Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-17
RETURNING TO THE FOLD.

1 Within the hotbed of progressfveism l the state of Michigan, is to be noted 1 a most important barometric indica- ] tion. politically. concerning the get 1 ting together of the factions of the republican party. which is now receiv- i Ing thoughtful consideration through 1 out the country. In this state which went strongly progressive in the last 1 national election. and democratic in l the state contest because of the split i in the republican party there is now a strong drift of the progfessives back 1 into the republican ranks. That shift 1 is so strong that Governor Ferris, who realizes that he wss elected through the fortunes of politics" has detcr- mined that he vii! not run again as the getting together of the factions of the divided party is progressing so we'll that he considers that "75 per 1 cent of those who strayed last fall will be voting the republican ticket
 again next year"
 There are, of course, those who are trying to prevent 1t and endeavor to maintain the third party or principles which were hurriedly assembled to meet the situation. The folly of it has been recognized and every cleo
 ton since it's institution has demon strated that it is but playing into the
 hands of the democratic party, against the common interest of the other two
 parties The movement for the re-
 turn under revised rules, which will
 change the important matter of rep resentation in the national convention is we'll founded and is bound to pre- vail. It it the logical step. Michigan
 is showing as much alacrity in re- turning as it did in breaking away.
 SECRETARY REDFIELD'S PLAN.
 In the consideration of the interest ing tariff situation before the coun- try. not little attention is being at tracted by the proposition advanced by Secretary of Commerce Redfield who plans to investigate manufactur- CTS in a kindly spirit who make or threaten to make a reduction in wages or an increase in the hours of labor because of the proposed tariff. Such industries as he would investigate are those which might indicate they could not live successfully without the ben eft of the tariff.
 The Springfield Union takes the sen sible view that If any branch of American industry is being run on the uneconomic basis referred to- whether it be a trolled industry. or otherwise, it is well that the light should be turned on that undesirable situation. The department of com merce is maintained for the purpose of aiding commerce and business. both at home and abroad. and while Mir. Redfeld's bright men may not find it so easy a s might be imagined to in struct manufacturers in lines concern ing which the manufacturers them selves have made q special study, it may readily be believed that the re- sources at the command of his depart ment will be of value, if intelHgently utilized, in aiding many an unprogres- sfve establishment to a better and more secure base of operations"
 Secretary Redfeld pN)mises to be- come a real benefactor to industry if his scheme works as he expects. His problem is to show American manufacturers how they can do more business at less cost in order to meet the cheap long hour foreign labor proposition. II involves an undertak- ing which promises to be long and unsa tfsfactory in results. being but continuation of the theory that tariff for revenue is the best economic prin- ciple