The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-06-19
(Harvey's Weekly

Tariff revision is never welcome. In
any circumstances it is complicated
and laborious task. 1t inevitably
causes some disturbance of business.
Ii is intensely controversial In part
it is experimental. The one thing
about it that is certain in advance Is
that it will cause dissatisfaction and
incur adverse criticism. Thus there Is
an uncommonly bitter irony in the
fact that at this time, with other eco
nomic and governmental problems OF
unprecedented magnitude and import
ance demanding the promptest solu-
ton possible, it should seem necessary
to undertake a general revision which
will probably amount to nothing less
than the framing of new traiff law.
The necessity is unwittingly conced-
ed by the president himself. Indeed,
he even recommends it. In his cabled
message, it is true, he tries to argue
that there Is no need of 1t, but ne
bases his argument upon the quite un-
tenable proposition that mo serious
danger of foreign competition now
threatens American industries" We
believe that the most judicious opin-
ion and the most authentic inforna-
ton is to the contrary effect; to-wit
that this country Is threatened with
foreign competition, and with whole
sale dumping" If, however, we waive
that point, we still find the president
recommending increased tariff protec-
ton for some of our great chemical
Industries That recommendation Is
sound. 1t should and doubtless will
be favorably acted upon. But certain
ly the president is a sufficiently learn
ed economist to realize that the varf-
Gus schedules of tariff law are so
interrelated that it is impossible to
make material changes In one without
some corresponding changes in others,
which may in turn require changes IN
still others, and so on until the whole
law is revised.
He also directly urges another par
ticularly radical change in the existing
tariff system, in the direction of pro-
tection--it is he, free trader as he Is,
who uses the word. Despite his own
third commandment, with its demand
for "the establishment Of an equality
of trade conditions" as an essential
part of "the only possible programme
az the worlds peace" he realizes that
there is danger of inequality and OF
hostile and invidious discrimination
against this country. Under the ex-
listing tariff, drawn and enacted at his
dictation, this country has no means
OF protecting itself against such treat
ment-the league of nations apparent
lv not being considered competent FOL
the job. Therefore he urges sucf
changes in the law as will give us thu
power to protect ourselves by retail
ation"-another ugly word which thu
president himself uses. We have
notion that to readjust one OF tn
most important schedules, and thos'
essentially interrelated with 1t, and t
empower us to wage a retaliatory tar
if war against other nations-wnicl
is precisely what he recommendation
involve pretty thorough revision
the whole law.
Before and above and beyond al
this, however, stands the salient, dom
inant, irrefutable fact that the natio
is in need Of revenue: and the exist
ing tariff is not and never was tar
iff for revenue, but tariff for denci
Every careful observer of natfons
economics knows that immediatel
upon the enactment Of the Underwoo
tariff. the balance of trade turne
against this country. and that nothin
but the outbreak Of the great wa
with it's tremendous stimulation
our commerce, saved the governmer
from being compelled to borrow NOR
ey to pay its running expenses. y
rational man, whether he favors