The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-02-18

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til we are forced into submission to
the foreign producer, to be crushed
under the burden OF rising prices while
the foreigner is taking his profit at
rHiRous cost to US?
The difference between protected
and an unprotected industry, as
brought out IN the discussions at the
Southern Tariff Congress in Atlanta,
is that under protection prices will
increase with booming industrial con-
ditions, which will provide income
with which to buy the things we need,
while without protection industry viii
cease until we are helpless, when
prices again will rise while we will
not have resources with which TO pur-
chase the necessaries of life. 1t is the
end of the price curve upon which our
attention must remain fixed; in the one
case it will ascend along with pros
perity; IN the other case it viii run
down while there is competition from
domestic products, after which it win
rise along with growing poverty and
misery.
The desperate condition of the farm
ers all over America demands instant
relief. 1t is a grave question of sur
yival. Serious foreign complications
are now under discussion by our state
department. They may easily develop
in national perils of great magnitude
Our inability to provide the neces-
saries of life on account of depleted
reserve stocks from our farms and
mines, and because of the unreadiness
Of decaying plants to resume produc.
ton, will weaken US so as to invite
diplomatic controversies that might
lead to war. The surest protection
against war is self-suffciency. When
we are facing destructive competition
that is closing our factories, closing
our mines, raiding our cattle industry
causing abandonment of the culture OF
our most necessary crops, we are lay
ing our country open t9,reprisals from
aggressive nations and tying tn,
hands of our diplomats because of oul
impotency.
Earnest protest against the condI
tions that would impoverish our PEG
pie and lead US into such perils wa!
persistently emphasized at the Atlant.
caSc;opC Tho Jaxvx,o+a 90 +ba ,,,aa+;x,,
may be said to have been the verdic
that protection was not and neve
I. again must be allowed to become
party question. 1t was pointed on
by George w. Armstrong; by John p
Kirby. the president of the Southern
Tariff Association, and by many othe
speakers, that the democratic part,
had no reason for weakening its in
fiuence by upholding antagonist
principles. Southern statesmen wer
the fathers of the tariff for protection
in this country. The first tariff bil
in the history of the United State
was introduced into Congress b
James Madison. No man ever state
the fundamental principles and tn
necessity of protection more clearl
or more forcefully than Thomas Jei
ferson. The historic policy of til
democratic party is for protection I
American industry. The historic pc
. icy of the republican party also is fe
protection to American industry. PIT
. Election is the policy of the America
\ people, on which and through whic
they make it possible to live on a be
\ ter plane. and to advance in civilizs
ton faster than the rest of the worl,
Another striking feature of ii
discussions was the constant reiters
ton of demand for equalizing dt
ties. There was no sign of desire
build an unscalable tariff wall arour
\ the United States in the sense Of al
solute prohibition of importation
That is to say, the recognition of qau
ity and reasonableness of price
\ commodities was involved in Il
\ amount of duties solicited. 1t Wa
4 felt that tariff that would put Il
H foreign article upon an even plane ,
/ cost with the domestic output wou
work to the advantage of business
/ this country, and avoid laying ar
\ burden of unjust prices upon the An
II erican consumer. This meets the Chi
objection of opponents of the tariff.
4 Deeply significant of the new er
when men of all parts of the Unitt
States, north. south, east and ives
shall cooperate in truly Americs
Il spirit for the protection of our indu
H tries, was the presence of Vice Pres
dent-elect Coolidge at the Southel
n Tariff Congress. 1t was the first tin
in our generation that a republics
vice. president has participated direc
II ly with Southerners in movement f,
II the welfare of Southern producers.
II this instance all stood on CONNIE
II ground, and Mr.. Coolidge was receiv,
II las a friend whose influence could