Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-12-06


can we buy unless we produce a
home. Sensible of every obliga
tion or humanity, commerce ant
finance, linked as they are in tht
| present world condition, it is no
to be argued that we need destroy
ourselves to be helpful to others.
= At this point must disavoW
any desire to enlarge the execu
tives powers or add to the respon,
sibilities of the office. They are
already too large. If there were
any other plan l would prefer it,.
| The grant of authority to pro-
claim would necessarily bring the
tariff commission into new and
enlarged activities, because no ex-
ecutive could discharge such a
duty except upon the information
acquired and recommendations by
this commission. But the plan is
feasible, and the proper function
ing Of the board would give us a
better administration of a defined
policy than ever can be made pos
sible by tariff duties prescribed
without flexibility.
American Valuation.
| There is a manifest difference
of opinion about the American
valuation. Many nations have
adopted delivery valuation as the
basis for collecting duties; that is,
they take the cost of the imports
delivered at the port of entry as
| the basis for levying duty. 1t is
no radical departure, in view Of
the varying conditions and the
disordered state of money values,
to provide for American valuation,
but there can not be ignored the
danger of such valuation brought
to the level of our own production
costs, making our tariffs prohibi-
tive. 1t might do so in many in
stances where imports ought to be
encouraged. believe congress
ought well to consider the desira-
bility of the only promising alter
native, namely, provision au-
thorizing proclaimed American
valuation, under prescribed con-
ditions, on any given list of arti-
cles imported.
Protection Policy.
Much has been said about the
protective policy for ourselves
making it impossible for our deb
tors to discharge their obligations
to us, This is a contention not
now pressing for decision. II we
must choose between a people in
idleness pressing for the payment
of Indebtedness, or a people resum-
ing the normal ways of employ
ment and carrying the credit, let
us choose the latter. Sometimes we
appraise largest the human i'll most
vivid in our minds. We have been
giving and are giving now, of our
influence and appeals to minimize
the likelihood of war and throw
off the crushing burdens of arma-
ment. 1t is all very earnest, with
a national soul impelling. But a
people unemployed and gaunt
with hunger face a situation quite
as disheartening as war, and our
greater obligation today is to do
the governments part toward re-
suming productivity and promot-
ing fortunate and remunerative
employment.
Something more than tariff pro-
lection is required by American
agriculture. To the farm has come
the earlier and the heavier bur
dens of readiustment. There is
actual depression in our agricul-
tural industry, while agricultural
prosperity is absolutely essential
to the general prosperity of the
country.
Cooperation Urged.
In the main the remedy lies in !
distribution and marketing. Ev-
cry proper encouragement had |
been given to the cooperative mar |
keting program. These have prov
en- very helpful to the co-operat-
ing communities in Europe. In
Russia the cooperative commun-
ity has become a recognized bull
wark of law and order, and saved
individualism from engulfment in
social paralysis. Ultimately they
will be accredited with the saliva
tion of the Russian state.
There is the appeal for this ex-
pertinent. Why not try it? None
the right of the farmer
TO larger share of the consumers
pay for his product, no one can
dispute that we cannot live with
out the farmer. He is justified in
rebelling against the transporta-
lion cost. Given a fair return for
lis labor, he will have less occa-
zion to appeal for financial aid.
md given assurance that his la
'ors shall not be in vain, we re-
assure all the people OF a produc-
ion sufficient to meet our nation
Il requirement and guard against
disaster.
Freight Adjustments.
The existing scheme Of adjust
ng freight rates has been favor
ng the baslng points. until indus
ries are attracted to some eeLiers