The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1916-10-05
FEAR "AFTER THE WAR" COM
PETITION.

respondence) From all parts OF the
country comes increasing evidence
that men engaged in productive in
dustry are taking deep interest IN
conditions that will exist after the
war" and that they are not at all
satisfied with economic situation as
affected by tariff legislation.
Instead Of being destroyed, Euro
pean industries have been developed
by the war, except in the very limit
ed territory over which the contend
ing armies have battled. Every
European factory has been working
full time and has increased It's capa-
ritv In the effort to supply demands.
when war demands have ceased, the
factories will still be In condition
60 turn out maximum quantities OF
goods, and the supply must be mark
eted to a large extent in other coun-
tries. Naturally, America will be
the most promising market, for this
country will have the money TO spend
American producers can see no way
OF avoiding a flood OF foreign prod
ucts, with the protective tariff bars
let down.
Unfortunately. large portion Of
the press OF the country has felt un-
der the necessity OF suppressing the
facts OF the situation, as matter Of
political expediency. Democratic
editors naturally feel, and with good
reason, that II they acknowledged
that the present unparalleled demand
for our products Is due to the war.
the admission would discredit the
claim that the Wilson administration
has broguht the greatest era OF pros
perity the country has ever known.
For partlsen reasons. therefore, they
conceal the facts as to the character
OF our foreign trade, and the protec-
tive effect OF the war
but the careful business men Of
the country whose success depends
upon their studying fundamental
economic conditions. are not over
looking realities They know that
the stream OF foreign products flow
ing into this country was steadily
increasing up TO the outbreak OF the
war, aud the outflow OF exports was
Just as steadily decreasing. They
know that the turn came Immediately
after the declaration OF war, and that
our chief exports since that time have
been commodities needed for the sup
port OF armies In the field. They
know that when millions OF men
were taken from the field and fac
tory to go to the front, other mil
lions of men, women and children
took their places In productive IN
dustry. and that when the soldiers
return 20 their homes, the productive
capacity will be the greatest In its
history They know that Europe
necessities will force her to sell pro
ducts at any price that can be OBJ
tained In order to realize upon them
the money with which to pay nation
al and commercial debts.
with these facts clearly in theii
minds. American business men are
apprehensiye as to the serious re-
suits that will follow the signing OF
peace treaty. when all Europe viii
throw surplus OF commodities up
ON our market, taking away Ameri
can money and throwing American
labor out OF employment, AotuateC
by the same cautious care employed
In their private business, these mel
want adequate provision made to pro
tect our industries from the flood o
foreign products, They realize tha
there Is no hope whatever that Tho
democratic party will abandon III
long g-estahlished principle of FREE
trade, and, therefore, they are turn
ing In steadily increasing numbers
10 the support of the party whicl
stands today. as IL has always stood
for America First"