The sun., 1916-01-13
THE TARIFF.
Thoughts Of q Protectionist on Free
Trade and the War.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: !:
Even should there he no issue but
the tariff In 1915. that is sufficient in
Itself to cause every man who lives
in America and wants to work and
eat in America to welcome an adequate
protective tariff as the main financial
hope for the support of his home.
What Is to be gained by evading
the issue? Congress knows the pres
ent tariff law is a rank failure. and
it would seem as II there would be
men enough in the new Congress TO
revise the tariff so that all danger.
present and future, to American wages
and capital woi,ld be overcome.
They call II free trade, but 1t makes
slaves of wage earners and banishes
trade. The protection the war gives IL
only such as may be represented by
a knife with only one blade left out
of four. Free trade was moving to
break all the blades. and the war
saved one blade for a time at least
When the war is over free trade will
devote attention to the one blade left
and break IL too.
THE deficit in the general fund OF
the Treasury on June 30. 1917, will be
nearly $4,000. .OOO." admitted Presi-
dent Wilson In his message to Con-
gress. adding significantly, "the total
deficit Will be some $4,000, 900" Com
Fug from the free trade prosperity per-
celving President. certainly these words
form a fitting companion piece to his
next utterance to Congress. that the
obvious moral of these figures Is that
it is a plain counsel of prudence to
continue all of the present taxes or
their equivalents and confine ourselves
10 the problems OF providing sl12.-
900 900 of new revenues" doubtless
by additional onerous taxation. Tn
less we have tariff revision upward
how do you like the outlook, Mr.. Clti-
zen? About the only food free trade
has given American workmen is food
for thought.
The only sensible and practical way
to get the tariff out OF politics Is for
all the workers and business inter-
ests in the land to form themselves
into an adequate tariff commission
and by their votes for protection in
sst upon sending to the far rear
those who close our factories and our
workshops for the sake OF foreign
wares and materials.
Bond issues and increased taxation
under free trade Administration are
an admission OF political incapacity
and free trade failure. Now. honestly.
are they anything else?
In the reign OF Henry ~. London
Bridge was paid for by n tax on wool.
Free trade is paid for by a tax on
work and wages.
Make the American markets sure
to Americans: adequate protection
will do Il.
Five eclipses are promised for 1916,
but the total eclipse OF the free trade
farce will be the most important.
The difference between the present
superficial free trade prosperity in
spots ard protective tariff all round
prosperity is that one comes stepped
in the blood Of dead husbands and the
tears Of widowed mothers and father
less orphans, while the other furnishes
the living fathers profitable income 70
gladden. the hearts Of their comfort
able families.
The people OF this country are
entitled to know 1ust what burdens
OF taxation they are 20 carry. aGd to
knpw from the outset" saws Mr.. VII
son. And It Is because they always
knew under prosperity promoting
protective tariff. and always knew, as
they don't know now, where there wer"
profitable jobs to enable them to meet
these taxes, that the American voters
Intend To swat Mr.. Wilson'S theoreti-
cal taxation without justification free
trade party IN November 1916.
Free trade IL an unconfused and
distinct enemy of American work and
wages, For the hcuef: OF those fire.
trade advocates who blame their dream
laws failure on the war the gentle
reminder IS offered that this country
is al peace with all North America.
South America. pceania. Africa and
Asia, and from these countries i'm
ports have stuhbornly manifested
material increases despite the Euro
pean war. But. as is free trade =
way, revenues have correspondence
sumpcd
Honestly, taken IN It's final analysis
isn't the man who votes for free
trade law that closes his business
similar TO the man who sells his
COW to get money to buy patent
churn?
In the compilation of this effort OBJ
legation is expressed to tho American
Economist. WALTER j BALLARD.
Protectlonist.
Los ANGELES, January :.