Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-11
The Tariff Issue

Governor Cox and his side partner
Roosevelt insist that the tariff is
dead issue, which is the convenient
method they often employ to dis
pose of a problem that might prove
perplexing or embarrassing. You re-
call that they say the same thing
about prohibition.
Senator Harding and Governor
Coolidge acknowledge the vital i'm
portance of the tariff question and
are studying it as matter worthy OF
their serious concern. The Demo-
cratic platform reafimed the "tradi-
tional policy of the Democratic party
in favor of a tariff for revenue only"
The Republican party is pledged to
revision Of the tariff for the preser-
walton of the home market for Amer
can labor. agriculture and industry"
1t is a nom disputable fact that this
country has prospered under periods
of high protective tariff while in pc
RODS of low tariff for revenue only
the country has gone through indus
trial depression and hard times" 1t
was also a fact that the war rescued
this country from the disastrous ef-
fects of the Underwood tariff which
were beginning to make themselves
felt in 1914.
importation of textiles from England
is causing. much concern to mill own
ers and mill managers, and while the
adjustment is said to be going along
fairly well. the situation is extremely
delicate and a slight disturbance
would upset the markets. Similar
conditions prevail with regard to
other lines Of industry, and the DEM
ocratic free trade tariff has a large
share in the responsibility for such
conditions.
One noticeable fact Of the war aft
crmath is the general Strengthening
of tariff walls by all leading nations.
Europe countries are protecting
themselves in their labor. agriculture
and industries with stiff tariffs, and
they need protection even less than
we do. for their labor costs are not
az great ~ ours. Canada 10 preparing
to strengthen her tariff lines and
even Mexico Is talking protection to
foster home industries. There
seems to be only one thing for the
United States to do. and that Is to
return to the protective policy which
the Republican party has always
stood upon and which we may ex-
pect to see revived when Senator
Harding becomes President.
Franklin Roosvelt's speeches on the
tariff have been designed to convey
the impression that the tariff is no
longer made by act of Congress, but
is wholly in the hands Of the Federal
Tariff Commission. The answer il to
be found In the statement of Frank
w. Taussig. former chairman of the
commission. which says definitely
and plainly:
Il am sure that l state truthfulIy
the attitude of the commission, and
the attitude of Congress when 1t es-
tablished the commission, when say
that our task is not to take tarin
questions out Of the hands OF Con-
gress, or to remove them from the
realm Of craftsmanship. The deter
mination Of public policy in this d.
rection. as in every other, must rest
in the first instance with the leSisla-
ture and ultimately with the people.
Nobody. however expert, can settle,
still less dictate. the position which
the country shall take on controvert-
cd political and industrial questions.
All that any administrative or inves-
tgating body can do il to contribute
toward discriminating and intelligent
discussion and action"
The tariff is as much Of a political
question as 1t ever was. and IL com
ing to take a position Of increasing
prominence among the present cam
paign issues.