The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1915-11-18
Foreigners First" Democratic Policy


will call some OF the administrative dt
partment heads to account for tn
manner in which government appropr
ations have been expended. Thi
administration has thrown itself ope
just criticism in so many instance
and in such important particulars tha
democratic congressman will find EN-
bauassment in defending the part
record in their 1916 campaigns, ant
they do not relish the predicamen
in which they are unwillingly placed
1t is not merely extravaganza tha
has put the democratic party in bac
standing before the country. II the
money were merely wasted, doing
nobody harm, there would be sufii
cient grounds for criticism, but
when the administrator uses the
money and Offices Of the American
people against the interests OF our own
countrymen, the situation is one that
invites a degree Of censure and re-
buke that renders the word criticism"
inadequate.
The recent example Of the Depart
ment Of Commerce issuing a statement
TO the press boasting that it had aided
Swiss manufacturers in securing orders
for toys in America is case
in point. While American toy
manufacturers are employing
statesmen to place their goods in their
own home market, the Department
lent the aid of government employees
to the marketing Of Swiss goods in this
country in in competition with the
American product. As an illustration
Of the democratic idea of America
First" this is shining example that
has probably never been surpassed.
The nearest approach to it was the re
moval Of the sugar duty at the request
Of men who openly admitted that they
expected such action to drive Ameri-
can producers out OF business.
With an administration practicing
Switzerland First" the democratic
spell binder Of 1916 is certain 10 have
a sorry time. He will have an EN-
barassing time Of it when some native
born American citizen stands up in the
audience and asks the candidate TO ex-
plain this feature Of democratic admin
istration-a policy maintained at a time
when the Department OF Labor is
sending out bulletins showing a very
large number Of unemployed in prac
ticallv every city in the United States.
In these days oil organization for
mutual cooperation, every city has its
Chamber Of Commerce or Board Of
Trade for the purpose Of promoting
local commercial interests, to encour
age the development Of local indus
tries and to invite new industries and |
invite new enterprises to begin oper
atoms in the local field. All these or
ganizations urge polisy expressed by |
the phrase, "PatroDize Home Indus
tries". Every local merchant, banker,
and mechanic breaches the doctrine.
Every newspaper gives columns OF
space to arguments designed TO induce
its readers 10 buy from local merchants
1t is sound economic sense for the
community, for the county, for the
state, and for the nation.
Naturally, it is severe shock to
people who have contributed Of their
hard earned money to build up this
sentiment, when they see Government
officials using government money 10
foster Swiss industries. Not
that the American people have
prejudice whatever against Swiss toys.
Far from it. But the loyal Ameri-
can has an intense prejudice in
favor Of the American article, whether
it be a toy or something in the line Of
daily necessity. And that same loyal
American will not stand for insinc
which breaches America First" and
practices Foreigners First".
Hence the likelihood that the De-
partment OF Commerce will be asked
10 explain itself.
The Economic World, OF New York
has rendered its readers very useful