Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-01

cooperation now being learned will
never be forgotten. Friction and waste
have been reduced to a minimum; la
Dor and capital have a better under
standing, business organization Is
more highly developed and more in
diligently directed than ever before,
We see in each Of these nations a
marvellous national efficiency. Let It
not be supposed that this efficiency
will not count when Europe once
more at peace pushes its productive
powers to the utmost limit. -,
On the other hand. in this country.
with the stoppage OF the manufacture
Of munitions, host of men will be
turned out of employment. We must
meet the most severe competition III
industry. We are undisciplined, defec-
tive in organization, loosely knit, in.
dustrially unprepared
Our opponents promised to reduce
the cost Of living. This they have
failed to do; but they did reduce the
opportunities of making living. Let
US not forget the conditions that exist.
ed IN this country under the new tar
III prior to the outbreak of the
war. Production had decreased. BUSH
ness was languishing. new enter
Prlses were not undertaken, in
stead of expansion there was curtail-
ment, and our streets were filled
with the unemployed. 1t was estimated
that in the city of New York over 100000
were out of work. Throughout the co1n-
try the jobless demanded relief. The la
Dor commissioners of many states, and
our municipal administrations, devoted
themselves to the problem Of unemplo
ment, while the resources OF our volun-
tary charitable organizations were most
severely taxed What ground Is there
for expecting better conditions when tho
unhealthy stimulus Of the war has spent
it's force and our industries and work.
ing-men are exposed to the competition
of an energized Europe?
1t is plain that we must have protec.
tive. upbuilding policies. 1t Is idle to
look for relief to the Democratic party
which as late as 1912 declared in its plat.
form that it was "a fundamental princi.
pie Of the Democratic party that tho
federal government, under the constitu-
ton. had no right or power to impose
or collect tariff duties except for the
purpose of revenue" We are told in its
present platform that there have been
"momentous changes" in the past two
years, and hence. repudiating its former
attitude, the Democratic party now de.
clares for "non-partisan tariff commits.
sion." But have the "momentous
changes" incident to the European war
changed the Constitution Of the United
States? 1t is proposed to use tariff
commission to frame tariff for revenue
only? Is the opposing party ready to
confess that for generations It has mis-
read the Constitution? Is that party now
prepared to accept the protective princi-
pie? Rather. SO far as the tariff is con-
cerned, it would appear to be without
principle. Witness it's action In connec-
ton with the sugar duties, its reaffirma-,
ton OF the doctrine of revenue tariff,
its dye-stuffs proposal, and it's formula.
ton in lieu Of protective duties OF an
''anti-dumping" provision, the terms. Of
which are sufficient to show it's ineffec-
tive character!
The Republican party stands for tho
principle of protection. We must apply
that principle fairly, without abuses, in
as scientific a manner as possible; ana
Congress should be aided by the investi-
cations of an expert body. We stand
for the safeguarding of our economic in
American industry. for the maintenance
of American standards of living. We pro-
pose that in the competitive struggle that
is about to come the American working.
man shall not suffer-
The Republican party is not a sectional
party. 1t thinks and plans nationally. Its
policies are for the promotion of the
prosperity of every part Of the country,
South, East. North and West. It is not
simply question Of q wise adjustment
of the tariff in accordance with sound
principle. but there Is also the need in
other respects for stable conditions for
commercial and industrial progress. If
we are to meet effectively the conditions
which will arise after the war Is over
we must put our house in order Let Il
be understood that the public right Is
to be maintained without fear or favor
But let us show that we can do this with.
out impairing the essential agencies of
progress. There is no forward move
ment. no endeavor to promote social JUS
tice which in the last analysis
does not rest upon the condition
that there shall be a stable basis for
honest enterprise. This subject has
several important phases to which at
this time I can allude only briefly We
should place our transportation system
on A sure footing. We should be able
wisely to adjust our regulative powers
so that the fundamental object Of pro-
tecting the public interest can be full
ly secured without hampering the de-
velopment and expansion Of transpor-
tation facilities. This national end may
be accomplished without the sacrifice
Of any interest that is essentially local,
or without weakening public control.
Our present system is crude and made
| quate. Moreover. in the severe eco
nomic struggle that is before us, and
In seeking. as we should, to promote
our productive industries and to ex-
pand our commerce-notably our for
eign commerce-we shall require the
most efficient organization, quite as
efficient as that found in any nation
abroad. There must be no unnecessary
wastes and no arbitrary Instructions.
We have determined to cut out, root
and branch, monopolistic practices. but
NC no do y; xr,;<