Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-01-19
FOOD DaPoRTs AND
TARIFF REVISION

the first ii months % che current
year totalod 1856. Ooo. goo, eompar-
cd with 1851. 100000 during the
las. ~ months operation OF the RE-
publican tariff law. November, lsI2.
to September. 1919. an Increase Of
over so per cent. Here ID a aitua.
tlon which gives the American Sarm-
or but little concern now because he
Ia banking the profits derived from
war prices. but how about later.
mere threats OF peace aenda the prica
means slump in tho foreign mar
kot for American fOodatuefa, Az the
same time Argentine corn and meata.
/ Canadian food products, OF all kinda.
Australian mutton. European choose
and canned foods. Chinese eggs, etc.,
viii flow to this market IN increas-
Ing volume. under the present tariff
law. which puts most food products
on tho free HAT. whyS Because
this Ia the greatest food consuming
nation ON earth. and. under free
trade. here Is the beat market for
tho frOits OF the foreigners toll.
But II We can feed thu fighting
men OF Europe IN time og war. why
can not our farmers feed the tollInR
masses OF America In time OF peace.
and why should not our farmers have
first preference in the bennflcent
work when the war IL over9 Two
factors. growing out Of the same
cause, will initiate agaInat this II
that cause.-the present tariff-for-
losa-than-revenue-is permitted 70
continues First. the Wilson. Under
weod law invites unbridlaa eompe-
tition with foreign foOdstufFs. nv
orythinE which tho American farmer
operates today has gone up In price,
oven tho twine with which no In
bringing In his aheavea, and the dir.
ticalty no experiences Ia acquiring Ia
Dor Of any kind has led 20 the es.
Adjustment Of government bureau
~ labor which can do little 20 mltl.
gate the evil. Production costa such
az our farmer has 10 meet are un-
known 20 the foreign competitor,
who has an abundance OF labor at
all times at wage ridiculous IN our
Dyes. Tho result must inevitably
be that. with the termination OF the
war, American whArvsa will be piled
hlgh with foreign Foodstuffa II they
can get in at present duty rates. In
addition 20 tho so per cont Increase
now coming In will bO vast quantl-
les Of goods which now find ready
market In Europe where $4,000 900
men are producing nothing and do-
stroying all they can. Al first the
American consumer may get hts food
Ituffs cheaper. AZ least until tho
American farmer has cut down the
area OF his tlllaEa. When he does
that the foreigners price will go up,
. they always do.
Second. tho present tariff policy
poor weapon With which to meet
postwar conditions with respect to
competition IN manufactures. Arm-
- EAAh hNFtt HA1Nilh EAWHAHAtHf NNAA9
agreements, tariffs and the like. our
rade competitors will 90 81 10 say
lgaly whom tho war Of sword aud
gun has given place to the var. Of
forge and loom. Armed only with
he present law, our manufacturers
win be In a position similar to tho
Saxons in Bill Nye.s History OF
England" who. when resisting lnva-
sion. had 20 fall back every hour or
30 20 #traiEhten their tin swords.
With manufacturing eurtaiied. labor
viii be Idle and without the wage 90
rug the farmers produce. And the
prime consideration Of every Ameri-
an farmer should be . large hons
market
While the demand for a return
70 the protective tariff policy Is
Jreaslng. the Democratic house Of
representatives IL considering tbs
ievylng o. dntY on coffee. tea. rub
Der. and wool. and an increase in tha
rats on sugar. We raise none Of the
first three. 80 II they are taxed. sc
will pay the tax. We Will not get q
protective rate on wool. and We shall
mol object 10 3 protective rate on
sugar. But why not restore protec-
ton 70 al our Industries. thereby
realizing considerably more revenue.
preparing ourselves for affsr-war
conditions. and getting onto = solid
basis of prosperity And that IN
what remains 70 be done BY the ne
publieans in congress. by way of a
substitute tariff measure.