Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-14
LOOK TO CONGRESS
Hope of Relief From the New
German Tariff.
EXPORTERS ARE ALARMED
Have Appealed to the State Depart
ment.
THE EXECUTIVE POWERLEsS
Revival of Sentiment in Favor Of q
Maximum and Minimum Tariff
Mr.. McCleary's Bill.
THE EXECUTIVE PoWERLEss

Baron Sternburg, the German ambassa-
dor, called on Secretary Root at the De-
partment of State yesterday and, after a
short conference, the Secretary escorted his
visitor to the White House to talk with the
President
1t may now be stated that the admins
tration feels that it has exhausted every ef
fort Iegtimately within its power to avert
the application on March 1 next of the
new German tariff to American goods, and
that if any relief is to be had 1t must come
from Congress.
Even the effort to postpone the date of
application of the German act through an
arrangement in the nature of modus VI
vendi, ameliorating the irksome customs
regulations complained of by Germany. has
failed. Secretary Shaw is STILL with his ex-
perts, considering some plan of relief In
that matter, but 1t is admitted that what
he can do by administrative order is not of
sufficient importance from the German
point of view to warrant the hope that the
date of the operation of the German tariff
act can be postponed.
Exporters Alarmed.
Already some of the large United States
producers and exporting interests. in alarm.
have addressed themselves to the State De-
partment in an appeal to be protected
against what they fear is the certain de-
struction of their vast business. These peo-
pie have been told, was ex-senator Har-
rs of Kansas the other day, that the ex-
ecutive could do nothing more; that it was
up to Congress-
Secretary Root had for time contem-
plated the submission to Congress of Ger
man reciprocity treaty. He has abandoned
that project because he has now definitely
satisfied himself that there is not the least
ground for hope that such treaty would
be accepted. The alternative is maximum
and minimum tariff act, but it will take
long time, probably, to frame such meas
ure and finally enact it, and 1t is almost
certain that the German tariff act will go
into effect March 1, and that the shoe Will
pinch severely before Congress can act.
Conference of Leaders.
The revival Of sentiment in favor Of the
enactment Of a maxirnum and minimum
tariff, to meet any determinations prac-
ticed by foreign governments against the
products of the United States, resulted in
a conference between Senate and House
leaders yesterday to determine where
such legislation should originate. This be-
comes an important question at this time
for the reason that advocates of such
measure are desirous of having it consid-
cred first in the body most likely to ac-
cept it. Several members of the House be-
lieve the Senate would be the more likely to
pass such a measure, and that favorable
action by that body would have salutary
effect upon opposition in the House.
A tariff bill of this character ordinarily
would be construed as a measure affecting
revenues, and therefore entitled to originate
in the House. 1t has been argued, never
theless. that there Is a precedent for its
introduction in the Senate.
The precedent brought forward is the
meat inspection act Of 1890, which author
lied the President to suspend Importation
of products of other countries making dis
ordinations against those of the United
States The purpose or ss mat act IS almost
proposed, although the purpose is attained
by different means.
Mr. McCleary's Bill.
The maximum and minimum tariff BILL as
introduced by Representative McCleary Of
Minnesota provides that the minimum tar
iff shall be the present schedules as fixed
by the Mckinley act, and that the max
imum shall be % per cent in addition to
these rates. The maximum, it Is believed,
would prohibit any foreign country from
competing with countries receiving the min
imum rates, and differs from the act of
1890 only in this, that one provides for ex-
clusion absolutely and the other through
enforcement of prohibtive schedules against
discriminating foreign states.
Whatever strength there is in Congress
demanding revision of the tariff will nat
urally be opposed to measure making it
possible to increase existing schedules, even
though the increase Is for the purpose of
retaliating against countries discriminating
against the United States. 1t is believed
generally that the stand pat forces are
more securely intrenched in the Senate
than in the House, and that the prospect
of passing the bill is better in the higher
body.
1t is not intended TO make the legislation
retaliatory, especially against Germany
but it is asserted that the need for such
a measure is pressing as regards our trade
relations with that country. AS the present
trade agreement expires March ] advocates
of the bill expect to use the proximity Of
that date to promote their plans for early
consideration.