The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-23
Tuesday. February %, 1915.
SHOOTING UP FREE TRADE

Norman r Mack. through his pa.
per. the Buffalo Times. il stiii IN =
i~sffhanded way advocating a return
70 Republican protection principles
snd Incidentally pointing to the Ia.
Jury TO Industries inflicted b. the Tn
derwood bill. Mr. Mack's preach
nents in favor OF protection are strfk.
ng from the fact that he was the
former chairman OF the Democratic
National Committee. and at present is
he New York member OF that body.
In answer to some OF the reflections
q the Democratic press or his I'M
Democratic attitude. Mr.. Mack cites
fhe case OF the late Samuel J. Ran.
dan. once Speaker OF the House. that
. man may be a mighty big Demo
erat and a mighty good prctcctionlst
% the anne -time. Mr.. Mack might
also have called in as witnesses TO
fhis contention the status o. the Loui.
siana Senators and Representative
o. the sugar question. But TO get
down TO Editor Mack's argument for
protection. In his recent editorial on
. matter that strikes at an enterprise
IN his home town he wakes eloquent
IN behalf OF high tarln.
Fe refers to the manufacture Of
eaustic potash, a material that does
not enter into commercial fertilizers.
but which occupies an industrial
held peculiarly its own. and in its
economic aspects presents a notably
marked opportunity for independent
Treatment. I'D TO the time OF the
present war the American caustlc pot
psh industry had to meet formidable.
" not crushing. competition from the
German manufacturers. because the
foreign industry was backed by the
lower cost OF living and lower wage
8cale than In this country. all indis.
butable points. With these premises
hr. Mack goes right to the meat OF
the question with the following local
citation:
Since the war began. n plant engaged
Ia caustic potash manufacture. and so
near Buffalo that a IS 10 all intents and
purposes one OF our local Industries. has
been able to make a little besides its
TInninE expenses. "A thing IL could never
~ before Now the owners Of the con-
eern are wondering what they will do
uhen. In the course OF time the war
ends. and with IL the only kind 81 PRO
fectfon they Ket-that OF the war itself
and the potash from Europe again
comes In 20 oNerwheim the market and
compel the American enterprise. ir II
runs at all. 60 run 81 n loss. Shall this
Saustic potash industry OF the Niagara
rontier keep on. as 10 used Co. working
Or shall ~ shut up shop. and let it, com
Petitors from Europe have the market
~ themselves f. a plain business
The csse IL typical OF many actual or
prospective manufacture la sfhis coun-
Try They would Keep on. or they would
begin. n they could have any reasonable
assurance het they would not run the
rtsk OF total loss Of their Investment b.
potash Industry - a fair proof OF what
may be laid down a. a general principle.
that when n legitimate American enter
prise needs. end car prove that u needs.
guard ~ against being driven out OF the
market By foreign competition. 90 should
have What announcement L. necessary
90 Justify u. from a sound business
standpoint in onteriuE the field az all.
This f. a Democrat talking. a.
though Il sounds like orthodox Repub.
lieanism. The war Is acting as o buf.
fer against the effects Of the Under.
wood bin. but. az Mr.. Mack says.
capital IL not going 20 invest in any
enterprise that Is not assured OF pro.
lection against foreign competition
when the war is over. This is what
~ holding back the investment Of
capital IN free trade England In dye.
stun factories. Capitalists have 70.
fused TO invest their money unless
they are assured they will b. protect.
ed by tariff against competition o'
German manufacturer when the war
shall have closed.