Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-04
Democratic Tariff Fairly Tried.

rhe large increase in imports from
Canada during both the peace pei'ou
and the war period, under the Demo
cratic tariff law, and a slump IN the
sale Of our products to Caiiaua
during these two periods. aos'-
lutelv refute the contention OF Ffesi-
dent Wilson and other Democrats ina
the Underwood law has not mac d iah
trial" Importations from Canaoa ii1o
t,e y-r;ted States are of goods which
come INTO direct competition WIFI our
nwp nroGuc,s. While the States poroei-
ing the dominion suffer most, the Ell
feet Is felt throughout the couh'r!
These iInportations are mace up vi
lumber. pulp wood. paper coal I'D"
seed. nsh, dairy products, 1000 tthiifidie
and farm products generally. hlie
Secondary Redfeid is endeaVoring to
distract the attention Of the puohc pN
giving publicity TO our large European
exnor, .rade. due 10 war orders. II
might be we'll to come out OF the CLOUDS
for a few moments and see what Is
taking place nearer home
The Underwood free TRACE law went
into effect oct l. 1913. The European
war broke out Aug. j, 1914. Hence for
the purpose Of comparison three peri
DDS are considered in our trade with
ranada FIRST the 10 months, October,
1872 to July. 1913, under the Repupi-
can tariff law, a Republican peace pc
rod: second October, 1913, to July,
1914. under the Democratic law, Dem
ocratic peace period; and, third from
October 1914. to July, 1915. under Dem
ucratic law. 8 Democratic war period,
The figures are taken from official re-
ports Of the department Of commerce.
Compa ring the Republican peace pc
Rod with the two following, we find
tnat from October. 1872, to July, 1915,
We imported goods from Canada 10 the
value Of ssS, 900 900. while our exports
to Canada reached d total of $34o $40,
O00, or q favorable balance Of trade
with that country of s247 $40 ,0bt Dur
ing the Democratic peace period our
imports from Canada amounted TO
s140, 00e, 0UN, an increase Of AZ per cent
over the previous period. while our
exports to Canada fell TO S276, 900 900.
d decrease of 20 per cent The
balance Of trade III our favor
was 31Se 100000; the loss Of trade
by displacement of American prod
ucts and decreased sales to Canada
was Sill $40. 600. Notwithstanding the
fact that Canadian granaries and lar
ders were called upon TO supply her
own military forces, and TO help feed
from Canada during the 10 months
Democratic war period amounted to
s12S ,25e 900, an increase of 81 per cent. :;
exports dropped To s24G. 000, 600, d de-
crease of 80 per cent; our favorable
balance Of trade sank to Sill, $50 900,
and our loss Of trade amounted TO
slsS ,00o, all compared with the Re
publican peace period The Democrats
can hardly contend that the slump in
exports during this period of war was
nue 20 shortage of ocean transporta-
tlon
The standard of comparison in con-
siderins the effects Of the Underwood
taYin law are the lG-months periods
abovereferred 10, which are adopted
IN order TO present fair statements,
not complicated by war conditions. In
tie Case of Canada, however. these
complications do not exist in such
marked degree. and as the official fig-
ures for the months Of August and
September. 1915, are available, the
computation can be carried OUT for
full years. Our imports from Can
ada during August and Septem-
Der. 1919, under Republican law,
amounted to $24,10o,0o0: exports to
Canada, Set, 10 1850. Imports. August
and September, 1914. Democratic law
SSl .24Q,U0e; exports, SIS, 200, 900. Imports,
Augusta and September, 1915. sSS zoe, :
900; exports, $Se.6Oo,0ee. These figures
indicate that not understanding the de-
mands on Canada from abroad, she
continues to strengthen her hold on
the American market under the free
trade provisions of the Democratic
tariff law.
Champ Clarks statement that the
Underwood law is the best tariff law
ever enacted" should be amended by
adding the words. for Canada"
hA v~st