Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-10-29
Another Preparedness"

adequately prepared"
These were President Wilson's
words few days ago. They differ
materially from his opinion ten
months ago. Then he thought the
country had been "misinformed" and
that national defense had mot been
neglected" Then Woodrow Wilson
spoke his real feelings. Now he
voices the fears of candidate for Of
flee. Along with the whole nation"
he is convinced"
"A man convinced against his will
Is of the same opinion still"
1t would seem that the President
had received new light in the last few
months on other questions, chief
among them. the tariff On Wednesday
he was in conference with Secretary
Redfield Of the Department of Com
merce, and Chairman Davies Of the
Federal Trade Commission. They
considered Legislation to aid Ameri-
can merchants in their efforts to take
advantage of trade opportunities
growing out Of the European war, and
to protect home industry against
ruineus foreign competition upon the
restoration Of peace"
Now isn't that Enthusiastically.
typically and eternaily the Demo-
cratic cart before the donkey. way
first disrupt everything on theory and
bigotry and then. when the obvious
takes place, attempt to repair by
patchwork and untried methods, rath-
er than admit the first folly?
Here is the makeshift of the tri-
angular conference: The secretary Of
commerce will recommend to Con-
gress the enactment of a law making
selling by foreign firms at less than
the cost Of production here unfair
competition" punishable under the
antitrust laws. similar recon-
mendation will be made by the Fed
report to Congress, which also is .ex-
pected to propose an amendment to
the Clayton antitrust law to legal
ize combination for the operation Of
cooperative selling agencies abroad
First off, who is to decide the cost
of production" of every article Of
fered from the industries of Europe?
Will the President, or Secretary Red
field. or Chairman Davies, or w. J.
Bryan do it? Or, will the President
ask Congress to name commissions
of investigation. to GO out over the
country and learn from manufactur-
ers, tradespeople and labor unions the
cost of articles offered for sale from
abroad? Would the reports of these
commissions be submitted to Con-
gress for consideration or would the
President arbitrarily assume the duty
and order admission when the price
Of the foreign made article shall have
ben raised to the cost Of production
according to administration decision)
in tbs country?
The scheme is wonderful, amazing.
1t is the first step Of the present ad-
ministration looking to a reduction
in the high cost of living"
So that is the mystery solved. At
last we know how wisconsin is to
make the necessaries and the luxuries
OF life cheaper. From the days of the
campaign when plain Woodrow Will
son was telling the people what
President Wilson would do to make
life worth living, we could not un-
derstand how his free trade plans
would do it. Now we know; it is
simplicity itself.
First cut off the country's revenue.
and then. when the deficit is large
enough, refuse admission to any
thing until its price has been raised
to cost Of production here.
American trade troubles are ended.
No more tariff issue; no more dis
scussions. All we have to do is let
Messrs. WILSON, and Redfeld investi-
gate costs Of production, raise for
eign prices to it, cut off all profits Of
American manufacturers and mer-
chants. cut down prices Of labor in
order not to raise foreign prices too
Highland there you have it.
Simple isn't it?
From q Democratic viewpoint il
must be admirable-saves amend
ment Of. tho Underwood law, that
would have made campaign argu.
ments on the wrong side: stops
dumping" Of foreign goods. and
leaves only q bond issue OF another
war" tax Of some sort, to cover the
deficit
This is real acknowledgement
ing to Democratic measurements.
Copy Of the Maine Farmers almanac
Just received at this desk. What il the
ffDt think you look for when you get a
new almanac? Ours iS to see how many