New-York tribune., 1907-06-07
BRITAIN MAY PROTEST
MR. ROOTS DECISION.
British Exporters Not to Hare PriiUi-
!egS Granted to Germans.
IF.om The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington, June G.-The Secretary OF State
has decided thai IT will not be possible to accept
the statements OF British chambers of COM
merce as prima facie evidence Of ,h, yalue OF
goods exported from that country 10 he United
States, as viii be done in the case of similar
organizations IN Germany under the new resu-
!a;ions announced in connection with the re-
Gently perfected tariff agreement with Germany.
There are indications that this decision will
cause still further annoyance to British ex-
porters and it is probable that it will be made
the basis of early diplomatic representations
Il IS explained that in Germany the chambers
OF commerce are quasi-ofIical organizations,
while this is not true of the British chambers.
II is understood that the French chambers also
have a semi-offiCial character
with regard to the constitutionalty Of the
new German pact, it is asserted at the State
Department that the constitutionality of similar
agreements made under the provisions Of Section
3 Of the Dingley act has already been tested and
that the Supreme Court has more than once
affirmed the validity of such conventions. It is
however, barely possible that the regulation in
srCcung appraisers 10 accept the export value
OF the foreign goods as the basis on which the
duties shall be compUfc3 may not stand the test
OF the courts. althouea it will stand until and
unless pronounced invalid by the highest judi
cial tribunal
tTary at least TO the spirit of the tariff law
that the statements of the foreign chambers of
commerce should be accepted as prima facie
evidence Of the value of imports TO this country
and that representatives of the State Depart
ment should conduct Investigations concerning
alleged undervaluations 1t is pointed out at the
State Department that such chambers as are
entitled by the recent ruling to credence are OF
a quasi-oficial character, that they represent
the interests Of all exporters and that it is
therefore, much TO their interest as to that OF
the United States that all exports should be
fully and impartially valued. 1t is further ex-
planned that heretofore Investigations into al
legged valuations have been conducted by men
who We're virtually Treasury Department detec-
tives. that this has been the cause Of annoyance
and veXaticn to exporters. who have justly COM
planned OF the employment by the United states
Of such antiquated methods, and that in this
age Of honorable business dealings the system
Is at once unnecessary and Objectionable. In I
word. the Department Of State and the Treasury
Department take altruistic view OF the sit
Uati0n- As Investigations. especially in the case
Of Germany. viii be first taken up in the form
Of inquiries addressed TO the several chambers
TeSentatIVes Of this country should enjoy the
possession Of eXequatuTS, and, therefore, the
work can best be done by representatives of
the Department OF State. Il may be found
necessary in practice however, TO employ the
services OF Treasury agents in the more COM
TlicaIed cases.
Should the manufacturers Of this country de-
rermine 10 test the validity of the new regula-
tons in the courts, IL will occasion no annoyance
70 the administration, and ii is known 10 be the
view Of the Secretary of State that IN the vast
majority Of instances where the decisions of
executive officials IN the conscientious perform
ance of their duties conflict with the views of
special interests. the wisest and most satisfac-
tor course - @ursue is to appeal 20 the proper
judicial tribunal.