The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-09-05
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
(By Clyde II. Tavenner, Special
Washington Correspondent of The

Washington, Aug. Ex-Governor
| Wilson has indicated in the speeches
| he has made thus far in the cam
paign that he attaches great deal
of Importance to the question OF the
tariff as it affects farmers. The
democratic candidate put this whole
question into a nut shell when ne
said:
THE farmer does not derive any
benefits from the tariff when he goes
to market to sell his products, but
on everything the farmer buys
there is an artificially high price,
due to the tariff tax"
High protectionists in congress
have for many years deceived the
farmers into believing that because
the tariff is kept on wheat and corn
he is necessarily benefited thereby.
That this is false logic is apparent to
| any student of American import and
export statistics. This country pro-
duces more wheat and corn than
the American people consume,
| which obviously makes it impossible
for any foreign country to sell wheat
| or corn here. Europe, which is the
great market for surplus American
grain, uses all the grain produced
there for home consumption, and in
| addition, the European countries
have to send over here for more. If
there were no tariff at all on grain,
| therefore, the American farmer
would not be menaced by the posi-
bility of foreign competition, for the
| reason that foreigners have no
grain to sell.
But the situation is vastly differ
ent with the farmer when he comes
to buy tools, machinery, clothing.
and other necessities of life. He
finds every article that he uses in
producing his crops taxed higher
and higher, until, as Governor Will
son says, lit is getting to be next to
impossible for the American farmer
to make legitimate profit The
farmers implements, their smaller
tools, wagons, household articles,
lumber, and harvesting machinery
has steadily risen in price.
That this rise has been due to
artificial causes is proven by the
fact that the identical articles used
by the American farmer are sold
abroad for from 25 to 40 per cent
less. B. D. Townsend, in his report
to President Roosevelt on the Har-
vester Trust, said that the same
harvesting machines that were made
by the trust in Chicago, and sold to
the American farmer for $125, are
are sold in Russia for $50 and $50.
Nothing but the tariff enables the
trust to thus rob the American
farmer, because, if it were not for
the tariff, the danger Of cOmpeti-
ton from Canada would force the
American trust to sell it's machines
for one price to all.
Governor Wilson has shown a
deep grasp of the tariff question
as it affects the farmer, and it is
certain that before the campaign is
much older he will have some illum-
mating things to say to the farmer
on this vital subject.
Sugar Plums.
The ownership of a one half in
terest in the Western Sugar Rein
ing Company netted the Havemeyer
interests $12,95O,OOO in Fl years.
In one year, 1896, this concern paid
the Havemeyers six hundred thou
sand dollars. When the company
was organized the Havemeyers put
in million dollars capital, and the
Spreckles people another million.
Two years later this money was re-
turned to the investors, so that all
the profit they subsequently took
out was "velvet'' Thus the tariff ;
on sugar is shown to be good thing |
for the millionaire owners of the |
sugar trust. |
Popular Government.
In his speech of acceptance Presi-
dent Taft said the great issue before
the people was the retention of |
Popular constitutional government
1t never occurred to Mr.. Taft that
the greatest period of unrest in this
country since war days has been
brought about by the millionaire
trust owners who, while shouting
about popular government, have
made farce Of common, every day
justice. The Payne-Aldrich tariff !
tax, which Mr.. Taft signed, did more
than any other one thing to make |
the people dissatisfied with the par
ticular brand of popular constitu
Uonal government that Mr.. Taft
and his aides have administered.
Meat Prices Here and Abroad.
On Friday, August "a, prime sir
loin of beef sold in London for 10 Y
cents per pound, and in New York
for % cents per pound Just at
present meat prices are higher in
this country than ever before, while
the identical cuts that bring such
high prices in this country are sold
in London for about tWo-thirds as
much. This despite the water haul
of 5000 miles. and the two rail
hauls, first from Chicago to the At
lantic sea-board, and from Liver
pool to Yondon.
When Thieves Fall Out.
Senator Penrose and the Third
Termer have violent quarrel. And
while they are snarling and hurting
epithets at each other the public
learns that the Standard Oil trust
contributed $125,000 to the Third
Termer's former campaign fund.
What Might Have Been.
Majority Leader Underwood,
chairman of the ways and means
committee of the house of represent