The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-21
CAMPBELL WRITES ON TARIFF BILL Is to Reduce High Cost of
 Living THE SELFISH VIEW Says Birmingham Cannot Expect to Be Accorded Treatment Differ
 ent From That Given to
 Other Sections
THE SELFISH VIEW
To tho Editor of The Aee-Herald.

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 The editorial in your issue of April PC, entitled House Bill No. s4415," fails to inform your readers that the articles on the free list are those which affect the consumers most vitally. In other words, that it is intended to reduce the high cost of living. When the trusts seek to make the people pay cxorbitant prices for their products 1t would seem to be fair that the people, through their representatives, should take away from the trusts the sup port which an reasonable protective tariff affords them.
 That exorbitant tribute is being laid upon the consumers is beyond any question. The positoin that if wire products are made in the Birmingham district, they should have protec- ticn which should not be accorded to products of other sections, looks self ish. Especially is this true when our "industrial leaders" or, at least, our Chamber of Commerce. is proclalming mingham as manufacturing center. If we can make things here cheaper than they can be made elsewhere, why throw away this advantage by sys- tenn of protection which enables our strongly entrenched competitors to keep our products out of the market. If we can not compete with other sections, we should quit making state ments to the contrary The proposed legislation Is intended for people in all sections of the country, and If 1t relieves them of some burdens it should help uA
 One difficulty which has been expe- rienced when an effort to correct tar if abuses is made is that the recipients of these abuses, scattered over the country, start the cry of distress and try to frighten the people and coerce their representatives by predictions of dire results. The story is as old one, and intelligent people are coming to the conclusion that 1t is threadbare. Nc good results have come from 1t, except to those who enjoy the special benefits. In the meantime the cost of living goes up.
 But one of the most remarkable things in your editorial is the state ment that 'the introduction and fla vorable reporting of this bill has al- ready caused the suspension of all work on the new plant of the Amer ican Steel and Wire company at Corey" This company Is a branch of the Steel corporation and the positive statement you make attracts attention. Can 1t be true that the Steel corporation, one of the strongest and best managed in the country, authorizes the statement that it will close down it's work or abandon it's plants when bill Is introduced and favorably reported in Congress, if the particular bill does not suit it? Was not your expression meant merely as an editorial opinion? If the statement was authorized, then will it not serve as a notice to the country that the Steel corporations policy is to be one of rule or ruin? I do not believe such 10 be the case. Its management has been broad and apparently conserva- tive and wise. It has indeed been charged that it acquired its vast hold ings in Alabama in violation of the sherman act. but 1t has been welcomed here as potent factor in the devel- opment of our district. If. because Legislation is not just what 1t desires, it Is willing to close its industries, throw it's employees out of work and bring distress in Alabama, may it not be invoking. instead of congressional