Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-10
THE TARIFF AND POLITICS

effort to bring the tariff into political
controversy with more emphasis
than has been attempted Of late. Ex-
perience has shown that in the past
the Democratic party has been able
to forget some Of its differences in
an attack on a Republican tariff. It
has a plenty of differences right
now, which its leaders we'll might
wish to have forgotten. They doubt
less are considering ways and means
to do so. Conditions. however, are
not altogether assuring respecting
the popularity Of the old battle-cry
Of q lower tariff. The South is
better aware than ever of its need
Of protective schedules. Even the
far West appreciates more clearly
the fact that 1t Is in the same boat
with the rest Of the country. How
ever. there are possibilities which
evidently are not being overlooked.
Our own recollections confirm the
fact that tariff uncertainty is bad
for business, far worse than would
be some inequities in the tariff
schedules. This would be especially
so now that business is struggling to
expand. On the other hand, infiu-
ences tending to lowering Of tariff
barriers are gaining somewhat from
the desire Of foreign manufacturers
to obtain loans in this country and
from the further fact that they will
urge upon the lenders the need Of
encouraging them by making this
country a more profitable market for
their manufactures. /
President Coolidge, addressing the
National Cotton Manufacturers the
other day. took occasion to call at
tention to certain features Of the
tariff, which. whatever may be our
tariff views, will be found worthy Of
attention. There is to be found in
his position reinsurance that he
will nowise contribute to disconcert-
ing tinkering Of the tariff. although
he shows an open mind toward new
problems arising. Unlawful prac-
tees must be restrained and the
President calls upon the managers Of
industry to make improper prac-
tees thoroughly questionable"
Those who talk much about fair
ness between nations, about the ne
cessity Of lowering our tariff so that
tho foreign manufacturer may live
and thrive will do we'll to consider
what the President had to say about
that phase Of the tariff situation. He
declares that "our policy Of tariff
protection is in line with the we'll
nigh universal rule of the world"
Free trade England, so-called, re-
sorts to various expedients such a.
subsidies and preferentials to bolster
up her industries and products. No
Democratic regime in this country
would venture to eradicate the pro-
tective principle from the tariff,
though they would seek, despite con-
fusion Of business and the slowing
down OF industry, to make a tariff
somewhat different. It is important
to keep these we'll established facts
in mind.
And while we are about it we
would do we'll to file away for future
reference a condition to which the
President referred. While our manu-
facturers are paying higher prices
for some Of their material, Srubber
for instance, while we are paying
more for our coffee, for nitrates, and
many other products because the
countries exporting these products
by one device or another if not in the
form OF export duties levy on these
materials a tax which we pay, yet
those same countries may come to
our country and buy any product in
fair competition with our home buy
ers. They may buy and are buying
huge quantities of petroleum, al
though there is evidence that we are
exhausting our supplies in so doing.
Think upon these things before per.
hitting the manipulators of politics
to upset conditions which make for
STABILITY and prosperitv nm a.