Evening star., 1924-07-21
DAVIS TO ADVOCATE
COMPETING TARIFF
FavorS Levies Sufficiently
High to Preserve Fair
Chance for Americans.
MAY MARK END OF ISSUE
Many Democrats Leaning Toward
View That Question Should
Be Scientific.
MAY MARK END OF ISSUE
BY ROBERT II. SMALL,

John w. Davis is to introduce an
entirely new tariff note in the com
Ing presidential campaign. He will
lead the Democrats in a broader
stand on this subject than they have
ever taken before. 1t was extremely
gratifying to Mr.. Davis to find after
his nomination that the platform
adopted in Madison Square Garden
conceded very largely with his own
views
Mr.. Davis long has believed in
what he calls a competitive tariff"
To his mind the proper tariff for the
American producer is one that will
permit him to compete on fair basis
with foreign production, where labor
costs are cheaper because living
standards are lower This is a far
cry from the free trade" label which
once was attached to all Democrats.
but it is in line with what Mr..
Davis believes to he sound economic
theorles. 1t also meets the demands
from solidly Democratic sections Of
1he country that the tariff be reck-
oned on scientific rather than a
political basis. The South now has
many interests that require a tariff
TO keep them on a fair competitive
of the world.
Party Views Much Alike.
Although the Democrats Will con-
tinue to assail the Republican policy
of "protection," their tariff declara-
tions do not leave the two old par
ties in theory so very far apart
There is no doubt but that the bust
ness interests of the country have
hailed the new Democratic views with
great deal of satisfaction. Demo-
cratic victories in the past have been
looked forward to as upsetting to do
mestic industry built on on d fairly
high tariff foundation. The new Demo-
cratic theory that production shall be
guarded on a fair competitive basis
removes one Of the bugaboos of the
old campaigns.
Under Democratic rule tariff no
longer would be levied for revenue
only" but would be- fixed on Il basis
of fair revenue" for the government
and the assurance of proper competi-
tive standards for American produc-
ton.
Will Fight "Protection."
The idea of competitive tariff is
not entirely new one Prominent
Democrats, among them John T. Bar
nett of Colorado, who comes from a
sugar producing state, have for some
time been advocating the competitive
idea as a means Of meeting Republi-
can prOteCtioniSm. which for so long
has had such strong appeal in both
industrial and agricultural sections.
Mr.. Barnett has argued with his
brother Democrats that a competitive
tariff is in line with Democratic pol
icies through all the ages of Ameri-
can history.
The word competition has popular
ring TO il. The word protection"
carries with it, on the other hand
the Democrats say the idea or
coddling and protecting beyond the
lines of reason. They VIII continue
to berate protection" because of
this fact.
Mr. Davis is expected to go further
in the exposition of his tariff ideas
than the party platform. He Will
also express himself more directly
on the subject. The platform con-
tains the competitive declaration.
but buries it under grand de-
nunciation of the Fordney McCumber
act. which is scCurged as the most
unjust. unscientltic and dishonest
tariff tax measure ever enacted IN
our history"
AsSail Republican Bill
The Democrats further assailed the
act as class legislation. which de-
frauds all the people. for the beneht
of the few" as heavily increasing
the cost of living" as penal1zing
agriculture, corrupting the Govern
ment. fostering paternaliSm. and IN
the long run failing to benetit the
very interests for which 1t was en-
acted" No tariff act ever received
such overwhelming Remuneration as
the platform makers of Madison
Square hurled at the tordney-M Nc
Cumber law.
The Democratic position, stated in
very few words at the end of the