Arizona republican., 1919-12-04

The president in his message states fact when
he declares that commercial relation has been
established between the United States and Europe;
that longer, debtor nation have become
creditor nation. But there is apparent gap be-
that statement and the next one that in con-
sequence of this relation must change our
tariff system to enable our debtors to pay their
debts. There is in that assumption that we must
put ourselves at disadvantage in order that
debtors may have advantage.
Thus, if A B. should raise less wheat corn
and live stock order that he might take those com
modities from in payment of the debt. That would
be a very atruistic arrangement but it would result
in loss B. surely better way could be de-
vised that would be mutually beneficial
Undoubtedly changed relation to Europe will
require a revision of tariff system, but we can
not know now just what kind of revision We have
really had operating tariff system since the be
ginning of the world We have had the effect of
an absolutely prohbitive tariff could perhaps
run on for months under that arrangement whether
the tariff should be revised upward to the skies
or downward the depths. So there are at present
many matters much more pressing than the tariff
the high tariff advocates and the free traders if there
any, to the contrary, Notwithstanding
There is no doubt need of certain immediate
changes the reduction here of certain tariffs and of
Increases there. but they comparatively few and
be cared for they arise without entering upon
a tme-consuming program either to build tariff
wall around the United States throw it into
pool with the rest of the world.
1t is the opinion of close students that Germany
will become serious competitor. Lacking
nothing but materials, they may be easily sup
piled and would find ourselves at a disadvantage
against cheaper labor and trade secrets. We are,
for instance far from being in a position yet to
compete with Germany in the dye-stuffs industry.
Japan is also to be reckoned with The industries of
that country grew immensely during the
As to principal debtor countries, it will be
long time before France rehabilitate itself and
send exports which will be in competition with
our products The labor troubles of Great Britain
which appear to be nowhere near solution will for
long time prevent that country from becoming
dangerous competitor 1t that our tariff
legislation should wait upon the presentation of need
for changes.
We want of course, to extend helping hand to
our neighbors who need help, but not help indis-
criminatey, those who do not need it. We want
when Europe is able to send imports to this country
to impose no unnecessary taxes upon them, but at
the same time when that times comes, we want to
observe a differental between wages and conditions
abroad and those at home.
We pleading for infant industries We are
not yet done lending money to Europe There will
be much more sent there. Americans will in time be
taught to absorb European securities just as Euro
peans bought American securities before the tables
were turned. Eventually Europe will find its feet
and come out all right. What generally mean is
that the tariff should be kept of the hands of
theorists and dreamers the hand politicians
on the other 1t should have sensible business treat
ment as treatment may from time time, be neAded