Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-23
a field in America that would profit

field In America that would pront
by that theory
what is true Of California is true
of other States as to their agricultural
pete with imports from cheap labor
countries, nor can Florida, nor can
Maine, nor can New York. The
American farmer cannot, the miner
cannot, the manufacturer cannot sur
vive in competition with cheap labor
and hence cheap producing countries.
Is It desirable to. close our. mills
and mines and turn out of employ
ment American citizens? Is 1t de-
sirable to ca,ise our farms to be aban-
doned? Is 1t desirable to reduce wages
of. skilled and unskilled labor to for
II So. reduce tarir duties, strike.
down the American protective tariff
theory and put into operation the
British free trade theory.
Is, It good policy to surrender the
American consuming market TO the
foreign producers? =, -. r =. y
II so, wipe out. all tariff duties and
let foreign products pour into America.
Is It craftsmanship to destroy any
American industry. be. 1t agriculture,
mining or manufacture?
II SO. Washington was not a States
man, william Mckinley was not
statesman, Theodore Roosevelt was not
q statesman, Calvin Coolidge Is not a
statesman, Herbert Hoover is not q
statesman - for each and every OF
these great men, dead and living, have
striyef1 and strive not to tear down
but to build up-not to destroy but to
encourage and keep alive American
industries whereby American labor may
ind profitable employment and there.
by enjoy q better and happier life.
The Republican platform adopted at
Kansas City contained this plank:
I'VE realize that there are certain In
dustries which cannot now successfully
compete with foreign producers because
Of lower foreign wages and lower cost
of living abroad, and we pledge the
next Republican Congress to an examj-
nation and, where necessary, o revision
of these schedules. to the end that
American labor In. these industries may
maintain its standard of living, and
may count upon steady. employment in
its accustomed field 80
The American people, by an over
whelming majority, Endorsed that plank
and the principles and policies OF gov
eminent therein expressed. scarcely
need to add that indorse that plank
in the Republican platform and snail
endeavor to have it carried into effect
through the tariff bill which Is now
under consideration by the Senate
committee on finance. =.
I hold in my hand. the most inpor-
tapt and timely document ever issued
by our Goyernment-"Wages in For
Latest Available Data Regarding Wages
in Industrial and Agricultural Employ
Inents." twas prepared by the Bureau
Of Labor Statistics under the direction
Of our Secretary. Of Labor; James J.
Davis. and, upon my suggestion, printed
as q Senate document.
In his letter Of ttanSmittal addressed
to me our Secretary. Of Labor says:
MY dear Senator Shortridge:
Tn our recent interview yo1 exc
pressed q desire, to be -authoritatively
informed regarding money wages and
hours. Of labor In industrial employ
eigp countries. Agreeing with you. that
such information will. be . Of value in
the framing and enactment Of Federal
legislation In aid of. American labor and
American industries; including agricul-
ture, I,have caused the Bureau Of Labor
Statistics to prepare a statement show
ing the rates Of wages and the hours
Of labor in many foreign countries,
making use Of ? the latest available
sources Of information.
"All wage amounts have been con-
yerted to their gold equivalent In
United States currency"
The sid condition and poor rewards
Of labor In these foreign countries ex-
plain why their people are. hoping,
striving, praying to come to America,
and give us abundant reasons. why we
tariff system.
wishing other peoples peace and
prosperity, our duty Is to safeguard