New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-24
TO SMOKE WILSON OUT
Chairman HiIIeS Demands
Frank Statement on Tariff.

In an effort to get a declarati from
Governor Wilson. the Democratic can
didate for President. as to Just where he
stands on the tariff. Chairman Hilles OF
the Republican National Committee has
addressed an open letter to him
Asserting that the tariff plank in the
Democratic platform is extremely de-
structive and disturbing, Chairman Hill
les quotes the section which holds that
the federal government has no right
under the Constitution 20 impose or col
lect tariff duties except for the purpose
OF revenue. This would put our in
dustries and occupations on a free trade
basis, ruthlessly and without regard 20
business or economic considerations, Mr..
Hilles says.
yet You and your candidacy stand
upon this platform declaration" the
chairman says to Governor Wilson.
You apparently accept and indorse it.
You must do 80 unless you clearly re-
ject IL. DO you repudiate.it? IL you do
not you must be reckoned with as free
trader seeking TO have all protective
tariff duties outlawed. This is a posi-
ton which seriously threatens the Sc
curity and prosperity Of the country"
Chairman Hilles tells Governor Will
son that his personal position I'm the
matter and the declaration Of his party
are particularly threatening, because the
record OF his party in actually handling
tariff legislation has been so recklessly
unfair. He points out the record Of the
Democratic Congress in placing many
articles on the free list at one bound
against every dictate of reason and JUS
tice'
What must the workers in any in
dustry or occupation Think" he writes
IF they know the facts they must be-
lieve that, in the event of Democratic
success, the product OF their labor may
at any moment be hastily placed on the !
free list, no matter whether the ma
terials they use are or remain dutiable !
or not, and no matter how much skill |
and care the production OF their output !
may require"
Mr.. Hilles points out that the Demo- |
cratic Congress put out Of commission |
the only scientific agency ever created
the Tariff Board appointed by President
Taft--to get accurate information upon
which to base tariff reductions
Chairman Hilles also writes:
In your public declarations you are
seeking to assure the business men and
should have no fear that the tariff du-
ties would be lowered too abruptly or
too much II you and your party should
be successful at the coming election
AK,I Ill
elected you are in honor bound to use
all the influence OF the Presidential of
fee TO secure the destructive tariff leg
islation officially Endorsed by your party.
Practically all the advocates OF your
cause join In the effort TO lull the people
into a feeling OF security in the face OF
your candidacy and the record of your
party II would be harsh to call this
effort conspiracy against the confidence
Of the people. Yet this policy is triflng
with the people in a dangerous way.
There is strong public demand that
this triing should now cease. The people
know that the tariff fundamentally I'M
derlies business success and progress all
over the country. They want 10 know
clearly and definitely just where you
stand I'm this critical matter and how
you propose 10 deal with II. They have
a right to know this. Their living de-
ponds on II. II you can not or will not
speak plainly, you must be plainly told
that vague and smooth generalities Will
not satisfy the public. The gentle soft
ness of well-poised. academic language
means nothing and excites suspicion.
The tariff is a business question and II
is action upon 1t that counts for good or
evil.
The unfair tariff bills passed by the
Democratic House did not become law
Chairman Hilles says, simply because OF
the courage and clear-headed good sense |
of President Taft who vetoed them. He |
ends: |
He president TafD considered It his
duty to prevent IL, and did IL manfully. |
For this he has not had all the considera- |
ton that is his due. He has really not |
vet had a square deal In this matter |
from our business men and workers
whose interests he has so faithfully con-
served. But there is now a growing rec
ignition OF the greatness OF his services
in promoting and protecting our pros
perity This prosperity has grown to such
great proportions and promises such
benefits in the immediate future that the
american people will surely vote to give
President Taft second term in the White
House.