Evening journal., 1919-07-29
PUTNAM URGES FREE TRADE-FOR THE OTHER
FELLOW

ID EPoRT OF an address made by George Haven Putnam
N president Of the American Free Trade League
the Liverpool Reform Club Liverpool England, July g.
has just recently been received in this country
Mr.. Putnam is reported TO have called protection
"Prussianism."
He then went on TO say III 10 possible, as Il had
been possible atelyfor American goods to be sent into
European countries that in need Of relief without
tariff restrictions IL should be possible TO do the
under normal conditions" his attitude IS the same
with respect TO European and Oriental goods entering
America.
To align protection with "Prusslansm" is a shocking
attitude for descendant Of old Rough Ready Israel
Putnam to take and It only goes to show how far from
their moornss the and daughters OF of our
nne old patriots drifting.
This may be sscribed nothing so much as foreign
Influences and foreign education
Indeed George Haven Putnam, himself Is a typical
example Of this, for he born London is4l and
after preparatory education in the Columbia
School OF New York. he his higher education at
the University of sorbonne France and tho University Of
Goitingen. Germany.
In 1916 he elected president OF the American Free
Trade League and when the League OF Nations pact first
made its appearance this Free Trade League promptly
identified itself proponent Of the for the pur-
pose it announced giving spurt TO the free trade
movement by League Of Nations and 70 band together
all organizations and individuals opposed tariff bar
riers and favoring free trade"
This Free Trade League declared that protection
selfish, exclusive doctrine" and that free trade is a
generous policy. II the League Of Nations to last It
always be trying TO remove the causes OF war chief
among which hostile tariffs"
Mr. Putnam who is a New York book publisher was
however quick to seek advantage his business when
the Wson-Underwood tariff law being drafted for
he wrote 10 the chairman the Ways Means Com
mittee that 1t is understanding and contention
that tariff based upon sound justice and scientific
duty, 30 relieve from duty at the time the
which utilized for the production OF article"
In other words II te duty books 10 be reduced
wanted 20 make sure by way cheaper material
he could successfully compete with his European
In that letter. also he advocated free trade in
book bindings although t IS fact we'll known every
wase-earning bookbinded the land that hundreds OF
thousands Of books sent annually to Europe TO be
bound at far cheaper COST under smaller wage scales
and then returned 20 this country the policy free
trade to the undoing OF the American bookblnder
OF course any school boy knows why European
countries let down their tariff bars TO American goods
during the war
Their requirements for war materials and food was
stupendous
NO esions OF workmen which they could command
We're able to meet The needs and destruction
Of war. ''D
came an unknown factor.
Wiu not Mr. Putnam please answer why those same
European countries quickly put up the bars against
American goods when the armishoe was ssned2
Why IS Great Britain now returning 70 nro4eo,,o
after over sixty years Of free trade?
If protection is "Prussianism," jefferson was Prus
SIAN; 50 was Clay; Lincoln Grant. Blaine Nc
Kiney, Reed, Adrich and Payne, and hundred other
great lights in the protective armament
Does Herbert Putnam Librarian Of Congress for twenty
years, brother Of George Haven, but unlike him edu-
Gated home believe that protection is "Prusssanm9"
We think not