Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-04-15

snail come first than has been pOpu-
larly imagined, because We must do
both, but the practical course for
earliest accomplishment will readily
suggest itself to the congress. We
are committed to the repeal of the
excess profits tax and the abolition
of inequities and unjustifiable eX-
ASPIRATIONS in the present system
The country does not expect and
will not approve a shifting of bur-
dens. 1t is more interested in WHIP
ing out the necessity for imposing
them and eliminating confusion and
cost in the collection.
Tariff Enactment Urgent.
The urgency for an instant tariff
enactment, emergency in character
and understood by our people that
it is for the emergency only, cannot
be too much emphasized. I believe
in the protection Of American in
dustry and it is our purpose to same
prosper America first. The priv
ileges of the American market to the
foreign producer are offered too
cheaply today and the effect on much
of our own productivity is the de-
struction of our self-reliance, which
is the foundation of the independ-
ence and good fortune of our peo-
pie. Moreover, imports should pay
their fair share of our cost of gov
eminent.
American Agriculture Menaced.
One who values American pros
perity and maintains American
standards of wages and living can
have no sympathy with the proposal
that easy entry and flood of imports
will cheaper our costs of living. 1t
is more likely to destroy our ca
pacity to buy. Today American agri-
culture is menaced and its products
are down to pre-war normals, yet
we are endangering our fundamental
industry through the high cost of
transportation from farm to market
and through the influx of foreign
farm products, because we offer, es
senllallv unprotected, the best mar
ket IN the world. 1t would be better
to err in protecting our basic food
industry than paralyze our farm &C.
tivities IN the world struggle for re-
stored exchanges. The maturer. re-
vision of our tariff Jaws should be
based on the policy of protection, re-
sisting that selfishness which turns
to greed. but ever concerned with
that productivity at home which is
the source Of all abiding good for
tune. It is agreed that we cannot
sell unless we buy, but ability to sell
is based on home development and
the fostering of home markets.
There is little sentiment in the trade
Of the world. Trade can, and ought
to be, honorable, but it knows no
sympathy. While the delegates of
the nations at war were debating
peace terms at Paris and while we
later debated our part in completing
the peace, commercial agents of
other nations were opening their
lines and establishments their out
posts with forward look to the
morrow's trade. 1t was wholly
proper and has been advantageous
to them. Tardy as we are 1t will be
safer to hold our own markets &c..
care and build thereon for our trade
with the world.
A very important matter is the
establishment of the governments
business on business basis. There
was federation of the easy going, I'M
systematic method of handling our
fiscal affairs. when indirect taxation
held the public unmindful of the fed
eral burden. But there is knowledge
of the high cost Of government and
the high cost Of living is inseparably
linked with high cost Of government.
There can be no complete correction
of the high living cost until govern
ment's cost is notably reduced.
Let me most heartily commend the
enactment Of legislation providing
for the national budget system. Con-
gress has already recorded its belief
in the budget. 1t will be a very
great satisfaction to know of its
early enactment, so that 1t may be
employed in establishing the eco
Monies ana business methods 80 es-
sential to the minimum Of expendi-
ture.
Business Has Right to Normal Way.
/ have said to the people we
meant to have less of government
in business as we'll as more business
In government. 1t is we'll TO have It
understood that business has a right
to pursue its normal, legitimate and
righteous way unimpeded and It
ought to have no call to meet gov
eminent competition where all risk
l.