Americus times-recorder., 1917-01-14

happen. You can get almost any opln-
ion you wish. For my own part one
factor is fixed in my mind, viz; hTe
necessity of higher tariff duties on
products of foreign countries which
can be manufactured in those coun-
tries, particularly after the close of the
war, at very much less than is posi-
BILE under business conditions in this
country were labor is we'll and ade-
Cuately paid.
Advocates Higher Tarlff Duties.
Every southerner should be high
tariff man, as l see it. The only pos
sible check to the South's greater pros
perity after the war is the fact that
Europe may be able to import into this
country, to the injury of our southern
people, such articles as are manufac-
tured in this territory. l am Demo-
crat, was brought up in the free
trade school, but the time has come
when the Democratic party, if it wish
es to live, must adjust its doctrines to
changing conditions.
The day has passed for tariff Tor
revenue only. the European war mas
brought a great change in economic
conditions. We must have tariff for
the benefit of our industries-we will
call it benefit" if you do not like the
word protection" The new House OF
Representatives will have so close a
margin between the parties, a Republi-
can tariff bill, under these conditions,
in my Judgment, could not be passed.
| believe therefore that through the
tariff commission quicker and better
results can be obtained than would
have been possible through the at
tempt to have passed a Republican
tariff bill The Democratic party can
give the South-call it what you may,
high tariff or protection-that which in
my opinion is essential to its more
rapid advancement and to the fulfill
ment of its greatest hopes.
AS an Illustration the cotton manu-
featuring industry of the South will
require that the tariff schedules on
cotton goods imported into this coun-
try be raised. This is comparatively
an infant industry. The East has been
largely settled and her manufacturing
Industries assisted by the protection in
cidental to a protective tariff. 1t has
made that country The South deyas"
tated by the Civil War has only just
begun TO establish manufacturing
plants and she is entitled at least to
have them assisted as against the
cheap labor of Europe turned loose af-
ter the close Of the European War.
We should ask President Wilson to
get this commission at work at once
and give this country the benefit of 4
scientifically worked out schedule OF
tariff duties to be made operative at
the close OF the war The southern
people should Immediately set this in
melton Though their senators and rep
resentatiyes in congress.
An equally important question for
the southern people to recognize is
fairness to the railroads operating
within their midst You cannot develop
as it should be developed the gerat
= area of unoccupied lands, the towns
and cities of thos southern country
r. unless and until the railroads are Civ
- en- a freer hand-regulate them bu
t not to the extent of imparing theil
. usefulness and their ability to econom
ically raise the necessary money fol
70 the development of the country they
S Traverse. They are the greatest agent.
y Of civilization and for development
S Finely Situated.
i The South is peculiarly situated il
= connection with extendi the contro
e and management of the railroads b.