Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 June 1891 — HOW THE TARIFF WORKS AND “WORKS." [ARTICLE]

HOW THE TARIFF WORKS AND “WORKS."

Indianapolis News, republican: There was a pretty little case of “going for w’ool and getting shorn," illustrated recently by the Home Market Club of Boston, which wrote to Mr. A. B. Farquahar, of York, Pa. that “having recently seen a statement attributed to you that your firm sells goods in the Latin countries south of us and in south Africa at prices from 5 to ID per cent., less than they are sold for in this country," they wanted to know if it was a fact; and they wanted to know several other things. Their thirst forknowledge was gratified, in an unexpected way, we imagine, for Mr. Farquahar answered yes, that it was true that his firm sells implements and machinery through Mexico, South America and Africa “at prices from 5 to 10 per cent, less than they are sold for in this country, and that the manufacturer who is able to export his goods can have no use for protection except to enable him to extort more money from home purchasers than he is able to get fvom tho- e abroad. He further said, in answer to questions, that his firm sent about half its manufactures abroad, and that The reason we do not get as good prices abroad as at home is that we have to compete with countries having the great advantage of free raw materials in their manufactures and the further advantage of better transportation facilities. Great Britain, in pursuance of herfree-trade policy, has for years been extending her foreign commerce; while we, pursuing an opposite policy, have left her in full possession. The Clyde ship yards arc open to every European Investor who wishes to start a line of steamers, while we must satisfy ourselves with vessels luilt at a dozen disadvantages. Further, said Mr. Farquahar, “thevalue of the raw material in a plow certainly averages more than half its total cost. We manufacture thousands of four-horse plows, for instance, for the Africanlmarket. This plow r is delivered on board vessels in New York for less than ss—about the cost of the material in it if purchased at retail prices.” Handles and beam, - - $1 00 Steel and iron, - - - 200 Boxing, freight, etc., - - 55 Total, . $3 55 —leaving about $1 for cost of labor and profit. He further goes on record thus: I would unhesitatingly favor a repeal of the duty on all the manufactured goods we make. Since we can and do export, the duty can be of no possible service: and since it tends to provoke retaliation, wo find it a serious obstacle. He adds that he believes that American manufacturers generally would be able to sell many more goods abroad than now if they had free raw material. The importation of this material would of itself stimulate a demand for American products abroad, it is difficult to estimate the percentage, but he should expect an increase of at least 25 per cent. All which we respectfully commend to the American consumer, and particularly the farmer, who can’t buy American plows within 5 or 10 per cent, as cheap as the “niggers” in Africa buy then - -all on account of our tariff.