The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-08-31

wood enactment; the experiences Of
the years beginning with 1898 were
being repeated in 1918. Hope was
fast dying out when all Christiandon
was shocked by the European war.
demands from the b%elligerent nations
were made upon us for urgent mill
tary equipments; our idle men were
recalled to the fields Of industry;
our foreign commerce rose to colossal
figures and the golden currents
sought our shores; prosperity re.
turned to us in many quarters-noI
because Of Democracy. but in spite OF
1t. 1t is not the prosperity Of peace
It is not the prosperity thoroughly
diftused throughout the country; il
is the prosperity Of war, based upon
the misfortunes of others; 1t Is n
prosperity which Is known to be but
temporary; there is no thought of
permanenCe in it.; all is spectacular
artificial ephemeral
There is no observer who does
not know that when the war ceases
and the contest is transferred from
the trenches to the factories an I'M
precendented war Of markets will be
on. Our standard of wages and lIv-
ing will be matched against the lower
wage and living standards of other
countries more sharply than ever ! n
Our Safeguard.
THE protective tariff when again
adopted by the Republican party must
prove our safeguard. The Demo-
cratic free trade MEASURE was disas-
trous to u industries and public
revenues before the war began. Upon
what theory, based upon rational
judgment, can we assume that we
shall have a more favorable expert
ence when peace is again restored
than we had in the midst of peace
when Democracy overthrow u IN
dustries?
THE Democratic party threw away
millions Of dollars at our customs
houses by the enactment OF its I'M
wise law. Many millions were given
to our foreign competitors without
the gain to us of a dollar. This is
strikingly illustrated in a number Of
instances. I shall advert to one Of
the largest. 1t is but a type of many
others:
1--WE are the greatest sugar con-
Stunning nation in the world. We are
sending approximately $150.O00, 900
annually to foreign countries for
sugar which should be produced at
home.
Beet Sugar Industry.
when Mckinley came into power
he sought to stimulate a wide inter
est in the development of the beet
sugar industry. A duty of S1.95 per
hundred pounds was placed upon
sugar, which continued for sixteen
years with but little change. Nearly
500. 100000 was invested in the in
dustry during this period. At the
some time foreign sugar producers
paid at the customs houses over ST.
] 60,000,0 900 for the privilege of SELL
ing their commodity in the market Of
the United States.
I'VE have succeeded in developing
sugar in some fourteen states. Many
hundreds of millions Of dollars have
been distributed to farmers, laborers,
railroads, etc, in the process Of
growing, refining and distributing it.
To the extent that we have produced
sugar at home we have c~urtailed our
foreign demand for it,
According to the opinion of
James Wilson. former secretary Of
agriculture, we have about 274,000,-
900 acres suited to the production Of
sugar beets-more than sufficient for
all our domestic needs. A duty upon
Is justified from the standpoint
Of building up a great American in
dustry. Furthermore, in the process
of creating it we shall derive many
millions of dollars or revenue and to
that extent relieve the tax burdens
would otherwise rest upon the
shoulders Of III people.
when the Underwood law was
enacted it provided that the tariff up
on sugar should be gradually reduced
until it reached the free list, May !,
1916. This was a staggering blow to
the great industry, and a tremendous
loss of public revenue. Forced by the
necessitie sof the administration Con-
gress repealed the free trade clause OF
the Underwood sugar schedule, not
because the tariff aided an industry,
but for revenue only. The repeal was
effected a short time before sugar was
scheduled to go upon the free list.
This reversal of the hostile policy Of
the Democratic administration is but
temporary; if the party remains in
power 1t will pursue the sugar indus
try to its death.
Before Congress repealed the free
provision affecting the sugar schedule,
duties amounting to many millions Of
dollars, which otherwise would have
been paid by foreign sugar producers,
were lost to Il treasury and the de-
hCiency was raised by obnoxious stamp
taxes imposed upon the people. This
vas a direct injury to us, not only in
the loss Of large revenue, but in the
Gripping Of a great and developing
industry which the Republican party
had carefully sought to foster during
the administrations of Harrison, Nc
Kinley, Roosevelt and Taft.
An Urgent Need.
1.-THE rebuilding of our merchant ma
r'ne is one of the imperative and ur-
gent needs of the times, Our national
safety and industrial Independence de-
mand that we shall not daily further
with this great question. We must
enact such laws as will enable us to
compete successfully with other mari
time nations. We once held a pre-
eminent position in the carrying trade
Of the high seas, but VT have lost our
place Of leadership and it deyolyes
upon us now, if we are the great people