Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-30
Editorial Digest
The Tariff Tangle.

4sAoASs
If the United States Senate depends
to any extent on press opinion In Its
consideration Of the Fordney tariff
measure for farmer relief. it will have
pretty hard shedding. The north is
sure that the measure is vicious class
legislation solely for the purpose OF
"currying favor with the farmers" the
effect of which will be to increase in
tolerably the cost of living.
Most southern papers are trying to
convince the senators that the bill 10
a mere sop to the south" (Memphis
Commercial-Appeal. democratic). 60
ing through the motions of providing
relief for the southern farmer, while
in reality it is only placing him where
he cannot protest when the next Con-
gress creates high protective tarins
for northern industries. Papers which
support the measure claim that what
American agricultural interests must
have is protection, while those which
oppose are equally convinced that
what is needed is not protection from
foreign competition. but an outlet for
domestic production.
The Senate would learn. from the
Richmond (Va-) Times-Dispatch dem
ocratic). for example. that 1.-The fight
for protection for projections sake"
can be conducted under a new align
ment. in which the farmers of the
south and west, once so hostile to the
principle, will be found working
shoulder to shoulder for a new deal"
in which they will find the east more
than willing to lend them evory as
sistance in order to secure still more
protection for itself" But senators
would also be informed by the Mil
Hn6annndAntl
Schedule K is not the nations idea
Of reconstruction for the new day"
Possibly the situation will justify the
prediction of the New York Herald
independently that when the Fordney
bill reaches the Senate ut will smash
into a stone wall"
The whole matter Of tariff for
farmers is a reversal of history" the
Newark IN. J.) News Independently
points out. since "the farmer, by and
large, has been the historic opponent
Of the tariff" Nevertheless. the Spo-
kane Spokesman Review independent
republic CAM assures us that "it is diff
ferent now. The American farmers,
north, south. east and west, are de-
handing protection" a demand which
has been voiced by every large agri-
cultural association; and, the Reno
(Nev.) Gazette (republican), adds,
1.-The country demands it,
tion." as the San Francisco Chronicle
independently phrases 1t. ARISES from
the condition of the exchange" since
the foreigner can sell in this coun
try for real money" and. further the
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
(republicaD shows. he secures "a
higher price here than he could at
home, even il he undersells his COM
petitor" A democratic paper in the
woolgrowing area. the Butte Miner.
approves the move as an "anti-dump-
ing" measure entirely justified by
present conditions.
The only argument against protec
ton of the American wool grower, as
the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Gin
dependent democratic) sees 1t, us that
which assumes that 1t would be an
economic benefit for the whole in
dustry to be destroyed and depend in
future entirely on import for our wool
supply."
All Of this suggests the fancy" to
the Fort Wayne Journal-GaZette (dem-
ocratic). that the markets of Amer
lea are flooded with the farm products
of other nations" when. as a matter
of fact. "the trouble is not that the
farm products of other nations are
coming in. but that the products of
real help which the farmers need.
agrees the Oklahoma City Oklahoman
(democratic). is "in selling their
products abroad. not in keeping for
eign products out of the United
States" and the Ithaca IN. " Jour
Mathews independently asserts you
cannot create foreign markets by
protective tariff duties"
But if the measure is not greeted
entirely with JOY by producers whom
1t is designed to benefit. it's reception
by those who speak for the con
sumerf is even Cooler. The pro.
lection which the bill affords the
Johnstown (Pa| Democrat demo
cratic) says. is "of the American
consumer against cheap food" AS
class legislation the Brooklyn Eagle
independent democratic) ranks it
among the most infamous to which
Congress has given sanction" The
measure lis frankly for the aid of
the farmer" the Bangor (Me) Com
mercial independently holds, and
would be of assistance to that class
alone $4,000