The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-04-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Continued from Page One)



our prosperity might have had a nor
NAL growth and stimulation. No one
who looks the facts souarely In the
face or knows anything that lies be-
Meath the surface OF action can fall to
perceive the principles upon which
recent tariff legislation has been
based. We long ago passed beyond
the modest notion of protecting" the
industries OF the country and moved
boldly forward to tho idea that they
were entitled to the direct patronage
Of the government. For a long time
q time so long that the men now active
In public policy hardly remember the
conditions that preceded tive have
sought In our tariff schedules to give
each group Of manufacturers or pro-
ducers what they themselves thought
that they needed In order to
maintain . practically exclusive
market ~ against the rest Of the
world. Consciously or unconsciously.
We have built up q set Of privileges
and exemptions from competition be-
hind which 1t was easy by any. even
the crudest, forms OF combination to
organize monopoly; until at last moth
ing 10 normal. nothing 10 obliged to
stand the tests OF efficiency and econ
smy, in our world Of big business. but
everything thrivss by concerted ar
rangement. Only new principles OF
action will save VI from = Anal hard
specialization of monopoly and
complete loss of the influences that
quicken enterprise and keep indie
pendent energy alive.
1t is plain what those principles
must be. We must abolish everything
hat bears even the semblance OF priv
uege or OF any kind of artificial ad-
vantage, and put our business men
and producers under the stimulation
Of . constant necessity to be efficient,
economical. and enterprising. masters
sf competitive supremacy. better
workers and merchants than any IN
the world. Aside from the duties laid
upon articles which we do not. and
probably cannot. produce. therefore.
and the duties laid upon luxuries and
merely for the sake Of the revenues
they yield. the object Of the tariff du-
ties henceforth laid must be effective
competition. the whetting Of Ameri
can wits by contest with the wits Of
the rest Of the world.
Development, Not Revolution.
It would be unwise to move toward
this end headlong. with reckless
haste, or with strokes that cut ut the
very roots Of what has grown up
amongst us by long process and at
our own invitation. 1t does not alter
. thing to upset 1t and break II and
deprive 1t OF q chance to change. 1t
destroys It, We must make changes
In our fiscal laws. In our fiscal system.
whose object Is development. 4 moro
free and wholesome development. not
revolution or upset or confusion. We
must build up trade. especially for
eign trade. We need the outlet and
tho enlarged field Of energy more
than we ever did before. We must
build up industry as we'll and must
adopt freedom In the place OF arti-
fcial stimulation only so far as It will
build, not pull down. In dealing with
the tariff the method by which this
may be done will be n matter of judg-
msnt, exercised item by tom.
To some not accustomed to the ex-
elements and responsibilities of
greater freedom our methods may In
some respects and ut some points
seem heroic. but remedies may be
heroic and yet be remedies. 1t Is our
business to make sure that they are
genuine remedies Our object Is clear.
II our motive Is above Just challenge
and only an occasional error of judg-
ment Is chargeable against US, we
shall be fortunate
We are called upon to render the
country great service In more mat
ters than one. Our responsibility
should be met and oar methods should
be thorough. as thorough as moderate
and well considered, based upon the
'acts as they are. and not worked out
rs IL we were beginners. We are to
ieal with the facts of our own day.
with the facts of no other and to
make laws which square with those
'acts. 1t is best, indeed 1t Is neces-
,ary, to begin with the tariff. will
urge nothing upon you now ut the
opening Of your session which can OBJ
SQUIRE that first object or divert our
from that clearly defined
duty. At later time | may take the
liberty Of calling your attention to re-
forms which should press close upon
the heels of the tariff changes. II not
accompany them. of which the chief
ls the reform of our banking and cur
rency laws; but just now refrain.
For the present. put these matters
On one side and think only of this one
thing-of the changes In our fiscal
system which may best serve to open
once more the free channels OF pros
perity to a great people whom We
would serve to the utmost and
both rank and file.
WOODROW WILSON.
The White House, April 8, 1918,