Evening journal., 1918-07-15
MONDAY, JULY IS, 1918.
TRANspOsITION OF TARIFF VIEWS.

txrry HE Americas" published by the National City
Bank OF New York, after a somewhat extensive
review Of the report Of the British Committee
Commercial and Industrial Policy After the War, finds
comparing the British attitude the tsrin with
own that while the former is lin direct line with
policy of scientific protectionism. own has
adopted the ideastc theory Of the Golden Club which,
half century ago, made nearly all Europe believe that
an era Of unversar peace international friendship
to out Of general adoption Of free trade"
The Americas" declares that the British committee
proceeds upon the sound and honest principle that Eng
land will seek her prosperity through foreign
trade that she will get it wherever she by honorable
means and there is hint of any ideslisc necessity
Of sesacrihce TO the extent of refrainng from dis
elimination between other nations, for good business
reasons The writer declares that the old Golden theories
OF uiopian free trade have apparently all gone by the
board Great Britain Instead. in vigorous economic
natonalism first and independent international friend
liness second also in the intelligent study OF the par
ticular conditions Of British industry and TO
see how high low tariff would affect them the.
British committee have gone absolutely TO scientific
protectionsm."
Finally contrasting the British and the American
views the writer discovers that "in both policies there
notice served upon national Industries that they Will
be expected 10 make good in efficiency and make bona
de attempt to reach position OF competitive ndepend
ence in return for protection OF whatever kind and
no. perm the expectation Of perpetual help result
M sereOtypng inefhciency'" tAta-f -.09l
There has nothing discoyerable OF tendency on
part Of the Democratic Administration to accord 70
American industries protection Of any kind or course
their classic policy has been and throughout the
present generation doubtless VIII continue be- such
will permit foreign competing goods to enter this
country to the limit OF the countrys ability to absorb
them. This they term buying in the cheapest market"
On the other hand it pretty evident that national
Industries good under the protective policy which
chiefly for their efficiency meeting the strain
many Of our methods
As to reaching position OF competitive independ-
ence" another question raised: So long competing
manufacturing nations produce cheaply than
We that goal win be just beyond reach Given
equal operating expenses between This country and
foreign competing country snd they generally
abroad and stil have the cost Of labor consider
which before the war, far greater here than in
Europe the disparity viii be even greater after the
war
It has been stock argument of the Democrats that
greater producers than those abroad
statement which has been borne out by the facts
But with labor in England the highest paid in Europe
receiving 30 per cent Of the American scale labor in
America would have TO produce twice as much in the
time to put production costs Of the two countries
level matter which would be humanity impossible
OF achievement. For u.s. then, against England to
reach position Of competitive independence one OF two
things would be necsssryeither for us to put our labor
on the English SCALE for England to raise her
labor to the American wage scale Which one OF these
situations would America choose9 Then why should |
the United States put away its protective policy because
Europe denies 10 its labor the wages which America
pays TO hers7