, 1922-06-06
Don't DESTROY Buying Power

THE AMERICAN voter should always keep in
l. mind this fact that the interests OF the impost-
ers of foreign goods are promoted by the tariff pol
ices of the Democratic party and the interests OF
the American producers are advanced by the tariff
policies of the Republican party. The Democratic
theory that it is hest to buy the cheapest ignores
the obvious truth that the country will soon lose
its buying power If it practices the policy of buying
abroad while its own industries are ignored and
neglected.
The importers of italian lemons were among the
most ardent supporters OF the Democratic candi-
dates in 1912, when the tariff was n prominent is
sue and when, unfortunately there was a split in
the Republican party. Buying lemotJ in Italy be-
cause they can be bought there more cheaply than
IN California is certain to result in diminished buy
ing power among the lemon growers of the United
States. Buying glassware in the Netherlands, cut
iery and optical goods and dyes in Germany, cotton
and wool manufactures in England, dried fruits in
the Far East, and various other commodities In
various other foreign countries when similar goods
could be produced in the United States III larger
Quantities, must inevitably reduce the buying pow
sr of those who depend upon those industries for Il
livelihood. Thus our domestic market is weakened
and all our commercial interests are impaired.
The first thought of those who would promote
the welfare of American industry should be for the
producer. Whether in the most primitive form,
or in our present highly complex organization,
prosperous production must precede satisfactory
consumption. Giving first thought TO the consum-
er, as the Democrats undertake to do, is putting the
cart before the horse, to use an ancient but appro-
pirate expression. There are numerous commodi-
ties which cannot be produced in the United States
at all, or in insufficient quantities, and in those in
stances there must be large purchases abroad. But
in every instance of commodities that can be pro-
duced here, it is to the interes; not only of the
workers directly employed in each particular in.
dustry but to the interest of those depending upon
general prosperity for their success, that purchase
of the home product be encouraged.
Appeals to patriotism and loyalty to home IN
dustries will not suffice. The importer, often a for
eigner by birth, is tempted by the opportunity to
make a larger profit for himself by purchasing the
product of cheap labor in a foreign land and sell
ing it here at a price with which American labor
cannot compete.
With the exception of an import tax, no effective
means of restricting importations has ever been de:
vised. Such a tax, based upon difference in cost of
production here and abroad, does not shut out all
importations and give the home producer an abso-
lutte monopoly, but does shut out importations at
a price that would be destructive of American in
dustry. Under protective tariff rates as enacted in
the past, there have been iinportations large
enough to ~disprove the assertion that the Republi
can policy would erect a Chinese wall of trade ex-
clusion.
All that the Republicans ask is that American pro
ducers shall have at least an equal chance in their.
home market, and this, it IL submitted is in the
interest of the whole country.