The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-04-15
WHEN IT HITS HOME

1t is funny how these free traders
sometimes make an argument for pro-
lection. without knowing it, of course.
II is the editor Of the Portland, Ore
son, Journal. an intensely partisan
Democratic paper. who is up in arms
because the wool OF that part OF the
country is shipped cast TO DC manufac-
tured into cloth and clothing. and is
then shipped back 10 the Pacific coast
10 be- sold TO The consumer. The edit
or gows dramatically eloquent in de-
handing 10 know why that wool should
be sent across The country and back,
thus involving an expenditure for
freight. and dcpriving The western
communities of the money that is paid
10 the mill owners and mill workers
for transforming the raw material into
finished goods.
Undoubtedly the editor Of that pa
per made great hit with his readers,
who believe in buying commodities
/, made al homo. We sincerely hope the
editor made such strong impression
upon his readers that they will not
soon forget the line Of reasoning he
urged upon them. We hope they will
remember the logic OF that argument
on election day. for. il they do remen-
Der il. they will not cast their ballots
for anv candidate for the Senate or
House of Representatives who be-
lie.veS in the Democratic doctrine Of
free trade which encourages people to
buy in Europe and Asia instead of in
America. Since tho journal editor has
mentioned wool in particular. let US
call his attention 10 a few facts, all
borne our by government records:
rne Underwood tariff act became a.
law october =. 1918. but the reduced
rats on WOOL manufactures did not take
rftcct Gnril December 81 OF that year
There remained 4 period Of only seven
IHCEtnS NlFEE tnt' D'IH'CI dNIC Ia OSi''N
tn, war in Europe upset all trade rcla-
ions In that seven months we I'M
ported s;"S1.S13 worth of wool cloth
AZ con,parcd with s2.SI@.0o@ worth in
tho CORRESPONDING period III the prcced-
ing year. urti"r III" Eepubli"an law. In
other words, in seven months. we IN
creased our purchases Of wool cloth IN
foreign countries to the amount or
IS. 0hn. $40.
In ma; same seven months period
vs. increased our foreign purchases OF
wonrn's and childrcn's dress goods by
nrtrly 81 .OUo. 0n0. and our purchases OF
Other manufactures OF wool 10 the eX-
tent OF SIS. 0on.o0n.
In seven months We sent To Europe
(, SEQ 900. QUO more than We did in the
corresponding seven months in the pre-
cedinS year 10 pay TOR WOODEN manu-
features made in European mills. pay
ing prof. to European capital and
paving wages TO European labor.
In that Same time We increased our
foreign purchases OF cotton manutac-
lures b. $1,000. 200. We were shipping
cotton across the ocean. having It made
into finished products there" ana thcn
shippins i. back here and buying II oar
selves. thus paying the ireiEh' oo'h
ways paying the European factory own
or. paying his employees. and d"prlVing
our own workers OF worn and wages
II might bs interesting 10 hear what
I the Democratic editor OF the Journal
j has TO. say about these things. Really
however, We care very little what Inc
I editor thinks Of it. He has only one
vot.. We care Il great deal what his
readers think about il. for they have
many votes. They and their fellow
Democrats in other States have 1t IN
| their power. SOMETIMES. 10 send 10 the
Senate and House OF Representatives
men who will vote for tArlh policy