Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-31
SHAW ON THE TARIFF.
Secretary of Treasury Urges
Taking Down of Tariff Wall.
REACH FOREIGN MARKETS
Revision That Will Give Americans
Chance in World Competition.
WANTS A MERCHANT MARINE
Export Zone Products He Would
Have Pay Regular Import Duty
If Not Exported. :.
REACH FOREIGN MARKETS
WANTS A MERCHANT MARINE

CONCORD, N. H.. January 31-Secretary
of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, made
notable address last night before the New
Hampshire Board of Trade. In addition to.
making a plea for a merchant marine, he
advocated plan whereby manufacturers
might, under certain conditions import raw
material for their factories without the
payment of duty. Secretary Shaw suggested
that it would be well to do away with the
bonded factory and to substitute for it
bonded zone of large area, within which a
large number of factories would be built.
Into this zone, in which articles for ex-
port only would be manufactured, he would
allow coal and every other element of
manufacture, except labor, to be entered
free. Should, however, the product of this
zones factories be removed for the pur-
pose Of domestic consumption. Secretary
Shaw said that 1t should pay the same
duty as II imported from abroad. He said
that there should be such a zone on the
and another at the gulf. Mr.. Shaw said in
part:
"Our laws are friendly to the exporter.
but L think they can and should be made
merchandise may be produced in bond. of
imported material and exported without
the payment Of any duty whatever. The
purpose Of these statutes is manifest. They
abing the American manufacturer to sell
cheaper abroad than at home and to give
employment to American labor, for by so
doing we contribute to our home market.
$50 long as the American manufacturer
buys labor in the American market, pays
the American scale of wages. and thus
enables the American wage Garner to be
consumer Of American food and clothes,
fuel and shelter, let there be accorded to
him every possible encouragement In his
unequal competition with the cheaper labor
of other countries.
"Bond a Section"
without attempting a lengthy elabora-
ton of the idea 1 content myself with
throwing out the suggestion. Suppose in
stead of a bonded factory we bond well
defined section of land containing, If you
please, several thousand acres. Within
could be built and into this zone all kinds
of raw material could be entered without
the payment of duty.
This port should Of course contain no
dwellings. I would allow free coal and
every other element of manufacture, ex-
cept labor, to be entered free. In other
words, this free port should be a great
consumer Of American labor. the product
Of which, under the most encouraging con-
ditions. should be for export and for ex-
port only. If it was removed from the port
for the purpose Of domestic consumption
1t should pay the same duty as If imported
II do not see wherein the American
people could be harmed by such a policy,
and 1t would result in furnishing employ
ment to those who choose to live beneath
our flag, consume our products and work
at the American scale of wages.
"An New England would be benefited
by such port somewhere on the north
Atlantic coast similar port should be
established in the vicinity Of Norfolk and
another on the gulf. It will take time to
develop the thought, but it Is in absolute
harmony with the present bonded ware
house, bonded factory and drawback pol
Icy. and we have the example in the free
ports of Germany.
Must Have Merchant Marine.
"In addition to this. we must have
merchant marine. The method by which
this handmade to the American exporter
shall be secured 1 do not care to discuss
The ultimate fact. however is of prime i'm
portance. If we ever get our share of the
import trade Of South America, South
Africa, and the adjacent islands, and our
share of the import trade Of the orient we
must have ships making regular trips from
our principal ports, flying our flag and
begging our manufacturers to produce the
articles desired by the countries to which
they sail. Our present export trade is very
large, but it consists largely of agricultural
products.
"Of our billion and three-quarters in ex-
ports two-thirds can be piled on the
wharves with no danger Of loss, for it will
be carried away by countries that must
have 1t and who willingly come for 1t in
their own ships. But foreign countries will
never come in their own ships for our
manufactured products.
1T will take international merchants,
supported by an International merchant
marine. to dispose of our surplus factory
products. OF our entire exports more than
twO-thirds go to Europe, and nearly one
half al per cen) enter ports protected by
a single flag. We must increase the num-
Der of our foreign purchases. or some day
our source of foreign consumption will be
suddenly shut of, to our very great dis