few shadows!
Continued success, gentlemen, to
the land washed by the Pacific!
May it's future fulfill your most
sanguine expectations shall
leave your coast confirmed OBJ
timist as to your destiny!