The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-07-20
IMPORTS INCREASE
CUSTOMS REVENUES FALL

Although imports statistics for the
fiscal year 1916 will not be available
to the public for some time to come,
owing TO the representation OF the
Department of Commerce, it is certain
that our imports for the present fiscal
year ending June 80, will exceed ST.
100, 000, 900, while the customs reve-
nues realized thereon will not be in
excess of $210,000.000. This means
that the average rate of duty on all
imports entering the United States
and competing with American goods
produced under the American high
wage standard is about 10 pei cent.
That great apostle of absolutely free
trade, Richard Golden, would gleeful-
ly have compromised on any such rate
as this, but the statue of Golden has
been buried by Great Britain amid
the ruins of his tabernacle. England
is no longer a free trade country.
The average rate of duty on all i'm
ports under the Republican tariff law
during the entire period of it's opera
ton was 20 per cent. In 1913 it fell
as low as III per cent, but this was
due to the fact that our foreign COM
petitors were holding up shipments
OF their dutiable goods in anticipation
OF the Democratic tariff law which
was then being framed, and under the
provisions of which they were to re-
ceive the benefit of indefensibly lower
duties. Nevertheless, during the fiscal
year 1913, on 1890, 900, 900 worth of
imports the federal treasury realized
1913, 900 900 in customs revenue. In
short, imports for the fiscal year just
closed, with a Democratic tariff law
IN operation, and a world war in pro-
gress, were IL per cen greater than
Tor the fiscal year 1913, under the Re-
publican law, and a period of peace,
while the customs revenues fell off "a
per cent.
Therein lies the fallacy of the Dem
ocratic Argument for a tariff for rev.
eaue only. To the extent that imports
are not required to bear the burden of
producing expenses for running gov
eminent, resort must be had to inter
nal taxation. The customs duties are
paid by the importers, and under the
Republican policy they lightened the
load which our W taxpayers had to
pay. The principal argument of the
democrats against the protective tar
IN was that 1t was responsible for
the high cost of living, an argument
to which they no longer cling. But
with the low average rate of duty IN
force under the Democratic law, we
would, in order to realize customs
revenue equal to that paid into the
federal treasury in 1913, under Re
publican law, be obliged to import
$3.50, 900. 900 worth of foreign goods
or an increase in imports over the last
Republican year of II per cent. This
would mean absolute humiliation OF
American industries and an enforced
idleness of American workingmer
which would create a Reign of Terro,
in the United States.
The Democrats framed their bill
with the avowed intention of puttine
the rates so low that the CONSEQUENT
increase in imports would Increase
the customs revenues. They gave
American industry no consideration
But they went too far. They cut th,
duties to the quick. and while Their.
was a large increase in imports, Gus
toms revenue fell off to such al
alarming extent that they enacted ,
war tax" law. and repealed the fire,
sugar clause to make up the loss
TWO confessions that the Underwoo,
tarin law was a failure as a revenu,
producer. During the next few month
they will experiment with all sorts O
taxation with a view to ~placating al
indignant electorate, but il is too late
The people know them for what the,
area party of inefficiency and mis-
management-and the Republican
party is coming into its own again Il
give the country wise government
adequate revenues. and commercial
preparedness. better known as protec