New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-02
What Democratic
Success Would Mean

II The result Of the election were TO
put the Democrats completely in control
OF all branches Of the government, then
We may look for the reduction OF duties
upon all those articles the manufacture
OF which need protection, and may antici-
pate serious injury TO = large PAL I
Of our manufacturing Industry. We
would not have 20 wait tor actual Ieels-
Iation on this subject, the very prospect
~ Democratic success when It's pohcy
toward our great protected industries
became understood would postpone IN
definitely the coming OF prosperity ana
tend 10 give us recurrence OF the haIu
times that we had Ia the decade between
lsqO and 1897. The Democratic platform
declares protection 10 be uncohstltu-
Tlonal although II has been the motive
and purpose Of most tarlm bluS slhSt
I1sg and indicates as clearly as pOSSlnlc
tho Intention to depart from protective
policy al once IL is true the Democratic
platform says that the change 10 the
policy OF revenue tariff Is 70 bee made
In such a way a. not TO muir" INDUSTRY
This Is utterly Impossible when We are
ON = protective basis, and IL Is cOnclu-
slVely shown 20 be so hy the nc'eSSdly
effect OF the bills already introduced ana
passed by the Democratic House toI the
purpose Of making strides toward rev
,cnrs since the people ~ this country
have had an experience in such a chaHBe
a. that which the coming IN OK tno
Democratic party would Involve ~
ought 10 bo brought nome To me lgoi,,SS
as clenrly as possible that change or
economic policy, such ds thdt Whlcn -
deliberately proposed IN the Democrats
platform, would halt many or our manu-
featuring enterprises ana throw m a,S
wage earnrrs ont OF employment would
luiilre much the home markets "hiCn tHo
farmers now enjoy for their products
end produce a condition OF suneIlns
among tho people that no reforming legis-
lation could neutralize or mitigate.
The statement has been widely crcu-
lated and has received considerable sup
mort from political opponents, that thv
tariff act Of 1909 is prominent lactQI
IN creating the high cost OF l!FIhB' lnt IN,
g. not true A careful Investigation VIII
show that the phenomenon or Increase
urlces and cost Of living Is World-Wlde III
IT'S extent and quite az murH IN etIHShSo
IN other countries Of advanced clEllIH"-
tfuu and progressive tendencies as IN our
own Bitter complaints OF the burden Oh
Increased prices and cost Of living nave
boon made not only in TINS country, bul
oven in countries or ASIA ana Alt,'d.
Disorder and even riots have occurred III
several European cities because OF the
unnrecedented cost of food products In
our own country changes nave been
manifested without regard To lower or
higher duties in the tariff act OF lSs.
Indeed the most notable increase in
nrices has been I'm the case OF products
where no duties are imposed, and IN some
INSTANCES I'm which they were diminished
or removed by the recent tarin act
II Is difficult to understand how any
legislation or promise In political plat
form can remedy this universal condi-
tIon. I have recommended the creation
Of n commission 10 study this subject
and 10 report upon all possible methods
for allevlat!ng the hardship of which the
people complain. but great economic ten
denotes. notable among which are the
practically universal movement from the
supply OF gold, have been the most po-
tent factors In causing high prices. These
facts every careful student of the sltua-
ton must admit.