Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1907-07-31
rs NOT FAIR PLAY
NEW TARIFF DEAL WITH GER
MANY SHARPLY CRITICIZED.
II Not Only Permits the Cheating Of
the Revenues by differentiation,
but Also Enables Foreigners to
Undermine American Producers in
the American Market.

the American Market.
1t IL gratifying to find SO influential
newspaper as the Chicago Tribune
| arrayed on the side of fair play and
square play in connection with the
new German agreement Additionally
gratifying 1t is to have the view of
the American Economist regarding
the mischief and the folly of that
| agreement so thoroughly agreed with
by the Tribune. Again it is crafty
ing that the Cedar Rapids Republican
has arrived at the truth through the
Tribune. after having hesitated to ac-
cept identically the same truth as
promulgated through the Economist
several weeks in advance of the
Tribune. We are delighted to find
that the truth, through whatsoever
channel, has at last penetrated to
Cedar Rapids. The main thing is that
the truth has got there. The over zeal
which insists upon a prompt procla-
nation of the truth Is surely no less
/ pardonable than the under zeal which
hesitates in accepting a truth when
Ii is as plain as the nose on q mars
face.
The Chicago Tribune, albeit no fer
vent friend of protectionism, and far
from partial to the so-called stand
| patters," shows a clear comprehen-
sion of what is the true substance of
our new dicker with Germany. The
Tribune is not fooled by the peanut
concessions authorized in section 3. It
knows better than to suppose that
this paltry consideration is all that
Germany obtains in return for her
| generous condeScenSion in marking
down to normal rates tariff
schedule previously marked up for
that very purpose. 1t knows that
what Germany was after, and what
Germany gets under the agreement,
was such notification of our Gus
| toms laws and methods of admins
trat1on as would permit the wholesale
differentiation of German exports
consigned to German agents in the
United States. Fully aware is the
tribune that there is no virtue in the
clause requiring that the goods shall
be for export only and not such as are
sold in the home country except in
limited quantities only. In order to
defeat this restriction, says the Trib-
une:
All the German manufacturer has
TO do is to put up staple article in
an unusual form and refrain from
selling IT in that shape in the domes-
tic market. 1t Immediately becomes
an article for export only, and the
manufacturer fixes his own price.
which under the convention cannot be
attackea either by our consuls or by
customs appraisers at the port of ar
rival, no matter what may be it's ac-
tual value"
Every competing country will claim
and sooner or later be granted similar
incense to send to the United States
special brands of goods manufactured
Tor export only" In every connect.
ing country manufacturers will. as the
tribune says, fix their own export
prices on everything they export to
the United States. Well may the
Cedar Rapids Republican exclaim:
1t is almost past comprehension
how such a blunder could have oc.
Cured. If what the Tribune has set
forth be true, the United States has
virtually said to Europe: Here ia our
tarin law; make your own reductions.
In other words, fix the schedules tn
suit yourselves"
Yes; this is precisely what our
| GIFTED state department. backed I'M nv
our acquiescent treasury department.
mas said to- the manufacturers of En-.
rope. They have said more than that
and worse than that. They have said
10 the governments of the world.
FIRST mark up your tariffs on Ameri.
can exports, and we will then mark
down our own tariff as an inducement
LOT you to put your tariffs back where
they were before you marked them nm
on US. Evidently the era of Ameri.
can tariff making for Americans is
past. Hereafter foreigners are IN do.
termine what our tariff shall be. The
results, as affecting American labor
and industry. Of the universal under.
valuation Of goods for export In tho
United States need not be specuIated
| upon Industrial disaster will 90
mana In hand with national bumilia.
/ tion.-American Economist.