The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-01-14
DEMOCRATIC TARIFF
INJURIES FARMERS

Washington, D. c., Jan. 9. Especial
correspondence)-So far as Argentina
is concerned the Underwood tariff law
has had fair trial. the results of
which have been decidedly unfair to
the American farmer. and to the rev.
enues of the United States treasury.
Our principal importations from Ar
gentina are wool, grains. and meats
all on the free list in the Democratic
law. Had not large portion of Ar
gentina's production of these articles
been diverted to Europe by the re-
quirements of the countries at war.
their invasion of the American mar
ket would have been even more mark
ed, and every farmer knows that the
war has kept up the price on these
staples.
Secretary Redfeld is exercising
every art to draw our attention from
unfavorable trade relations with the
peace zone countries by pointing to
our vast exports to the countries in
the zone of war. Ignoring his efforts
for a moment, let US turn our atten.
ton to our trade with Argentina
with which, next to Canada, we have
the largest dealings in the western
hemisphere.
The Underwood free trade law went
into effect October 4. 1918. The En-
ropean war commenced August !
l9l4 Hence, in order to fairly con-
slider the effects of the Underwood
law on Our trade, and to rid ourselves
so far as possible of the complications
due to the demoralizations of war.
three periods have been adopted as
the standard of comparison. They arc,
first, the ten months, October 1912 to
July 1913, under the Republican tar
riff law, Republican Peace Period;
second, October 1918 to July 1914, un,
der Democratic law, a Democratic
Peace Period; third, from October
1914 to July 1915, under the Demo-
cratic law, Democratic War Period.
The figures are taken from the offic-
ial reports of the Department of Com
Comparing the Republican Peace
find that from October 1912 to JUL,
1918 our imports from Argentina to-
tailed SIC, 100000, while our exports
to Argentina announced to $43, SOC, 900;
or favorable balance of trade in our
relations with that country of $23,-
100000. During the Democratic
Peace Period our imports from Ar
gentina amounted to $45, 100000, an
increase of l24 per cent over the pre-
vious period, while our exports TO
Argentina fell to $32,7O0OO0, a de-
crease of Is per cent compared with
the previous period. The balance OF
trade turned against us during this
ten months in the sum of $l2,oOO,OUU;
the loss of trade by displac o.
American products and decreased
sales to Argentina amounted to $50
100000. Not only did Argentina CON
tribute her share toward supplying
the European belligerents, but she
strengthened her hold on the Amer
can market during the Democrah>
War Period, October 1914 to JUL
1915. Our imports from Argentina
during this period totalled SCI, 100000
an increase of 22o per cent; our ex>
ports to her dropped to $3l,OO0OOO, a
decrease of 20 per cent; her trade bal
ance against us rose to $50, 100000,
and our loss of trade amounted to
$50, 200, OOO,-all compared with the
Republican Peace Period.
What is said of Argentina applies
equally to Uruguay, as to products,
trade, and conditions governing the
same. Uruguay borders Argentina on
the east During the Republican
Peace Period. October 1912 to July
1918, imports from Uruguay amounted
to 81 ,660, 600; exports to Uruguay to-
tailed $6,280,OO0 During the Demo-
cratic Peace Period. October 1913 to
July 1914, our trade with Uruguay was
imports from, $8,370,000; exports to,
81, 0O0O 900. During the Democratic
War Period. our trade with her was,
imports $o,350,0OO; exports 100000.
Thus the showing under the Demo-
cratic tariff law, both as to imports
from and exports to these two coun-
tries is unfavorable. The Underwood
tariff law has had fair trial and the
jury in 1916 will render verdict OF
guilty"