Evening journal., 1920-04-14
SELF HELP PAYS.

ssDUY Canadian products" is the advice given TO the
- people OF Canada by the Canadian Reconstruction
Association set OF Ten Commandments recently pub
lshed for the guidance Of the people OF that dominion
IN doing so you develop the home market, encourage
factory expansion provide employment for new popua-
lion. and create bigger and better markets for all kinds
OF farm produce"
Thus Is stated by our northern nolshbor the prnIcpe
which Is at the foundation OF the Republican protective
tariff system
buy American products" is slogan with which all
viii agree, and yet which is impractical to put Into
effective operation without system of regulation Of
mportatIons.
Pride in home industries and the desire TO promote
domestic prosperity been found inadequate incen-
tves to Induce people patronize industries
when products Of foreign countries offered at lower
prices.
As matter OF fact it is frequently impossible for the
purchaser distinguish between the home and the I'M
ported article The importer who buys a commodity man
ufacured under system Of lower wages and lower
standards OF living Will lind means OF marketing that
commodity IN the United States where higher prices are
to be obtained because OF higher wages.
ocean freights constitute entirely inadequate bar
rler TO the purchase OF goods made abroad.
the purchase OF foreign articles Is TO be limited ana
thereby the purchase OF American products insured some
artificial barrier must erected and there has been no
barrier devised that certain OF effectiveness and open
TO so few objections as that Of protective tariff
An import tax which represents the difference In cost
OF production between the foreign and the American COM
modify does not constitute absolute bar against I'M
portaon but it does cquaze conditions under which the
foreign and domestic products marketed.
With such an import tax in effect Americans could
si buy mporations If price OF the domestic product
should be raised higher than justified by The difference
in cost Of production here and abroad.
And ye. the Import would stand constant check
upon sale OF foreign products at price rnous TO Amcr-
can producers
Among the advantages set forth reason for buy
ng home products rs that policy creates bigger
ana better markets for al kinds Of farm produce
Just at present the abnormal conditions which
exist there Is no dculiy finding employment for all
who wish work and sale all the food the farmers can
produce.
But before The war this true and when normal
conditions have been restored the op
porunity for employment demand for farm produce
VIII not continue
Then VIII the people OF the United states more
have impressed forcbly upon their minds The value OF
an import duty which win operate check upon foreign
mporaons II large purchases Of foreign manufacture
shall be resumed workers In American mills must be
thrown out OF employment to corresponding degree.
workmen thrown out Of employment in cities are not
active buyers OF farm produce at good prices.
The prosperity OF the farmer depends upon a ready
sale for his products tQ people who prontably en-
poyed.
The farmer therefore is indirectly but the less
,aly interested in the re-establishmen and continued
maintenance OF policy Of protection which assures the
permanent prosperity OF the manufacturing industries OF
the United states.
I'VE may wen take lesson from the teachings Of the
Canadian Reconstruction Association