Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-10-05

republican tariff measu as always have
been framed with a view to the protcc-
ton of American industry from destruc-
tive competition with the product of the
labor of countries where labor Ia chem
and conditions such that American in
dustry cannot compete with and maintain
American standards. Democratic tariff
making always has been enacted with
out study of actual conditions, and for
political effect only. The Underwood
tariff bill was no exception to this gem
eral rule, and It resulted in an immedi-
ate influx of foreign manufactures and
an immediate depression in American in
dustry. During the period from April,
1919, to December. 1918. there was n gain
of SOL 0O0, 900 in imports and n loss in
tariff revenue OF S3O.O00,OO0 Those of us
who live in large cities will not soon for
get the winter of 1913-19A, when thou
sands of men were out of employment,
when special commissions and boards
were organized for the purpose of fur
nishing relief to the unemployed poor;
factories were closing, and general de-
preston spreading widely all over the
land. This condition was reflected in
government revenues, and the treasury
statement for the first six months of the
operations of the tariff law under demo-
cratic administration, ending May ], 1914,
showed a deficit of s37, 100000 Neither by
that act, nor by any subsequent lcgisla-
ton has the high cost of living which
the democratic platform promised to re-
duce been in the slightest degree i'm
proved. Conditions resulting from the
European war have increased our in
comes, but the cost of living mounts
steadily upwards.
WAR BROUGHT JOY TO DEMOCRATS
/ brit
misery to millions in Europe. brought
joy to the hearts of the Democratic
party. for it supplied it with cloak for
all its shortcomings. 1t was eagerly
made the excuse for n revenue bill de-
signed to supplement the mounting de-
flciencies in the revenues derived from
the Underwood tariff to meet the expenses
of government. even when supplemented
by the income tax law. This so-called
war revenue act was approved by the
! President October 22nd, 1914. 1t imposed
heavy duties upon wines and spirits.
special taxes upon the occupations of
bankers. brokers. pawnbrokers, custom
house brokers. proprietors of theatres,
museums. concert halls, and other places
| of entertainment, tobacco dealers and
manufacturers, and a stamp tax upon
certain documents. similar to that which
had been enacted for the purpose of
meeting the expenses of the war with
Spain 1t is true that imports rapidly
fell off upon the outbreak of the war
but the need of some measure to supple
ment the deficiencies under the Under
wood tariff and the income tax had be-
come manifest before the effect Of the
war was apparent.
1t should not require much thought &c
make clear to the American people that
the European war has produced ar
anomalous condition affecting our trade
and commerce. All importations from
the Teuton countries have been stopped
the energies of the allied countries ar,
completely absorbed in the struggle Will
their enemies and the production Of
necessities of war. so that a virtual en-
barge, as II were, on imports into thu
United States from European countrie:
has existed since the latter part of tn,
year 1914. On the other hand. American
production has been enormously stimu
lated by the demands of the allied coun
tries, not only for arms and munitions
of war and the thousand and one othe
things required in the conduct OF war
but for articles which ordinarily are pro
duced In those countries by industrie
now devotiny their entire attention t.
supplying the needs of tho bellgeren
forces. This has produced a Temporal.
condition of extraordinary prosperity /,
the United States, the duration of which
Is problematical: and thoughtful mel
have been giving careful study to tn
probable effect upon the United State
Of the conditions which will follow tn
termination of the European war and tn
restoration Of European nations to tn
position Of competitors with the Unite,
States for the commerce of the world.
These conditions must be CAREFUL.
considered and legislation framed intel
ligently to meet them and to protec
American industry from an unfair com
petition with which 1t cannot properl
cope without the abandonment of Ameri
can standards Of living.
PROTECTION BY LAWSUIT.
Instead of protecting American indus
try by imposing compromising inpor
duties which would equalze the condi
tions of production in this country Wit
the country of manufacture. the demo
Gratis have adopted the principle Of pro
, lection by lawsuit; the cumbersom
| process of prosecution in the courts I
, establishing such subtle and Difficult
/ issues as the intent with which article
are imported, the actual price at whic
they are sold to the American importer
: and the purposes of importation. Thi
is clumsy substitute for the simpl
ascertainment of value and impositio
of n percentage duty.
But the democratic tariff making is nc
, even consistent with its own theory .
; most impassoned attack was made upo
the revenue bill just placed upon tn
. statute books by Mr.. Underwood himsnl
a the author of the Underwood tariff Law
who denounced his party in Congress fo
1 the abandonment of the principle of tart