Evening star., 1932-10-22

OF foreigners to buy our goods, and they
say to the American workman that he
would produce and sell more goods for
export If there were q lower tariff.
/ call your attention to the fact that
% per cent of the market for the Amer
ican workman is within the borders Of
the United States and 7 per cent out
side the borders. They propose to
of all countries In the world with the
fantastic idea that the American farm
er and worker can reduce his standard
Of living so as to increase his part OF
the per cent, by reducing bis stand
ards to those of labor which can only
buy one-third as much bread and
butter.
Decrease in Exports.
They say that the decrease In our
exports during this crisis has been due
to the retaliatory measures against our
tariff. This can be disposed Of in the
easiest fashion In the world. Two
thirds of the goods imported into the
United States are OH the free list, and
the decrease in our imports has been
just exactly in the same percentage on
free goods as 1t has been On dutiable
goods. 1t must be obvious that some
force Is working in the world which
affects free goods just the same as pro-
tected goods.
could give you still further answer
in the fact that American trade has
fallen in the worldwide depression from
the same causes that have affected
other countries and in about the same
amount or even less than other coun-
tries. I would also call attention TO the
fact that since our great measures for
recovery have been in free action during
the past four months, imports and ex-
ports of the United States have in
creased % per cent.
If the stories you are told are true.
that our trade has been destroyed. this
increase must come as a great disap-
The fact is that foreign trade comprises
but small portion of our national ac-
tivities 1t is valuable portion of
our national activities. 1t is a valuable
portion, but when we consider the well
being of American homes and families,
the preponderant safeguard to those
families lies in maintaining for them
the domestic market of the United
States.
There is no part of this Union where
these matters SO definitely apply as to
this State Of West Virginia, where the
dangers to you and your employment
and living are SO great by change in
our policies.
Discusses Coal Industry.
There is another question of vast in
terest to the people of West Virginia
and one Of Nanking importance with
your agricultural activities and second
only to that of all States in the Union
that is, your bituminous coal industry.
The competition of oil, electricity
improved efficiency in use of coal-aIl
tend to prevent the expansion of your
industry. or even its maintenance on a
fair level These competitors have in
my view about exhausted themselves
and the natural growth Of the country
will give to you greater future.
But in the meantime the industry has
been reduced to a bitter. destructive
competition, the main burden of which
falls upo'l the backs of those who labor
know :he hardships that have been
piled upon this industry and the men
engaged in it.
A large part Of my life was con-
cerned with the mining industry.
have worked with pick and shovel at
the face; have managed coal mines
IN large scale am interested in the
restoration of that industry as every
man is interested in the welfare of an
industry in which his own profession
is involved
The coal we use in steel. chemicals
and manufactured articles is itself de-
pendent on the tariff. for without the
tariff on those goods there would be no
demand from those manufacturers for
coal. Therefore the welfare of the coal
industry is tied up with the mainte-
nance Of an adequate protective tariff
on industry for which we stand. The
tariff has contributed to prevent fur
ther unemployment in the mines.
In order to protect the industry and
the labor engaged therein from the
competition of foreign oil, co-operated
with the Senator from your State and
others in securing an excise tax on the
o,4a of a;I-