Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-05

aDOltlOn OF tar1ffS:
believe in tariffs. They are the
most effective means of equalizing
wages and the standard of living. How
can any one survey the astonishing de-
velopment of manufacturing In the
United States and deny that much of it
Is due to the consistent policy of
protection?
Tariff Idea Strong Medicine.
1t is the contemplation of this
phenomenon that has convinced the
people of Europe that they ought to
dose her industries out of the same
bottle. Watchers abroad have seen the
United States grow within a few gen.
erations from struggling, loose
jointed fringe Of agricultural colonies
TO the wealthiest and most powerful
nation in the world. They have seen
the science of mass production develop
behind American tariffs and they have
marveled at the workings of that other
Notwithstanding wages for employees.
The tariff idea is strong medicine.
Like most stimulants, 1t is all right If
used with caution, but it becomes bad
habit when INDUCED to excess. Europe
got busy with tariff agitation immedi-
ately after the United States raised her
rates considerably as European coun-
tries threaten to follow the American
lead and enact higher barriers, the
United States would be the logical coun-
try to suggest a conference, the pur-
pose of which would be the rationaliza-
ton of tariffs on a coordinate scale.
I realize that this is a revolutionary
proposal and that lot of private and
professional scoffers will arise to boot
at 1t. But in my opinion such a con-
ference holds the greatest hope for the
future Of foreign trade. Thirty years
ago the suggestion that a group of men
should sit down at tables and talk out
the problems of competitive ornaments
would have appeared fantastic. We
have become accustomed to seeing such
matters settled in a sane and friendly
interchange of views. Why could not
the statesmen and business leaders of
nomic questions?
Dawes Commissions Work.
A step in this direction has already
been taken. The work of the Dawes
Commission was economic. 1t dealt
with debts on the surface, but beneath
lay the industrial system of the world.
The operation was successful to the
point that the patient nearly died. The
Young Commission followed. 1t is too
early to speak definitely of its success
AAAC AhPOA bdllI ILiulS IL IIldI We are GET
ting into the habit Of talking frankly
with the people of other countries about
ornaments, debts, international dis
puteS and even economic problems.
would like very much to see the
present administration at Washington
call together the governments of all ma
tons for such gathering. Surely this
is step in the right direction. The
time should be as soon as possible-the
place, Washington.
Not only would an economic disarm-
ament conference do much to stimulate
the exchange of goods on which all
business lives, but it would help remove
dangerous commercial rivalries which
are one of the most fruitful causes of
wars.
What could conference do when all
nations seem bent on an orgy Of tariff
building?
First, it would recognize the legiti-
mate national uses of a tariff. It
should be a bulwark behind which q
nation could erect an industry which it
Is best fitted to perfect. 1t is recog-
nized that countries and races have a
genius for specialization, just as some
men have talents in particular lines.
This is what brought about foreign
trade in the first place.
In primitive tribes each family or
6AOup was oCl1 LII Ildue
every necessity of life. But the migra-
ton of one person or family to another
locality brought them in contact with
other peoples. The emigrants introduced
to their hosts the implements and
processes with which they were familiar.
In going back to the old cave to visit
the home folk they carried with them
the handiwork of the distant tribe.
Thus, one group that made better bows
or canoes than another found a demand
for its product. That was foreign
trade.
Specialization in Trade
The process has continued until spe-
cialization has reached a high state,
both with the individual and the nation.
The French are marvellous designers
and workers in objects of art. The
Bohemians are makers of fine glass
ware. Britain is shipping country.
Germanys scientific and chemical
products are admired by the world. The
United States has outdistanced all COM