Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-08-08
andlordism and tenant farm


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q protective tariff, but l believe in Vt
as a principle approached from a stand
point Of the interests of the whole peo
pie, and not as bundle Of preferences
to be given favorite individuals" He
believes the American people favor the
principle Of a protective tariff, but are
IN rebellion against the wrOngdoing and
unjust application of that policy and
the abuses in past legislation. 1T is
not merely the tariff that should be re-
vised, but the method of tariff making
and of tariff administration" "The
first step should be the creation Of a
permanent commission of nonpartisan
experts" Of "ample powers" to secure
"exact and reliable information" "The
present tariff board is entirely made
quate In point Of powers reposed ia 1t
and scope of work undertaken" The
tariff commission I'm Germany Affords
splendid model. This commission
must scientifically determine "the dif-
ference In the cost Of production hers
and abroad" the effect on "prices tea
the consumer" insure full justice to the
l.
commission must not attempt to en-
croach ON the tariff making power of
congress. 1t shall report with full pub
licity and promptly. The tariff shall be
revised schedule by schedule to avoid
the Staggering blows to business" in
cident to former general cPvisions. The
effect will be to wipe out the "log roll
~ nd Inv
cial interests in the past. "Only by
this means can tariff be taken out Of
politics." THE substitution of q tariff
for revenue only. as proposed by the
Democratic platform, would plunge this
country into the most widespread in
dustrial depression we have ever seen.
The revision shall be downward and
not upward and secure n square deal
not merelyto the manufacturer, but to
the wage yorker and to ihe general
consumer.
The High Cost of Living.
1.-THE cost of living" says Mr.. Roose-
welt, has risen during the last few
years out Of all proportion 70 the in
crease Of most salaries ana wages"
What is first necessary is fearless in
telligent ana searching inquiry into
the whole subject, made absolutely by
a nonpartisan body of experts with no
prejudice to warp their mind, no pri
vate object TO serve. who shall recon-
mend any necessary remedy Needless
of what interest may be hurt thereby
and caring only for the interests of the
people as whole" The Republicans
promise such an inquiry. but their rank
dishonesty nf action at the Chicago
convention makes their every promise
worthless" Ii is hopeless To turn to
the Democratic party for relief, be
cause first the Democratic patty "af-
fects to find the entire high cost Of liv-
Ing in the tariff" ignoring the patent
fact that the problem is world wide
equally pressing in free trade England
and in highly protected Germany
Moreover, If the Democrats are SINGER
they must take all duties off the prod
ucts Of the farmer, and we certainly
cannot afford to have the farmer struck
down" Various elements, economic.
political and social, are pointed out by
Mr.. Roosevelt as contributing to the
high cost Of living. But effective legis-
lation regarding 1t can only be framed
on a comprehensive scale after a thor
ough, scientific and prompt inquiry.
There is no more curious delusion
than that the Democratic platform is
progressive platform. The Demo
cratic platform, representing the best
thought of the acknowledged Demo
cratic leaders at Baltimore, Is purely
retrogressive and reactionary. There
Is no progress in it. 1t represents an
effort to go back-to put this nation of
100,000,O00, existing under modern
conditions, back to where it was as q
nation of 25,0OO,0OO in the days of the
stagecoach and capalboat. Such an at
titude Is toryism, not progressivism."
The Currency
Mr.. Roosevelt declares that our pres
ent bank currency based on govern !
ment bonds is unscientific and urges |
the adoption of system which shall |
provide elasticity in the credit ana
currency necessary for the conduct OF !
business, free from recurring panics.
The control of such a system shouts !
be in The hands of the government ard !
must be free from manipulation by
Wall street or the large interests"
Conserv axiom.
Under this head Mr.. Roosevelt reaf
firms his well known policy on the con.
servation and reclamation of national
resources. We must conserve our soil.
our forests. our mines, not only for our
own benefit. but for the benefit of our
children and descendants. 1.-The public
should not ALLEVIATE It's fee in the water
power which viii he OF incalcuable
value as source OF power III the i'm
mediate future" and "we should under
take the complete development and
control OF the Mississippi az national
work, just as, we have undertaken the
work Of building the Panama canal.
Alaska.
"In Alaska the government has an
opportunity Of starting IN what Is al
most fresh field to work out various
problems by actual experiment" 1t
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