The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-02-05
CARNEGIE ON PROTECTION,

We notice in some OF the Eastern
newspapers derisive comment nPon the
statement Of Mr.. Carnegie that "the
aim of protection is TO enable us 10 OBJ
tain free trade. - But for a concise
and perfect definition OF the real aim oil
protection we do not know Of any form
ula of words that could better this
definition OF Mr.. Carnegie IS. For what
is the real purpose Of protectioni 1t
is undoubtedly to build up the manu-
factories Of the country. Such has
ALWAYS been the announced purpose;
such has always been the idea put
forth in justification for and advocacy
Of protection. Through the very idea
and definition Of protection, the appli-
cation os that doctrine is and always
has been announced TO be 10 enable us
30 build up strong, powerful manufac-
lures that would be sufficient for our
selves and that could not be success
fully assailed by the Industrial plants
and products OF other nations; and
when the manufactures of the country
are able TO stand alone, further pro
lection is not needed. Such has always
been the idea. It is necessary for us
10 have manufactures OF all kinds in
order 70 be a self supporting nation,
so that IN case OF war or blockade we
would not be dependent upon any other
country for the things absolutely es-
sential to the comfort OF our people and
the protection of ourselves as nation.
The truth is that Mr.. Carnegie under
stands the working of protection as a
practical proposition better than almost
any orc else in this country. He has
snioyed the benefits of il 20 very
large degree. and his expositions Of the
practical phase OF protection, particu-
larly rs applied 10 the steel industry.
made Just prior to the tariff session Of
Congress in 1909, were the most illum-
mating eHpositions that the country
had on that question. Unfortunately,
his expositions were wholly disregarded
by Congress. The Republican party
has received the affliction which nat.
urally followed upon the bad faith
therein exercised.
The protective principle has always
been explained IN this country as de-
signed 10 protect and hnild NJ our IN
fauj industries. 1t has never been ad-
mittcd at any time that after these IN.
faut industries had grown 50 powerful
that they not only overshadowed the
4.
they would still need protection. The
steel industry IN this country doesn .
need protection. as Mr.. Carnegie very
plainly and forcibly pointed out some
four years ago II needs that protec-
tion even less now when il is buttressed
by an understanding with the steel
industries of other countries, as eI-
planned by Mn Corey in his recent
testimony before the steel investigating
committee Manifestly. the protection
Of infant industries has no application
20 such a case as the overwhelming, pre-
ponderating magnitude OF the steel in
dustry in the United States, which is
greater than that of any other two
countries in the world.
Mr.. Carnegie in setting forth the
facts IS TO the steel industry and con
sidering the application Of the tariff 10
il. substantially as here stated, did the
country great service, and illustrated
perfectly therein his definition as above
quoted, as 10 the aim OF protection.
Protection has done its perfect work
Tor the steel industry Of the United
States. and that protection now enables
that industry 10 work on a basis of
free trade. This i the gist and sub
stance Of the whole matter, and Mr..
, Carnegie has put II in such form that
il is sasy 10 IccoIlect and handy TO
apuiy.