The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-05-08
THE TARIFF A PARAMOUNT ISSUE

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Washington, ID. C.-The results OF
the primary election in Michigan and
in Wisconsin have excited no little
comment here. In the case of the for
mer, Mr.. Ford's large support is
shown conclusively to come in large
measure from the city of Detroit
where his own employees are num-
bered by the tens of thousands; and
the consequent result upon the vote OF
the state, where only listless inter-
est was manifest, is looked upon as
merely In the light of a personal tri-
butO to Mr.. Ford.
In Wisconsin, however, far diff
ferent Interpretation is put upon the
failure OF Senator LaFollette to secure
the full endorsement of Badger Re-
publlcans for his presidential asplra-
lions. Not a few are asking if il
means that the Senator has finally
lost his grip at home. LaFollette's
career in Wisconsin has been one of
steady Manifestation of power. From
the days Of his first attempt TO secure
the governorship down through his
stirring activities as an executive and
later as Senator and the leader of his
party as the dominant power in the
state. he has never failed to demon
strate his control. 1t is remembered,
of course, that he was unsuccessful In
his purpose to defeat Governor Nc
Govern In the senatorial primaries in
1914, when the issue was drawn be-
tween the Governor and an adherent
OF LaFollette-but 1t is also recalled
that a LaFollette man, running on no.
mination papers, brought about Nc
Governs downfall at the polls and
gave one of the three additional Sen
ators with whom the Democrats have
swollen their majority in the upper
house. But. taken by and large. La
Toilette has Of right considered him
self invincible at home.
This primary, however, has afford
ed the first opportunity to make a di-
rect test Of his standing with his con-
stituents since he gave the only Re.
publican vote for the passage Of the
Underwood tariff in the Senate. Wis
consln has felt the effects of the IN
derwood tariff, In common with many
other states-and It is believed here
that LaFollette's failure to carry more
than bare majority in his state this
spring is in more or less direct con-
sequence of his cooperation with the
Democrats in striking down protection
In the Senate. II this conclusion is
correct it emphasizes to an unusual
degree the extent to which protection is
lodged in the minds OF the voters as a
cardinal issue in this years presiden-
tial canvass.
Facts are stubborn things and they
will prove to be exceedingly stubborn
distractions in the path of Democratic
campaigners next fall. The record
made by the present national admin
istration shows that in a ten months
period before the war in Europe, and
while the Democratic tariff was In full
force and effect, foreign producers of
agricultural products shipped into this
country $l74.6OO.OOO worth OF prducts
az compared with s72.6OO.OO in a cor.
responding ten months period while
The Republican tarif law was in ef-
feet This was an increase Of $780,
100000. or about 100 per cent. These
Imports necessarily tended to cut the
r.ces paid to the American producer
Al the same time, the records OF this
administrator show that the cost OF
living In this country was not re-
duced. but on the contrary slightly
Increased, The producer received for
his commodities a less figure than he
would have received but for the tariff
reduction, but the consumer bought
goods at no less a price,