Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-22
DUAL TARIFF PLAN HAS BEEN
CONSIDERED BY LEADERS
IN WASHINGTON.
RECALLS SHAW'S WORDS
Secretary Of the Treasury, In Two Re-
cent Addresses, Spoke Of the Maxi
mum and Minimum Plan-Has Been
Thoroughly Considered b. Con.
gressmen.

Washington. d. c., Aug. 21-(Spe-
clal) Republican leaders in congress
were not able to learn anything new
from the reciprocity conference which
was held In Chicago last week, and it
is not probable that they will be STAN
peded by the discovery by that assem-
blage of a duel tariff system. The max
1mum and minimum plan has not been
unknown to the tariff experts in con-
gress. In fact, 1t has formed the sub
ject of more than one earnest though
informal talk among the leaders. How
ever, up to this time the idea has never
been able to make any headway in con-
gress. Viewed in some lights, it has
been found very attractive theory,
while from other viewpoints 1t has de-
veloped decided disadvantages.
At the same time, it is not beyond
the range of possibilities that the prin-
ciple may have to be invoked by con-
gress, in the event Of threatened dis
ordinations against the United States
by European governments.
Secretary shaw's Speech.
The possibilities of the harm to
American tariff by that German tariff
have not been overlooked by this gov
ernment. 1t is betraying no confidence
to state that officials and statesmen
have been watching with gerat interest
every move that Germany has made.
Evidence of that fact was given in the
speech which Secretary Shaw delivered
to tho de- gates Of the international
railway conference, held in this city in
May. Many Germans we're present,
and the German embassy undoubtedly
took note of it's utterances. In the
course of that speech Secretary Shaw
made these significant remarks:
Il hope that it will not be considered
out of place to add that the United
States is consistent with itself in that
1T criticises no nation for levying du-
ties, be they ever SO high, when levied
either for purposes Of protection or for
purposes Of revenue, provided only
they are made to rest no more severe
ly up on us than upon others The
United States only asks the right to
buy IN foreign markets on the same
terms as her commercial competitors
and the right to sell in all markets on
terms as favorable as any.
"For two or three years past certain
of our people have expressed fears lest
the United States will be involved in
tariff wars. am glad that the record
justifies the statement that the United
States has never yet levied retaliatory
tariffs. l can therefore assure'yo anC
our own people as we'll, that the world
will never be involved in tariff wars
or retaliatory legislation as long as the
United States pursues it's present pol
icy and other countries do not discrim
mate against those who do not dis
criminate against them"
] That speech was loaded" Every
word the secretary uttered had beer
carefully weighed and undoubtedly i
| voiced the sentiment Of the admins
tration. 1t will be observed that thu
promise Of exemption from retaliator,
duties was dependent upon other coun
tries not discriminating against us. 1
few days later, in speech at Cleve
land, Ohio, Secretary Shaw went evel
a little stronger on the retaliation
question and said:
Four Policies Outlined.
III, however, any considerable nun
Der of countries should unite wit
those which now discriminate agains
us, there will remain for the peopl
of the United States four possible po
icies. Without expressing an opinio
as to their respective merits, Wi
state them as concisely as possible
The responsibility of determinatio
rests alone with congress.
"First.-The United States coul
continue her present policy of reser,
ing to her own people some advantage
In her own ma. .ets and making n
determinations against others.
"Second.-We could yield to the de
mand of those countries whic
threaten to give their people materia
advantages over those which make n
such determinations. 1t must b
borne in mind, however, that this prof.
!, osition involves DETERMINATIONS agains
other countries, for, be it remembered
f special favors cannot be granted t
some as against others without impo
ing corresponding burdens upon other