Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1912 — HOW THE TARIFF BENEFITS (?) THE FARMER. [ARTICLE]

HOW THE TARIFF BENEFITS (?) THE FARMER.

Governor Wilson has indicated in the speeches he has made so far in the campaign . that he attaches a great deal of importance to the tariff question as it affects the farmers. The Democratic candidate put this whole question in a nutshell when he said: A “The farmer does not derive any benefit from the tariff when he goes to the market to sell hi s products, but on everything the farmer buyp there is an artificially high price, due to the—tariff tax.’’ _

High protectionists in Congress have for many years deceive a the farmer into believing that because of the tariff kept on wheat and corn; the farmer was necessarily benefitted thereby. That this is false logic is apparent to aWy student of American imports and export statistics. This country produces more wheap and con- than the American people'can consume, and this obviously makes it impossible for any foreign country to sell wheat or corn here. Europe, which is the great market f<pr the surplus American grain, uses all the grain produced there, and in addition, the European countries have to send over here for more. If there' was no tariff oh grain at ail, therefore the American farmer would-not tie manaced by the possibility! t>; tor-.Wgm tox,-': for the .n that foreigners have no grain to sell. /’ But the situation is vastly different with the farmer when he conies to buy tools, machinery, clothing, and the other necessities of life. He finds that every article that he uses in producing his crops is taxed higher and higher, until, is Mr. Wiison says, “it is getting next to impossible for the American farmer to make legitimate profits.” , The farmers’ implements, their smaller tools, wagons, household articles, clothing, lumber, and harvesting machinery have steadily risen in price. That this rise in prices has been due to the artificial causes is proven, by the tact that the identical ar-1 ticies used by the American farmer are sold abroad at rom twenty-five j to forty per cent less. B. D. Town-’ send, in his report to president 1 Roosevelt on the Harvester trust, reported that tne same harvesting machine; that were- ,oade by the trust i >n Chicago, and sold the American ; farmer at 125, are sold in Russia? for SSO and S9O. Nothing but the tariff enables the trust to thus rob the American farmer, because, if it? were not for the tariff, the danger: of competition from Canada would force the American trust to sell its' machines for one price to all. j Governor Wilson has shown a deep grasp of the tariff question as it affects the American, farmer, and it! is certain that before the campaign is over or. much older he will have some illuminating things to say to the farmer on this vital ques-! tlon. . I