Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-09-14
What Tariff Reduction VIII DO For
Kansas.

Now that we know what the tariff does
to Kansas. as set forth by Mr.. H. E. Miles,
Of the Fair Tariff League. it is also inter-
esting to note some tariff statistics with
reference.to the falling off in exports Of food
products and also what a reduction in the
tariff will do for Kansas (and other States
as well) as furnished by Senator Fletcher.
of Florida. Senator Fletcher says:
THE real cause of the decline in the
price of wheat is due to the decrease in
the foreign demand and consequent reduc-
ton in exports.
The value Of domestic exports Of prin-
cipal food products from the United States
declined by STA. 1891, 402. during the twelve
months ended June 80. 1928. as compared
with the previous twelve months period.
The sharpest decline came in exports Of
grain and preparations of grain.
THE exports Of dairy products for 1922
were 36.375.097 and for 1928 they were
$23.326.9O decline Of practically $751;
100000.
THE value Of exports of grain and
preparations Of grain in 1922 was $751;
299,059. while in 1923 it was $451.341.-
734.
Exports Of wheat in the twelve months
ended with June 80. which compared with
the crop years. were 1874, 100000 bushels.
against 20S, 100000 bushels in the cor
responding period preceding. Hence the
lowest price for wheat. SO cents in Chi
cago. since 1918.
The cause Of the falling of in exports
is the Tariff Law and its effects. The
goods Of foreign countries have been kept
out, They have not the cash or the gold
with which to pay for our surplus they would
normally take.
Even if it should be argued that the
effect of the tariff is not to limit foreign
markets for our surplus, the tariff certainly
does increase the price of every thing the
farmer buys. 1t would serve the purpose
of the farmers as well if the prices of the
things they buy were made more reason
able as if the prices of the things they
sell were advanced. This would increase
the price Of their wheat expressed in COM
modities-it would increase its purchasing
power, and the farmers are more interested
in the purchasing power of their products
than in the prices.
THE conclusion is irresistible that there
is one remedy for the farmer. and only
one-smash the protective tariff. Every |
other plan merely serves to turn them
from their only remedy"
Fall Suits And Overcoats Higher,
But Don't Blame The Merchant.
About this time Of the year the purchase
of fall suits and overcoats BEGIN and
manufacturers have already indicated that
there will be increases in the prices of
both ito absorb the increased prices Of
wOolens and other materials" In addition
to the tariff Of 81 cents pound in secured
wool. which it is estimated ultimately cost
the consumer 86.6 cents. the prices of
woolens and worsteds have been twice
advanced since 1922 and twice in 1928.
At the time the eastern wooden mills
yielded to the demands Of their employees
and granted slight increase in pay,
the New York Tribune. Republican news
paper reported that these increases ranged
from IL 1-2 to 81 l-2 cents yard. Some
of the mills boosted prices from rs to IS
cents yard. and iobbers and other mid
dlemen added their advance and pyra-
mided it.
1t is unfortunate that the first resent
ment Of the public caused by the increased
price of wooden clothing should be mari
tested against the retailer. who in most
instances, is in no wise to blame. Pri-
marily the blame rests with the Wooden
Trust in whose interest the high rates on
wool were levied. The only other persons
to profit from the wool schedule are very
few wool growers and their profits are only
temporary as is shown by the fact that
since 1867 the price of wool in the Ameri-
can markets has been virtually on a level
with the price Of wool in the world market
at London.
Retail merchants would gladly welcome
reduction in the wool tariff as well as
consumers because il would in no wise
decrease their profits but would greatly
add to the volume of trade