The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-01-05

doubt that the great systems of special
privilege and monopolistics advantage
that have been built up have been
built up upon the foundation Of the
tariff. The tariff question is at the
heart of every other economic question
we have to deal with. and until We
have dealt with that properly we can
deal with nothing in way that Will
be satisfactory and lasting"
Governor Wilson is for tariff for
revenue only" first, last and all the
time. He believes that tariff revision
is the most pressing need of the coun-
try, and that the people are right in
their determination to settle this ques-
tion unequiyocally at the coming cleo
tion.
I'VE have under our federal system
a great many governments to support
Direct taxes must, for the most part, be
left to the individual states. The gov
ernment at Washington must depend
chiefly on indirect taxes.
But great system of industry has,
as matter of fact, been built up on
the basis of protective tariff, and the
question of craftsmanship ahead of us
is one of fairness and good judgment.
! 1t is a question of expediency in the
large sense of that word Where shall
we bring our tariff duties to revenue
basis at once? Where must we go
slowly and ease the process off by we'll
considered, gradual measures of reduc-
ton.
with regard to some schedules it is
already abundantly evident what it is
just and necessary to do. Congress in
the special session showed that is I'M
derstood which they were and how
they ought to be dealt with. The pres
ident did not seem to understad either
the spirit and purpose of congress or
the temper and opinion of the coun-
try"
But, governor, it is being urged
that the interests of the east and west
are divergent as to the tariff. Do you
think that is so:"
No; the interests of the east and
west do not seem to me to be diver
gent in any important matter of ma
tional policy"
What effect has the tariff had on
wages?" Governor Wilson was next |
asked
Very little, directly. When wages |
have risen they have generally risen
more in response to the demand of or
ganized labor than from any other
cause. The men who have chiefly prof
tied by the tariff have no many of |
them voluntarily shared its benefits
with their woFkmen. The working
men of the country have been grossly
deceived about this matter from the
first But, fortunately for the coun-
try, their eyes are being opened now
to the real facts and to the real forces
that are at work"
pile of reports of investigating H
and of the Department of Il
Commerce and Labor, on the COVER n
nor's desk was evidence of the inter-
est he takes in the so-caleld trust I
problem" It suggested the next line h
Of questioning. #
How are the trusts to be dealt !,
Nith?'
'The tariff lies at the bottom of much !
} fthe trust question. That is the rea- /
son why the tariff question is the CEN .
raj and dominating question. 1t is
,ehind the shelter of the tariff wall !
hat the trusts have been able to build
Up a system by which they have limit
ID opportunity and all but shut the
loor upon independent enterprise"
"Will the reduction of the tariff
ehedules by which the greatest trusts
hrive virtually solve the trust ques-
ion, then?" IL
by no means. 1t will do vast deal i
0 cut away the artificitl advantages
monopoly; but there is some
hing beyond that Looked at from
he side of business organization. tile .
rusts are chiefly means of economy )
nd efficiency. It is from that side that
hey are so vigorously and persuasive ]
! defended by their advocates and by
lany thoughtful students of modern
effort But, along with their
ncient organization goes a tremend- Il
us power ana they have used that ii
over to throttle competition and es- Il
Iblish virtual monopoly in every mar il
ct that they have coveted 81
DO you think, governor, that com "a
stition can be re-established by law?'' !"
1T is not necessary to answer that -
lestion until we have done what the !,
W certainly can do The methods oi
the greater trusts have driven com v,