The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-06-02

-NS6@o ~ P4GCCOCtIy dlEHOuSn III the
absence Of precedent, our country
has not been averse to initiating new
doctrines. The Tariff question in
America dates from our country's
birth. We have ample opportunity to
look back and compare notes on the
advantages and disadvantages of the
various Tariff acts during the past
century and half. In every instance
the record shows that with every
Free-Trade regime there came a
period of depression, and that this de-
preston continued until the country
was again relieved by a higher Tariff.
The curse of Free-Trade in Amer
lea was amply described by Horace
Greeley, when he wrote:
"Our years of signal distress and
depression have been those in which
our ports were more easily flooded
with foreign goods-those which in-
tervened between the recognition of
our independence and the enactment
of the Tariff of 1889; those which
followed the close of our last war
with Great Britain and were signal
lied by immense importations of her
fabrics-those of 18S7-42, when the
compromise of 1888 began to be SER
iously felt in the reduction of duties
on IMPORTS. and those of 1854-57
when the Polk-Walker Tariff of 1916
had had time to take full effect"
If Mr.. Greeley were alive today,
we venture to say that his enumera-
tion of periods of distress would also
include the following -"Also the
periods during the Wilson administra-
tion before and after the Great World
War, and up to the time when a
proper Tarff policy could be enacted
and become operative" In support
of this statement it could be we'll
asked, "What was the Wilson admin
istration to show for it's eight years
of Free-Trade policies?" Is there a
Free-Trader who can consistently
answer this question?
In considering economc questions
it is well to remember that the wealth
of nation is measured not so much
by abundance of natural assets as it
is by the number of moral, healthy
and contented people composing it.
The most valuable natural resources
will go for naught if the inhabitants
of the country are not given the
wherewithal and the encouragement
to put these resources to use and real
ize on them. The most important ele-
ment in progressive, commercial and
industrial enterprise is contentment
of the working class, which can only
be made possible by decent surround
ings, fair wages and steady employ
ment. A farmer does not raise his
crop merely to gaze at it in admira-
tion after it has reached full growth
His one object is to dispose of that
crop to his advantage and not to his
disadvantage. The workman applies
his mechanical skill to his work, not
only because he takes pride in the re-
suit of his handicraft, but because he
is rewarded in wages for his services.
He must work to live. The employer
is willing to pay the workman de-
cent wage, as long as the market for
his product exists and he is able to
realize on the sale of his output. He
is willing to increase the cost of pro-
duction by making of his workshop a
better and more wholesome place to
work. In this way he also increases
the efficiency of his workmen.
The American employer has done
more in the way of improving condi-
tiOns among his employees than any
other country in the world. He is
striving at all times to make his work
ing force better in health, more effic-
lent and more contented. In these
efforts he should be given all reason
able cooperation on the part of the
government.
The markets for the output of
American labor are right here IN
America. Foolish Free Trade legisla-
ton has at times deprived US of these
markets, always with the same result,
that after Free-Trade had spread un-
employment and hard times through
out the country, a Protective Tariff
Policy was adopted in order to re-
store prosperity and contentment.
That is the condition we are in to-
day. After eight years of Free-Trade
rule, the country finds itself up
against the wall, with cries of unem-
ployment on all sides. Machinery
and equipment stand idle in factories
and mills, while foreign merchandise
flows into the country without restric-
ton. The one ray of light that buoys
ND the confidence of the people and
DR.. Emery Catudal came over from
Plainville, Saturday, to attend the
Knights of Columbus festivities held
here Sunday