Danger In Tariff Fanaticism

DANGER IN TARIFF FANATICISM.

Warnings from lifelong champions of protection in connection with the narrow, purblind, senseless opposition to Cuban reciprocity may have as little effect as appeals to duty and national honor, but they are symptomatic and significant. Some time ago Senator Gallinger declared himself, not in spite but because of his protectionist convictions, a firm advocate of reasonable concession to Cuba. senator Proctor followed him, and now Senator Platt of Connecticut, the author of the Platt amendment, emphasizing a previous statement, says:

"I am a protectionist and have been so much so that I have been called a partisan. I am as strong a protectionist now as ever, but I believe concessions can be made on Cuban products in return for Cuban tariff concessions on American products, which would greatly benefit the trade of both countries and not appreciably injure any American industry. I think the cause of protection is being wounded now in the house of its professed friends, and that the free trader cannot injure the cause of protection as much as protectionists who insist upon unreasonable and unnecessary customs duties."

the situation is not exceptional. the unreasoning extremists always have defeated their own ends, and always will do so. History contains no lessons for them. What Senator Platt so forcibly tells the militant antis was expressed even more strikingly several days ago by the president of the New England Tobacco growers' association, H. S. Frye, who was compelled to resign his office in disgust. His honest opinions and beliefs had given offense to the fanatical element in the association, and Mr. Frye severed his connection with it.

In indignation he spoke of "men and interests gone so mad with the frenzy of greed and selfishness that all common sense has ceased to be part and parcel of their being." He added:

"All who know me personally know that every dollar I have in the world is tied up in and dependent on the prosperity of the New England leaf interests, and that any injury to those interests would result in as deep and serious injury to me as to any other tobacco farmer of my limited means, and I hope my friends will give me credit for not hankering after financial ruin, just to gratify a passing fancy or whim."

Mr. Frye correctly says that the most strenuous opponents of Cuban reciprocity are those whose interests would be least affected by reasonable concessions. It is the simple truth that there is not a grain of sense or decency in the furious opposition to the way of honesty, honor and enlightened self-interest in Cuba.

---Chicago Post.

__________________________________

While the time is passing before the suit of the Ann Arbor Water company is brought to restrain the city from enforcing the ordinance of Dec. 16 last, the people will do well to think on the next step to be taken, if the Water company gains its point, which it is quite likely to do. Having put its hand to the plow, the city should not turn back even if the company secures the perpetual injunction it prays for. but the citizens should in the mean time have it well thought out what they will do when confronted with the knowledge that they cannot secure reasonable water rates through an ordinance lowering those rates. Having entered upon the purpose of securing for water consumers a lower water tariff, there should be no let up in the good purpose until that purpose is secured. In all probability the only way to secure it is through municipal ownership. the purchase of the water-works by the city will secure this. are the citizens ready for this move providing the city is defeated in the injunction case? This method of solution is possible. there can be no question about that. It will mean a large sum of money or debt for the city to put up, but there will be saving in it in the end. the city can pay for the plant in form fourteen to twenty-one years without the cost of another dollar probably than the water takers are paying now and then the city will own the plant. Of course there are other and better ways for the city pay for the plant than by continuing the present rates in case the decision is to purchase. But the foregoing statement indicates what may be accomplished with any ore outlay than is made now. this solution of the problem is feasible and citizens will do well to have the matter well thought out by the time a decision of the injunction case is reached so that there need not be another long wait before steps are taken to bring about the purchase of the plant.