The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-07-14

conclusion of peace in Europe. Some
people are undoubtedly honestly i'm
pressed by these claims and are gem
timely apprehensive about the future.
Aside from the partisan purpose Of
this propaganda, unreasonable fear
alone seems to me TO be at the basis
of all honest apprehension on this
score.
An analysis of the conditions in the
United States and of the possible
economic effects of the war in Europe
does not, in my opinion, give the
slightest justification for any fear for
our prosperity. A Democratic Con-
gress, however, out Of Difference to
any honest apprehension that may ex-
list in the minds of business men, will
enact legislation against the dumping
of cheap European goods in our mar
kets and will prohibit by law unfair
competition by foreign competitors
with American business men and man
ufacturers. While ] do not believe
these measures are essential, | favor
them simply as precaution and as an
oosul ditSS W JiiC ltiillu anu HSSlJdIlilSs
When | contrast the enormous and
economic strength of the United States
and the extraordinary skill and Gre
alive genius of its people, with the de-
pleted resources and the weakened
economic power of the great European
nations, and the destruction of so
much of their skilled labor and man
hood, feel somewhat ashamed of the
fright and timidity manifested by
some people of the United States
whom we have been accustomed to
regard as really strong.
When Peace Comes
When peace is restored to Europe,
the belligerent nations will find them
selves burdened with an almost in
supportable load of debt. Taxation,
both oppressive and excessive, must
be borne to pay the interest on these
debts. Taxation is an important fac
tor in and adds materially to the cost
of production, and will seriously af-
feet the competitive capacity Of Ger
many, France, England and the other
industrial nations of Europe. Many
Of their skilled workmen have been
lost and new ones must be created;
many of their industries have been de-
stroyed, and must be reconstructed.
Their credit resources are seriously
impaired. Other serious difficulties
must be overcome if they are to re-
gain their foreign markets. Against
these formidable handicaps and terri
BILE conditions, is it believable that the
American people, with their highly
developed industries and skilled la
Dor, matchless resources, exceptional
creative genius and productive capac-
ity, are unable to sustain themselves
in fair contest for their share of the
worlds markets? Can it be truth
fully said that our economic safety
and prosperity will have to face any
real peril? 1t is almost discreditable
to our intelligence to have to argue
such proposition.
We are also going to pass bill for
the establishment of a non-partisan
tariff commission in order chat the
tariff may, as far as possible, be tax
en- out of politics and, through care
full investigation and study by this
commission, reliable facts and data
may be obtained for the intelligent
consideration of the Congress. The
Democratic party is keeping abreast
of the times, and, through the instru-
mentality Of this commission, the
Congress will be able to consider all
tariff questions in the light of changed
and changing world conditions.
Business and Peace
There are those who say that the
loss of war orders, after peace comes
in Europe, will seriously effect the in
dustries of our country. This is alb
surd. The percentage of war orders,
as contrasted with the entire domes-
tic and foreign commerce of the Unit
ed States, is insignificant. When war
orders cease-and God grant that the
necessity for them may cease soon
we shall receive orders. even from
Europe, for the restorative purposes
of peace, for the reconstruction of |
ruined industries and cities, and for
the relief of the stricken markets of |
Germany and Austria, which have
been closed to us for the full period of |
the war. Our trade in Austria and
Germany alone for the last year prior
to the outbreak of the war amounted |
To G267 100 000 All tbiS trada will ha |