The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-25

to prevent monopoly extortion or
famine charges. Much the same may
be said Of the movement of grain
which, while not affecting the domestic
price to any extent hurtful to the
farmer, has furnished a useful addi-
ton to the home supply and has sug-
gested the possibility of an emer-
gency within the reach OF
all. Our imports of breadstuffs dur
ing the ten months of the fiscal year
were over 100000, 900, against ST.
100000 for the same period last year,
the increase being chiefly in corn. In
those classes Of subordinate products
where dutBes were high under former
acts and where the reduction has been
but moderate, as in the case of cocoa
and olive oil, increases have evidently
resulted in supplying a home demand
not previously satisfied, and in put
ting h goods within the reach of
many who could not purchase under
the old conditions without driving the
price to a. prohibitive level. The effect
here ts-so far as made plaIn-bene-
fetal, and few will criticise the situa-
ton as now revealed.
Analysis of the manufacturing re-
suits of the tariff Is much more diff
cult, because adjustment to new con-
ditions is still incomplete. In some
lines where importation had been ex-
pected, such as iron and steel, no per-
ceptible changes, save in q few spe-
c~ialties, have been observable. The
imports of iron and steel for the ten
months were only $26 ,119, 600. or about
the same as last year. The cotton
industry hardly felt the change during
the eve months of the new duties.
the increase of importations being
scarcely over 6 per cent in gross value
Of the total importation of $61, 000, 900.
The same Is true of paper whose
manufacturers raised so loud a wall
regarding the threat of foreign in
vasion. wen in printing paper, where
the free trade principle was applied,
the growth in importations Is admitted
by producers to have been insufficient
to hurt them owing to the immense
increase in the demand for the pro-
duct. There is a different situation
in a few lines. such as manufactures
of wool. where there has been a not
able increase during the period III
question, carrying the importation of
goods from $14, 600, 900 to nearly $685.
000, 900. Yet staple articles like car
pets show a positive decline, while
dress goods, formerly most highly tax
ed. are in lower volume than before.
The conclusion drawn by most per
sons will be that in many If not most
branches of manufacture the United
States is we'll able to hold It's own
against foreign industry. That there
have been establishments Of prices
between manufacturers. Wholesale
saIers and jobbers in order to prevent
larger imp~ortations, and that the pro-
Queer in many lines is sailing much
close to the wind in the matter of pro-
fits than formerly in consequence Of
the changes, there is every reason TO
believe. The fact remains that the
consumer Is not receiving the beneHt
Of a materially lower scale Of prices,
and hat his advantage lies largely
in improvement Of qualities and in
the prevention Of further advances.
The importations Of wool in the last
ten months we're valued at $40, 700,O 900,
against $32, 100000 for the same time
last year. This increase is smaller
than expected, because Of the thrush
before the new tariff and the delay
afterward until our manufacturers
had adjusted themselves to the new
woods admitted under the revised
schedules.
Some lines Of merchandise show ap-
probable cuts Of price, but they are
comparatively few, and this lack OF
reduction is particularly noticeable IN
such articles as leather manufactures,
where there has been a distinct adj
vance in importations.
Thus far the tariff has had little
real effect upon trade or industry.
AS a revenue producer it exhibits the
same qualities as it does in other di.
rections. 1t Is bringing, in about all
that was claimed for 1t. This means
that there has been a considerable re-
5Oction in the burden of tariff taxes.
ct the thoughtful student will note
that in not a few lines the old level
of revenue is reached and that the
savings are distributed over a COM
paratively small number Of articles.