The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-01-05
WILSON ON THE TARIFF
Says Subject Has Again Become
Chief Questions Of a Campaign

Says Subject Has Again Become
Chief Questions Of a Campaign
Gov. Woodrow Wilson of New Jer-
sey addressed the national democrat
ic club at New York last night on the
topic, "The democratic party and the
tariff" Once again. Mr.. Wilson said
the tariff had become the chief and
most critical question of a campaign
which must decide the policy OF our
government. not only in this great
matter, but in regard to score OF
things which touch the general ad-
justments Of our life" He continued
in part:
"0ur tariff policy has not for sew
eral generations been based upon any
principle whatever, but only upon a
system of favoritism, of patronage, of
arbitrary fosterage, by the federal
government. The strength of Ameri-
can industry lies in the skill and in
telligence of the American workman
and the capacity OF American super
intendents and managers; and the
efficiency and glory OF the working
man depend upon all the moral and
physical elements involved in the
circumstances of his employment If
this country is to be the snug har-
Dor for those who are at disadvan-
tage in the markets of the world why
should it not also, by the convenient
method of combination, be a refuge
for those who are also at a disadvan-
tage in the markets of America it
self? Are there not evidences that
it has become just that? Have not
great combinations recently effected
in this country brought about just
such a result? OF dozen mills or
factories brought together in a sin
gle trust or combination, there is al
ways a considerable variety in the
so-caled cost of production. In
some the machinery has not been
brought up to date; the plant is not
built in way to lend itself to the
most efficient methods OF production;
the market is not quite so accessible,
the source of raw materials is more
difficult of access. Again and again
it has happened that after the com
bination was effected the less eflic-
lent factories and mile were closed
down and only the more efficient con-
tinued in operation; but the business
as newly constituted had to carry
the cost of the original merger OF the
inefficient mills and factories. They
were probably put into the combin-
alton at a figure greatly exceeding
their real value
''This figure enters into the issue
Of the securities of the corporation;
the profits must be made upon those
figures If the stockholders are to get
dividends; and so the country must
carry for an indefinite period inefiic-
lent establishments which have been
actually closed and put out of bus
mess. And this very process itself
shows the futility OF any attempt to
base duties upon cost Of production
when America was in her infan-
cy: when her resources were unde-
veioped; when her industries we're
at their beginning. there was much
to be said for system OF artificial
stimulation and protection. But long
after that period was passed, and
that reason for the maintenance OF
the system OF protection cut away, II
was maintained upon other theories
and with other purposes, and II has
grown until it has become a verita-
bic incubus. not merely upon the con-
sumner, but upon the business OF the
country itself; and on it have been
built up great combinations and mon.
opolies, which have drawn upon
themselves universal condemnation.
1--WE are rich enough, we are safe
enough in our prosperity. We are
sure enough Of our capacity, OF our
skill. of our resourcefulness, to set
ourselves free at last. We are ready
now in our majority to return to the
uses OF government of which the ma
ture can approve. Taxation must
never be used for the benefit OF some
at the expense OF others. The power
Of the government must never be
loaned to those who cannot sustain
themselves. The only legitimate OBJ
ject OF taxation is revenue for the
support of the government"