The Washington herald., 1907-06-02

The President Yesterday issued his
proclamation putting into effect on July
tho new tariff agreement with Germany.
The agreement grants concessions under
section Of the Diugley tariff act % Ger
many. and in return the United states
is given the benefit of most OF the present
German conventional rates In state
ment issued by tie State Department
concerning jhe agreement is O. long list OF
the articles affected by the agreement.
The statement then continues:
Considering the respective concessions
from the viewpoint Of amount of duties
TO be remitted 10y either government the
advantage is decidedly in favor of the
United States.
"in order 10 secure 90 American prod
ucts the entire German conventional
tariff. as well as certain desirable reduc-
tions Of duty not covered by the present
conventional tariff, it would seem 10 be
necessary for the United States TO make
substantial tariff concessions in return 10
Germany beyond the scope Of section Of
our existing tariff law. This can DEE done
only boy means of a treaty of reciprocity
subject 70 ratification by the Senate and
Congressional approval"
some Reductions Great.
Among other important articles OF
American export for which this agree
ment secures the conventional rate that
represent reductions below the new gem
egal tariff of Germany from - 90 80 per
cent. and even more. are the following.
Timber fer buIli-gsud industrial purposes wooden
paving blocks and Fr0d t-r g7-sss leather .at .t
entirely dressed adilUs and ti-Ilsmss9i- wares,
miscellaneous goods and harness. India rubber,
tubes. wares and -.btr-c1atsd textiles. man.. kinds
q paper goods. hollow glass; plate and sheet glass;
vatTUraz--a engines. steam engines and ml=-r.l7-
uerGs Wscliue- freight cars motor cars. and motor
cycles, and carriage.
James B. Reynolds. Acting Secretary Of
the Treasury, issued "a cirgUiar-letter Of
instructions % customs officers yesterday
iu regard 90 the new tariff. These iustruc-
ti0ns are general as FAR as they affect the
administrative features Of the new ar
raugemeut. and are 20 be- applied 90 inn
/ portatous from al countries. The most
important feature Of the clrcular-letter re-
lates 20 the means OF ascertaiuins market
values upon which duties are 90 Doe as
sessed.
IL was explained ~ the Treasury De-
partment that iu cases where there is no
wholesome market in foreign countries
for articles sent 70 the United States. ap-
/ praisers Of customs Do this country viii
take the export price as the basis Of val
uati0n, instead of trying TO ascertain the
wholesale market value. This export price
is not the purchase price. German export
prices are from IT to- ~ per cent less than
[ the prices On that country.
May Have Public Hearings.
Evidence by German chambers Of COM
merce and exporters VIII be considered br
American customs agents rs competent
| evidence, but not as complete evidence
I OF values. There is a widespread impress
sion that the evidence Of the chambers Of
commerce and exporters viii be regarded
/ as conclusive by this government
Another important change made hv the
new arrangement is that importers of for
/ e.sn goods viii be given open hearings
/ before the board Of general appraisers in
New York In case of appeal except
when the government interests might be
injured by publicity In such exceptional
cases the importer VIII De furnished with
/ resumes Of the points brought ont
/ Still another important feature Of the
new arrangement IS that the confidential
/ customs agents Of the Treasury Depart
/ ment abroad Will be given the status of
/ diplomatic officers and Doe attached 10
embassies and legations This viii i'm
/ prove their official standing.