Speech #610004467

I expect the average tariff rate in the Payne bill. if it becomes a law. to be higher than the average rate has everbeen before in this country. Mr. Chairman. as indicated a few minutes ago. the early tariff idea that prevailed in this country was for. a rate just large enough to assist in supporting our Government when honestly and economically administered with an incidental protection to the infant industries. and that idea prevailed throughout most of the stages of our Government up to the time that the Republicau party became the dominant party. and conceived the idea of continuing to be the dominant party by extending special favors to a favored few by way of the hightariff route. thus making sure of financial support from that source while they made themselves solid With labor by proclaiming that the high tariff was for labors benefit instead of for the benefit of a favored few that it had really been levied in favor of: Sir. it is a sin and a shame for them to try to make labor believe that their wages were made higher than the wages of pauper labor abroad by reason of a high tariff when. as a matter of fact. supply anddemand and their organizations have brought about their improved wage condition. and not the tariff that finds its way into the "tills" of the captains of industry. Why. sir. if labor did not have a vote it would no more be thought of oi mentioned in connection with the tariff arguments and arrangements of the country than would the horses or hogs of the country. Supply and demand and labor organizations have been the sole cause of the maintenance of the superior wage scale in -this country to that prevailing in foreign countries. and the vote of the laborers has been the cause of labors mention in connection with the tariff legislation of the country.