THE TARIFF QUESTION IN THE UNITED STATES.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SLII,—The following extract from a letter of a foreign officer now holding a scientific post in the United States may possibly be of interest at the present time.—I am, Sir, &c.,
H. F. B.
"Prices here are getting higher and higher these last years. The scale of living is gradually rising, all due directly or indirectly to this absurd tariff, which puts billions of dollars in the pockets of the owners of the industrial establishments and of the means of transportation. It is on a large scale a plundering of the public, and most felt by fixed-salary people. The steel industry pays at least SO per cent, on real value, and 10 per cent. on watered stock, showing positively the pernicious effect of the tariff ; and the price of steel enters into all other prices directly or indirectly. The same with coal, which we ought to have for 5 or 4 dols. a ton. We pay 750 dols. because of the tariff, and because the coast-wise shipping is monopolised for American ships. It is curious that the more prosperous trade and industry are, the more 'marvellous' the growth of the wealth of this country is, the higher are the prices of labour, and consequently the higher the cost of living, and therefore the more hard the times for the salaried people."
Previous page
