Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-28
Public Welfare First
Coolidge Tells Tariff
Tp
conference at Atlanta


Atlahta' Ca, Jan. 2--Calvin Coolidge,
Vice-president-elect, addressing the
Southern Tariff Conference tonight,
said that in determination of the econ
omic policy Of the country 1.-The sole
object to be sought Is the public well
fare" He defended the protective tar
in. but said there would need to be "a
careful resurvey of the field In order
to determine what application of for
mer policy can be made to existing
conditions in order best to provide for
the public welfare
Geographical divisions and section
al lines have been swept away" said
Mr.. Coolidge. THE just pride of the
North and the South. the East and the
West, is everywhere submerged in the
overmastering sentiment of yet great
er pride that we are all Americans.
The outstanding result of the recent
national election was more than parti-
san. 1t was the unalterable determine
ton of our country to be and remain
In all things thoroughly American.
I'VE have not been given a mandate
of onnipotence. We have not been en-
trusted with world sponsorship. But
we have an inheritance of obligation,
Of responsibility or duty to the United
States. This conception OF our para
mount responsibility is in no sense a
denial Of International relationships,
for international relationship implies
primarily q recognition OF national en-
tity and national duty. We subscribe
to the creed OF world brotherhood, but
we recognise that We can serve the
world best by serving America first.
STEADY progress is being made
toward industrial revival and soon the
old struggle Of International competi-
ton will again confront us. In fact
1t has already begun. The problem
with which we are confronted and to
the solution Of which the Southern
Tariff Congress can materially con-
tribute. is to prevent industrial isolar
ton on the one hand and Industrial
submergence on the other.
Your forefathers Acknowledged the
right Of America to protect itself
against the dictation and the domino
ton Of any foreign power and they
fought with our forefathers for the in
dependence of the United States The
independence which they sought was
not merely independence Of foreign
kings and foreign cabinets. They
sought also independence from CONNER
ciaI thraldom.
THE economic life Of the country is
made up of private business enter
prises and the public consists of ag-
gregation of private individuals. So II
is no criticism of protection that bens-
fits private business and private in
dividuals. That must be the result al
that is the object sought, BUT protsc-
ton should be given in such manner
that broadly speaking the benefit re-
ceived by any private interest should
not be disproportionate to the increased
public service. which that private I'M
terest renders by reason OF the bene-
fits derived from such protection.
I'VE have great diversity of inter-
ests which are all entitled to consider
alton. This win require a very careful
adjustment. In making that adjust
ment all must remember that each
must support the other. In the long
run all are interdependent.
The real concern Of the nation is
not merely in the erecting Of great fac
tories. II is in the building Of manhood
and womanhood. The interest Of the
government in Industrial policies is
primarily in national revenue. national
defense and the welfare Of the people.
The greatest revenue comes from the
greatest production. not the greatest
imports, National defense depends up