The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-08-16
THE TARIFF AS an ISSUE.

CATuRDAY while be was outlining campaign
~ plans ipr the nezt few weeks Senator Harding
told de reporters ii Mann that be believed that Dc
tariff IS gong to be an important isa. Max my
words /. said, tins hiG question will Be an ISSUE
People may smile now, but you will hear q lot q
shouting abou. lie tariff before The campaign oyet.
This newspaper Is N hearty agreement with that
opinion. The public Is not paying much attention. %
The issues lie politicians are framing up but they ars
beginning d SEE he Effects Of the rapidly increasing
imports atboth Pacific and Atlantic ports, and they
are gong 10 wonder before very long what IS gong
to happn b Their high wage, and plenty Of employ
ment il he United Stats IS 10 BE made dumping
ground forth cheap wares Of Japan and a Europe
that simply has got 70 sell goods abroad i It is eyf
to rebuild lie economic structure which the war de.
stpyed.
Its essential 10 rapid reconstruction that TIL. coun;
Try Be kept going at high pressure lfthere j; 70 Be
industrial paralysis and commercial aapahon here
we Will aoSbe able 70 lift The load which all the au.
thorities suee we shall have TO lift before the world
gets back normal. But because Of The circumstance
that Democratic conges, passed tarif bill just
before tie Great war began there no protection fot
lie i1dushe, Of this country, and mles Republican
congress IS returned IN November together with Re.
publican executive we are bound 70 have industrial
troubles and much unemployment with consequent re.
ducion Of wage levels before It is all over.
Thanks 10 he admirable banking system (which we
now have there IS NO. much likelihood that there will
be one If tho:e Old fashioned Americans panics. but
he wholesale reduction in manufacturing activity
which is already noticeable at the rubber automobile
and textile esntess is an indication Of what can Eap,
pen, and will happen unless sanei tariff policy IS put
INTO :se.. in this county. All that is Necessary %
produce distress among Il. great body Of wage cam.
e is Tie closing Of the factories the fact that the cor
po.atoas that own the factories might escape the bank;
ruptcy court: would max. little difference.
And factories are closing m omiuou, numbers. The
panic in Japan brought The price Of raw silk down
with rush. but it also brought down the pnee Of
MANUFACTURED six Of japanese origin and as result
The American six centcn IN the east already are IN
acute trouble. The woolgoNers Of d: country VINO
enjoyed Ii. benefits Of an abnormal demand for wool
garments and the protection which came Of an almost
total suspension Of commerce on the high seas during
The war are also suffering. And 50 il goes. :,
This situation IS bomdto increase in gravity with
each week and unless h. American. people wake up
10 what they are facing there gong 70 be lot q
trouble for his country which but few months back
could tuhhly say taatit was enjoying measure q
prosperity n.yer equalled IN the history Of the world
Il is TO be hoped, therefore, that not only Senator
Harding, but Republican candidates and spokemea
generally will pay more attention to the taaf question
than they have been paying. Not 70 as.arif question
a, an ab,ac. economic theory, but to he immediate
effects Of lie lack Of proper protection for American
industry al time when we have vast quantities. Of gold
which lie people Of Europe feel they need 50 badly
that they arc willing to make great sacrifices N ordet
to get i.