Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-08-21

finances Of the government. For the
first time in the history of the nation.
a direct tax has been levied upon the
people Of the country in a period Of
peace It was not a war tax; the I'm
derwood Law had failed prior to the
beginning Of the European conflict. 1t
was Democratic deficiency measure,
designed to overcome the defects Of
the Underwood Tariff Law.
| Underwood Law and Industry
The second claim asserted by the
champions Of the measure was that it
would reduce the high cost Of living.
No man in America, of any political
faith, will contend that the reduction
of the cost Of living has been one of
the effects Of this measure. They said
that 1t would not destroy legitimate
American industry. Prior to the be-
ginning Of the European war, three
millions Of men had lost their en-
ployment by reason Of the baieful ef-
feet Of this war. Manufacturing plants
In every city in America had been si-
fenced and were standing idle as a
result of its operation. Temporary
prosperity has been re-established
in some sections based upon munition
contracts for the belligerent powers of
Europe. This is but temporary and as
soon as the European war ceases, We
may look for resuscitation of condi-
J tions that prevailed prior to its be-
ginning. At least the American people
are not content with a prosperity
based upon the wreck and ruin Of the
rest Of the world.
We believe. as Republicans and as
patriots, in the inauguratio ON
Of a governmental policy that will pro
duce prosperity in time Of peace and
that does not depend for it's success
upon the most colossal disaster of all
times.
Tariff Commission
President Wilson recently remarked
that there was nothing in the theory
OF free trade or protection, that the
paramount consideration was reliable
information on industrial conditions
and trade relations. He further stat
ed that he knew whereof he spoke be-
cause he had been a college professor
Did be hold to this view Of free trade
and protection when he subscribed to
the tariff plank in the Democratic
platform?
l realize the great importance Of cor
rect information in framing legislature
Inere Is nothing so disastrous to the
lpublic welfare as misinformation ap-
Piled to legislative enactments, but the
principles In accordance with which
facts are applied are of equal impor-
tance. OF what possible benefit can
information relative to the difference
in the cost Of production at home and
abroad be in framing a tariff law for
revenue only? Such information can
only be OF value when applied under
the principle Of protection. Emphas-
lzlng the Importance of reliable infor-
nation, the President has inserted a
tariff commission plank in his platform.
There Is no necessity for a tariff COM
mission in formulating a Democratic
tariff law. 1t has no proper function
to perform in constructing such a
measure and the leaders of Democracy
who fought and defeated the tariff
commission idea in the 61st Congress
were consistent and logical in their
view.
7 Mr.. Kitchin. the leader of the Major
ity. Mr.. Clark, the Speaker of the
House, Mr.. Underwood, Chairman of
the Committee on Ways and Means,
were most emphatic in their denun-
citation of tariff commission and de-
clared that 1t was In contravention of
the fundamental principle of Democ-
acy, but In spite of their protests and
determined opposition, the Republican
| congress established a tariff board
and charged 1t with the duty of gath
ering information as to our foreign
commerce with an especial view of as
certaining the difference in cost of pro-
duction at home and abroad
Ample appropriations were made,
the board was organized, experts were
employed. information obtained from
all sections Of the world and exhaus-
tive reports were made to Congress.
This board was in full life when the
Democratic party came into power in
1913. There was such bitter opposi-
tion In Congress to an idea of a nom
partisan tariff board that no appro-
priation was made for it's maintenance,
and, as a result, 1t went out Of exist
ence.
Protection vs.. Free Trade.
| The President says there is nothing in
| free trade or protection. If that be true.
a great majority of the American people
have labored for a full century under
gross misapprehension. If that be true,
we must dlscredit the wisdom of Wash
ington and the craftsmanship of Hamilton; :;
If that be true, we must repudiate the
declarations of Lincoln and the ringing
| eloquence Of Mckinley.
| There is fundamental distinction be-
tween the two doctrines. According to
the theory Of free trade, every nation
| should produce only such products as it
can produce cheaper than any other ma
tion. If the southern section of the
| United States can produce cotton alone
cheaper than any other portion Of the
world. It should be limited to the produc-
tion Of cotton; If the Mississippi Valley
can produce corn cheaper than any other
| section of the world, that vast empire
should be limited to the production Of
| that crop. If Argentina and Australia
can produce wool cheaper than any other
| section Of the world, we should look to
them for our wool supplies. II Europe
can manufacture cheaper than America
| America should confne herself fo aprf-