64 The Tariff and the Farmer. 



reflected in the near-by occupations. A richer prospect 

 attracts mankind as irresistibly as flies are drawn by 

 molasses. If few of those in other lines do not them- 

 selves change to the more profitable, many of their chil- 

 dren not held by the ties that bind the fathers will seek 

 the richer reward. In one way or another, where men 

 are in intimate contact, profits and wages in the various 

 occupations, other things being equal, will tend to a com- 

 mon level. This is not denying that superior ability, a 

 larger purse, or powerful advantage of any kind may 

 leave those of average ability or circumstance far behind. 

 Nor do we deny that for some cause, hard to understand 

 sometimes, there is a great diversity in the value of re- 

 ward received for labor. Still the above proposition is 

 true as a general rule; and being true, the exchange of 

 service between those of the various occupations are 

 nearly if not quite on equal terms. Here the rates of 

 profit and wages are based on those received in manufac- 

 ture, which in turn are based on cost. For this reason 

 the higher cost of living caused by the protective system 

 does not have the injurious effect as upon those engaged 

 in agriculture. In the former case increased cost is bal- 

 anced by larger profits and wages. This is not true with 

 the farmer whose products sell according to degree of 

 competition. Here, no matter how high cost of living 

 may rise, if degree of competition remains the same, 

 there is nothing to increase his profits and equalize the 

 situation. Much to the same effect is this sentence of the 

 Worthy Master of the National Grange in his address at 

 the annual meeting of the organization in 1907: ^'What- 

 ever injustice may be occasioned by the existence of com- 

 binations of capital constituting trusts which are able to 

 control the output and ^^ the price of their products, 



