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WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
VOL. 12, NO, 52
Lincoln, Nebraska, January 3, 1913
Whole Number 624
TARIFF FALLACIES ANSWERED
The following questions were submitted to
Mr. Bryan by a representative of the Boston
Transcript. The answers will be found follow
ing the questions.
First. The possibility of lowering the cost of
living by tariff reduction.
Answer. Tariff reduction can lower the cost
of living to the extent that tariff duties have
increased that cost. Where the price level in
this country is, through the operation of tariff
duties, raised above the price level in other
countries, it can be reduced by reducing the
tariff.
Second The possibility that 'lowered cost of
commodities vould be followed by lower wages.
Answer. A lowering of wages would not
necessarily follow a lowering of the tariff.
Wages do not depend upon the tariff but upon
competition between wage earners. A reduction
in the prices of the product would naturally in
crease the demand, and an increase in demand
would increase the number of employes neces
sary to produce the larger quantity demanded,
and thus the tendency would be to increase
wages rather' than to lower them. The protec
tionists have for a generation threatened a re
duction in wages if the tariff is reduced, but
the threat does not rest upon an economic basis,
and it is evident that it has failed this year to
make the impression that it has in former cam
paigns. Third. The possibility that there might then
be the same discrepancy between wages and cost
of living.
Answer. This question is hypothetical and
it is answered in the answer to the second
question.
Fourth. Tho possibility that tariff reduc
tion would entail new taxation for revenue
which would bear just as heavily.
Answer. This question seems to assume that
a reduction in taxation would not result in
greater revenue. It is not only possible, but
probable that a reduction in tho tariff would
increase tho revenue by increasing the imports
and at tho same time increaso tho demand for
labor by increasing the domestic output. Whore
the tariff is prohibitory it may result in plac
ing a heavy burden upon the consumer with
out yielding any revenue at all. It is a common
mistake of protectionists to measure tho burden
borno by the consumer by tho amount of th
taxes collected, whoreas tho peoplo may pay to
tho protected intercuts many tlmos tho amount
that reaches tho treasury. If, for Instance, w
import one-tenth as much of a glvon artlclo as
wo consumo and tho domestic Industry collect
approximately tho full amount of tho tariff,
tho burden upon tho peoplo Is ton times aa
great as tho amount rocolvcd by the government
In revenue. In such a case a reduction In tho
tariff might doublo the revenue and at the wwno
tlmo compel such a reduction In tho price of
tho domestic artlclo as to greatly Increase tho
demand and thus aid tho consumer and the
laborer.
Tho fourth question permits of nn additional
answer, namely, that no new form of taxation
would bo likely to bear aH heavily upon tho
masses as tariff (nxation, for thero Is no other
form that bears moro unequally upon tho public.
It would bo dinicult, therefore, to find a now
system which would not he moro Just to tho
masses than tho tax on consumption which they
have so long borne a system under which tho
poor man pays moro than his share, and tho rich
man less than his share.
A NEW YEAR'S RESOLVE
Tho custom of "turning over a new leaf" on
New Year's day 13 a commendable one the old
one is likely to bo unsightly even when we have
done, our bestt It is helpful to take an annual
inventory and see just what unsalable stock we
have on hand and what we need in the way of
new goods. It Is well to make new resolves
even little resolves, are good, but why not big
ones? Why not the biggest of all? And what
Is the biggest of all resolves? Is it not the re
solve that contemplates the greatest possible
improvement? Here i3 a resolve for the new
year havo you a better one?
Conscious of my responsibility to God for
every thought and word and deed, and in duty
bound to render to my fellowmen the largest
possible service as the best evidence of my love
for my Heavenly Father, I resolve to strive dur
ing the remainder of my life to increaso my
capacity for usefulness. To this end I will
give up any cause of conduct that tends to
weaken my body, impair the strength of my
mind or lower my moral purpose, and I will 'not
only endeavor to cultivate habits of industry in
both body and mind but will seek and follow
worthy ideals.
prominent financiers were seen to dodge when
they read it. The identification is as complete
as it was in the ca3e of the poker player, a
one-eyed msin, who wan ouopectod of choatlng.
Another man at the table stood it as long as he
could and then courteously remonstrated: "I
do not mean to bo porsonal but if tho man who
has been cheating cheats any moro I'll shoot
his other oyo out."
ANARCHY, ALSO
THE IDENTIFICATION COMPLETE
In his New York speech before tho Southern
society, Governor Wilson, speaking of panics,
said: "The machinery is in existence by which
the thing can bo deliberately done. Frankly, I
K UUU U UUUUVC LllUIC ID llllj JllU.ll UTlUb - U'UKO
to use machinery for that purpose. If he does,
I promise him, not for myself but for my fel
low countrymen, a gibbet as high as Hainan's."
He does not mention any names, but several
Associated Press dispatches show that at the
very moment when thirty-two representatives of
labor are being sentenced to prison upon convic
tion of complicity in dynamite outrages federal
officials are making organized search for William
Rockefeller, tho Standard Oil magnate. Tho
sergeunt-at-arms of the house of representatives
has long hold a subpoena commanding Mr.
Rockefeller to appear before the house investi
gating committee. Rockefeller has successfully
evaded service and his friends appear to regard
it as a great joke. It is not a joke. It is plain
defiance of law. ,
Several years ago John D. Rockefeller hid
from the officers for a long period of time and
that also was a joke, in the opinion of tho
Rockefeller friends. It may not bo doubted that
William Rockefeller will be hunted down and
required to appear before the committee. To
permit him to escape would be to recognize
exemption from legal process on the part of
trust magnates.
CONTENTS
TARIFF FALLACIES ANSWERED
A SURPRISE COMING
A NEW YEAR'S RESOLVE
"WATCH OUT WILSON! BRYAN
BEWARE!"
PROSPEROUS FARMER IN HOLLAND
CURRENT TOPICS
THE CONSERVATION OF RURAL
HEALTH
HOME DEPARTMENT
WHETHER COMMON OR NOT
WASHINGTON NEWS
NEWS OF THE WEEK
MILLENIUM A LONG WAY OFF
A person who has recently inherited a mil
lion and a half and has ten million more to come
has spent two-thirds of the amount in six
months, and as the following would indicate, is
looking forward longingly to the next distribu
tion: "I am going to have the very best sort of a
good time, for what is money for if it is not to
give one access to real enjoyment? I have al
ready started to have a good time, I'm having
it and I'm going to have still more of It. I'm go
ing to have all the good time that money can
buy."
What an insipid prospect! Wo soon tiro of
dessert when we ea.t nothing else.
The millenuim is a long way off if there aro
many who believe that no better use can be
found for money than to "have all the good
time that money can buy."
It is interesting to learn how many republi
can officials married Into democratic families
and all the wife's relatives seem to believe In
the husband's retention.
A SURPRISE COMING
That tho readers of Tho Commoner may
know what a queer view Home poopio take, tho
following letter, which recently appeared In tho
New York Tribune, is reproduced:
"New York, Dec. 20, 1912. To tho Editor of
Tho Tribune: Sir At this time of tremendous
agitation concerning tho high priced govern
ment investigating committees, which accomp
lish nothing, but stir up strife, I do not bolievo
thero is a single person connected with thom
or with tho government who would not Hko to
bo in Mr. Morgan's shoes or occupy tho posi
tion held by Mr. Rockefeller. Does any ono
suppose for a moment that the disintegrated
parts of tho former so-called "oil trust" will
work individually? No, a thousand times, no!
They will work in harmony. Docs any one sup
pose that tho sub-divisions of the former "to
bacco trust" will be run In an independent man
ner? Again, I say, no! They will all work
for the parent company. The oil magnates havo
made millions by the dissolution and the holders
of tobacco shares aro richer thanks to these
high priced investigations. I am not a financial
magnate, nor In fact do I hold any high position
in tho world of finance; but I am heartily sick
of all this business agitation, and, judging from
tho last election, a good many men agree with
mo as to tills "trust busting" business. Let
us hope that Mr. Wilson may see that tho busi
ness of this country needs a rest. Let us havo
peace! F. H. E."
"F. H. E." sets forth his position on several
questions. First, ho Is opposed to "Investiga
tions." He regards them as "high priced."
Second, ho slanders his fellowmen by assuming
that all of them would Hko to be In the shoes of
Morgan or Rockefeller. He can not conceive of
any higher life than that lived by these men
whose methods are now being Investigated.
Third, ho knows of no way of protecting tho
peoplo from private monopoly It can not bo
done, ho thinks. "No, a thousand times, no."
Fourth, instead of blaming the government for
not Insisting upon a real dissolution ho declares
that the rise in stocks that has camo to tho oil
trust and tobacco trust since tho so-called "dis
solutions" ho takes the absurd position that tho
agitators are responsible for the rise that la
like blaming the prosecuting attorney for grand
larceny committed by a criminal after a con
viction for petit larceny. Conclusion: Ho Is
"heartily sick of all this business agitation."
He wants President-elect Wilson to look on
while the trusts continue to despoil their victims.
This is "F. H. E's." idea of "peace."
What a surprise he has in store for him If
ho thinks that the incoming president shares.
his views.
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