Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-07-27
TARIFF AND TAX LAWS

the House with several important
amendments may not find passage
through the Senate as quickly. Effort
is being made to give taxation the
right of way, sidetrackinS the tariff
while that is being done. In support
of this is the evident uncertainty
existing because of iniquitous tax
methods and the argument is strong
that if certainty may be substituted
the looked for Improvement in bust
ness conditions would result. Mean
while there is in force an emergency
tariff which affords some protection.
Opposition to schedules is expected
even among friends Of tariff meas
ure, and some of the objections have
force. such as those against the pro-
posed oil duty TO which the House
wisely yielded. The partisan opposi-
ton, however is the parrot like re-
iteration for campaign purposes of
the talk which has Uttered the Con-
gressonal Record whenever the tariff
has been under consideration The
same old slogan that the tariff is be
ing made to reward contributors to
the campaign fund. that did service
when conditions might seem to have
warranted II, is being shouted from
the house tops. All with recollection
of the campaign contributions to the
Republican fund the last election
know that these contributions came
from every part of the country and
were not confined to the large inter
ests seeking reward: the response be-
ing much more general than that
given the Democratic party.
Before giving heed to this sort of
objurgation the voter better go back
in his mind to the conditions exist
ing under the Democratic tariff just
before the war began. In that way
only may he make a fair comparison
The war changed foreign countries
from competitors to eager buyers of
all our commodities. Before the war
conditions set in unemployment was
prevalent in many parts Of this coun-
try. Our markets were open to the
foreign producer and he was taking
his advantage. The importers were
thriving. That always happens after
the foreigner establishes his footing
In the market. The country was get
ting just what it must expect when
ever it admits the foreign producer
to our market with an advantage over
the domestic producer. Let them
come on equal terms, but not with
the advantage of cheap labor and
cheap money.
1t is difficult thing to adjust the
tariff. Occasionally results other
than those intended occur 1t must
of necessity be a human instrument
and subject to human shortsighted-
ness. Even now the experts are dis
agreeing over the methods of valua-
ton, difficult problem If the valu-
alton TO be taken shall be that of the
country from which the article comes
an injustice is being done. The coun-
try, like England, that has kept it's
rates of exchange fairly well sup
ported would be at serious disad-
vantage as against a country like
Germany; whereas if the valuation
imposed be that which prevails in
this country at the time Of receipt it
would be. fair deal all around. 1t is
contended that no one really knows
how this plan would work out. and
furthermore that it would be placing
undue power in the hands of our Gus
toms officials. Yet one, who objects
to the adoption Of the American
valuation, admits that in that wav
only may the exchange situation be
met.
Because of these difficulties and
uncertainties We might not. if we
would, do without a tariff; we have
70 raise money and that is one of the
ways by which it must be secured.
The interests of the American pro-
ducers and those of the foreign pro-
ducers represented by the importers
are calculated to give rise to some
honest differences of opinion, not
mentioning the other variety. But a
tariff We must have and it must be
made insofar as possible in the in
terests of this country. The lob il
a big one. II done even reasonably
well time for consideration must be
devoted to 1t. This 1t should have;
the conditions just now are not so
serious as to warrant haste. Con-
gress ought to be able to give some
thought to the tariff when directly
interested in revising the tax laws.
Why not. then, revise the tax laws
first?