The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1912-10-30
IRVING FISHER
FOR WILSON.
Noted Yale Economist Appeals
to Fellow Progressives
With Clear Logic.
SAYS TARIFF IS THE ISSUE.

OAIO lAnITT ID lie IOOUL
Contrasts Three Party Programs and
Declares Democratic Attitude the
Only Progressive One.
iNote.-Dr. Fisher Is the noted author
ity on economics Of Yale university. He
was a member Of President Roosevelt's
national conservation commission.-Ed.l
write not as Democrat but as an
Independent Progressive and in the
hope that my letter may help other
Progressives who are wavering to
make up their minds to vote for vii.
son. So far as can see the only hope
Of progressive legislation lies in the
election Of Wilson. My reasons, In
brief, follow:
/. DEADLOCK IN CONGRESS-
II it were possible to elect Mr.. Taft
there would merely be repeated the
same deadlock with congress and fail
ure to secure progressive legislation
which has been experienced in his first
term.
Ii 1t were possible to elect Mr.. Roose-
welt even less could be accomplished.
for the reason that he would not have
a sympathetic congress.
2. DEADLOCKED ELECTION.-To
be still more practical, we should con-
slider that the result Of US independ-
ents voting for Taft or Roosevelt in
stead of for Wilson may be to prevent
~ ha hofn q
elected.
8. THE TARIFF.-If, on the other
hand. we Independent Progressives
unite for the most part in voting for
Wilson he can be elected. and, If elect
ed. can accomplish substantial legisla-
ton. because with him will be elected
a sufficient number of Democrats to
give a majority in both houses. To
this my bull moose friends reply that
not all Democrats are progressives and
will not carry out progressive plat
form.
This argument overlooks the fact
that the paramount issue of this cam
paign Is the tariff and that progressive
tariff reform means progressive tariff
reduction. 1t is just because the Dem
ocrats have been a party of negation.
SO far as the tariff Is concerned. that
they. If anybody. can be trusted to re-
form 1t downward
Mr.. Roosevelt would be equally IN
able and far more unwilling than Mr..
Taft to reduce the tariff. In his seven
years in Office he left the tariff un-
touched. and now he speaks primarily
as protectionist and not as tariff
reformer. He yields grudgingly to the
demand for tariff reduction. but gives
no clear argument for it. Instead. he
repeats the old fallaciOus arguments
to make our poor workmen believe
that high tariff raises wages.
Governor Wilson and his party. on
the other hand. are ardent tariff re-
formers In this respect the Demo
platform of the three.
Why should we blind ourselves by
the Introduction Of numerous other Is
sues which could not be settled in the
present campaign when we have be-
fore us the greatest issue of all. the
tariff. which CAN be settled?
4. ISSUES ECONOMIC. - Wilson's
grasp of the problems of the hour far
surpasses that Of Roosevelt or Taft.
Mr. Roosevelt has frequently admitted
that economic problems such as the
tariff. the cost Of living. the currency
and the economic problems connected
with trusts not only have no attrac-
for t,,k ho
derstood by him.
8. THE PEOPLES INTERESTS
Wilson is more truly democratic than
Roosevelt and more untrammeled In
his devotion to the interests of the peo-
pie as q whole. Those who
accuse Wilson Of recently adopting
new democratic doctrines because their
popularity would help him personally
should learn that. on the contrary. he
adopted them lin his fight to democra-
tie Princeton university when their
unpopularity in the circles in which
his activities then lay nearly threat
ened to destroy his influence and ca
reer.
/ g. PURE FOODS Governor Wilson
and the Democratic party have shown
a greater interest than either Taft or
Roosevelt in the protection of the con-
sumer against food adulteration and
other injuries to the public health. DR.
Wiley. although previously Republic
an. now has decided not only to vote
for Wilson. but to help him actively In
The campaign.
T. THIRD TERM. To elect Mr..
Roosevelt would deal a fatal blow to
the useful tradition against third
term. =" Nor do | think it altogeth |
er improbable that If Mr.. Roosevelt
were again elected president he would.
whatever bis present intentions, grad |
ually assume the role of benevolent |
despot- His natural temperament is
that of dictator
l write as one who still holds person |
al respect both for Colonel Roosevelt |
and President Taft and in no spirit of
personal hostility to either believe
that all three candidates intend to do |
right las God gives them to see the
right" but ! think neither Taft nor
Roosevelt sees the right as clearly as
Woodrow Wilson.