The Washington herald., 1916-06-01
Industry After the War.

. After the war is over the contending nations
will be impoverished and in great need of busi-
ness and money. They will produce as much
as possible and their facilities generally un-
impaired They will sell wherever they can find
a market and at low prices if necessary, in
cluding this country if we not protected
against them; and we cannot sell in their coun-
tries because they are and will be protected
against u.s. We have for many months last
Ipast been secure by reason of the we-known
conditions of war, but il we carry our minds
back to the circumstances existing shortly prior
ito the war we know what we may expect after
the close. unless there is a change in our laws.
From the time the present tariff laws came into
Itorce, IN October, 1913, until sometime after the
war was started the effect upon business
was very bad. 1t almost desperate with
many The prices of imported products dumped
INTO our markets, though not large in. volume
as to some items so low that were
compelled to put prices down to about cost
and, IN instances, below. Many were operating
at a loss. We were going from bad to worse.
Except for the and war orders, wages would
necessarily have been materially reduced and
even then many employers would have been
compelled to suspend. We know by sad expert
Ience that unless tariff laws changed so
as to protect our business and place d
parity with our foreign competitors, the large
majority OF producers will suffer, that business
Will be depressed, that the number Of idle mills
and cars and men will be increased and that
wages will be lowered We have seen these
conditions before and there is reason to fear
that they may be Worse than ever unless our
tariff laws improved
1t may be observed by way of diversion (for
general public sentiment may not have become
focused on the, subject) that it is not OF first
importance to consider tic forms or details to
laws features which will furnish reasonable and
adequate protection TO American industries and
also the necessary revenue for government. pur-
gotlations and relations with other countries 50
that all conditions, changes and emergencies
can be met and solved for the benefit of all
concerned; and the amounts of tariffs applicable
to various commodities should be carefully
logically and scientifically ascertained and neces-
sary, fair and reasonable protection-no more
and no less-would thus be afforded. If these
amounts are to be reported upon by a commits
slon competent and disinterested, the report
should be made to the Ways and Means Com
mlttee for consideration and report to the House
haps ought to have the right of final decsion
especially as long as the tariff is made a party
issue and submitted to the vote OF the people
at large BY the method suggested it seems
probable there would be removed the struggle
between different localities to secure advantages
which has heretofore resulted in unsatisfactory
rates in some
The principle of protection to industry by
means OF tariff laws has built up the commerce
and the wealth of this country and other pro-
ducing countries that have had a surplus for
export. Its value has been demonstrated As
between nations, it is simply safe, sound bust
ness proposition. So long ono country main
talns 1t others similarly circumstanced must
do likewise in order to protect the interests
OF the large majority, including particularly the
great aggregate OF workmen. A benefit to the
majority in the end advances the interests of
even the minority. 50 closely connected and
interdependent are the interests of each When
our competitors in other leading countries are
ready to adopt the laws OF free trade for our
commodities ii. will be soon enough for to
favorably consider similar action. If we we're
to have free, trade throughout the world, we
could probably take care Of ourselves in any
contest for the disposal of what we have ior
sale. In view Of conditions as they exist in
sormal times, it is not logical to place or to
leave the United States in position of disad-
vantage when we have the opportunity to cs-
tablish parity. The doctrine OF America first
which is patriotic one, applies with peculiar
force to the idea of sufficient protection to
American industries This means not pro-
hibitive tariff, but one large enough to permit
continued success in competition with the out
side world-From an address by Ebert H. Gary
at the annual meeting OF the American Iron and
Steel Institute.