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Show LifelohgDemocrat Tells Why He Has Joined the G. O.P Frad J., Kissel Says' Free Trade Is Ruinous Policy Fpr the . Watt T, Ogden March 2. Because ot tho prosperity which he says he found marked Republican administrations; becauso the high protection policy advocated by the Republican party has produced prosperous conditions (n other countries; and most Important, Impor-tant, he says, because he believes the prosperity of the west is dependent upon protective tariff; 'because ot theso things Fred J. Klesel has become be-come a Republican. His conversion to tho Republican party from tho Democratic party occurred recently he said, as a result of his general observation of conditions during the years he spent. in the United Stat 'J J. Tho chief cause of his conversion ho' said was a recent trip to Germany, when ho observed the remarkablo prosperity that he says, has resulted from a protective policy. , When asked Why ore you a Republican? Re-publican? Mr. Klesel smiled and sold That is easily answered: I'm a Republican Re-publican because I believe in protection. protec-tion. When pressed for details, -Mr. Klesel Kle-sel only said: It seems to me that answers the question satisfactorily. Details would spoil the answer. ' The Interviewer did not think so. Mr. Klesel remained firm. Finally a compromise resulted. Mr, Klesel said he wished time to think over tbe subject. - I am no student of politics. Neither am I a politician and I do not wish to break lntb tho political limelight. You can call later in tho evening, but I want it understood that I glvo this interview reluctantly. This is wbat ho said: Becomes a Democrat I camo to tho United States from Germany when I was 15 years old. That was during Buchanan's administration, admin-istration, which was Democratic, Through hearing Democratic principles princi-ples discussed and from observing conditions I bocamo a Democrat. Theso Democratic principles he-came he-came moro strongly fixed when I moved to tho south and lived there for a few yeajrs. I was there during part or cne civil war and the entire south was strongly Democratic. When I came to Utah in 1863 there was no national policy. There were the People's Peo-ple's party and the Liberal party and I became a member of the Liberals. When statehood came I voted with the Democratic party. It was during Cleveland's teraw that I first had my doubt conceratsgj the success of a free trade policy At that time I, had a warehouse to Ontario,' On-tario,' Oregon. Wool that had been kept 'two years In the hopes of better bet-ter prices could bo. bought at " 1-2 cents a pound. Ewes could be bought for 90 cents each. We had hud times but I still had faith in Democratic Demo-cratic principles and thought things would right themselves. Tho so-called Wilson tariff laws were In offoct. During tho free silver times I was strongly allied with tho Democrats and was a delegato to tho natlonnl convontlon when Bryan was nominated. nomin-ated. Then tho silver question was sottled nnd tho country settlod d wn to McKlnloy's administration. Dlngley BUI Helps Tho DIngloy tariff bill was passed ajnd conditions Improved rapidly. Wool was soon up to tho mark whuro It should bo. My faith in Democratic principles began to waver. My conversion con-version to tho Republican party occurred oc-curred after my trip to Germany ro-contly. ro-contly. When I was in Germany forty-four years ago thero wero fow fnctorlt.3. Tho Inhabitants wero fairly well rff. but thero was no wealth nor great manufacturing establishments. Hut 'about' forty -yeara -'ago, Blsmnrc&il !, , against nis own' views," but at tho to-quest to-quest of the people-consented to a high or protective tariff. What la tho result? When I visited Germany recoutly there were factories, manufacturing establishments, wealth and a general prosperity. Germany is now ono of the richest countries in Europe. My visit set me to thinking. I began be-gan to road tho speeches and arguments argu-ments of such men as Taft, Cannon and even Theodore R6osevelt. Thuy convinced me I was on tho wrong side ot the fence, Needs Protective 'Tariff This country meeds a protectlvo tariff. Barring a few luxuries, wo are able to supply all our wants from things produced here. Wo could build a wall around our borders and get along nicely. With tho exception, of England, all strong European countries coun-tries havo protectlvo tariffs and England Eng-land may soon adopt protection. At ready we havo Seen that the presoat policy of tho Democrats Is ruining, one of tho largest of the western industries, in-dustries, the beet sugar Industry. My efforts are for the west and tho Republican Re-publican party's principles mean western wes-tern greatness. Therefore X am a Republican. |
