New-York tribune., 1908-12-29
TARIFF TRAINERS BUSY
GET G4RF'S CORRECTIONS.
Considering Problem Of MdrTmum
and Minimum Duties.
rR-n-r ~. --thrrne Rureau- :

Washington. Dec 2s--Two executive sessions
cf the majority members Of the Ways ano
Means Committee today were devoted entirely
% consideration Of Schedule A. which en-
braces paints. oils ana chemicals. Chairman
Pzx,e has several times declared that few
schedules in the Dingley hill will require such
close attention as this one, and II is the inten-
zion Of the committee 70 have the new schedule
practically drafted before the holiday recess is
over As far as can be learned there seems TO
be little inclination on the part of the committee
70 raise the duties which already exist. but It
IS quite certain that'a number Of articles which
are now On the free list viii be transferred to
1he dutisble schedule
TIE latest available statistics show that about
So 100000 worth Of chemicals is now i'm
ro-ted. both free ard dutiable- This represents
81 increase Of about S20.ooo.oo0 IN the last i've
z-sz-s since the passage Of the Dingley law
.he volume Of iutiable chemicals has more than
5or1hied notwit hstsnding the fact that the aver
sxe sd vzIorem duty is ~ per cent Whlle II
vas only IS per cent under the Witson-tTorrnah
bill The industry Itself shows an increase OF
about $50 100000 fn capital invested and an m
crease in the annual product OF so so"V'Vo't
The exports have increased about SloVVo'V''
These figures are before the committee, and II
,e @eit that while the industry can no longer ne
called Al infant st is one which is not protected
- .-,-ol7fh.-iva duties and from which few ex-
---,-a-t rrofts are made For this reason there
-f-1 rs few reductions, and most Of the changes
VII he IN taxing specific articles from the IF9o
,.z- for the purpose Of raising revenues
a-7or- the articles which the committee con-
s55e-ed to-day were certain chemicals n1aoe
e-or, coal tar as raw material and used p1ln-
-4-aIly IN the color and dye industry. during
-he bearings II suggested that duty OF z
.-+ gallon be placed OF coal Tar. Of = cent 9
1-S--r -7r-7T7r- s 70
-errs gallon on intermediate coal tar products
s-,cb IS solvent uaphtha- benzol and cresoL The
oo-,r7i-tee was told that by protection On crude
cosI Tar pro6uctz and intermediate products for
5xestuffs an industry not row IN existence WouIo
Ne established n this country IN the shape OF e
coal tar color Industry II was also argued that
s-,ch duties would conserve the mineral re-
sources Of the country. particularly coal through
the building OF an increased number OF coke
ovens This question was discussed to-day oy
The committee. but no decision was reached. and
q was decided to take the matter up again to
r1or-ow-
Crude csrnphor which is on the free list. was
s1zo considered Last year 5.13s,0 900 pounds were
imported and 1-Cent tax was suggested It was
urged that this would not Increase the cost TO
TIE consumer 10 any sPpreciable extent but
would bring considerable revenue TO the Treas
w Il was also pointed out that some benefit
would be conferred the infant canlphor in
dus1-y which has recently been established IN
Fsori6a-
JUDGE GART-S SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEF
Judge z H Gary submitted his supplemental
brief 70 the committee to-day Il is corrective
II some figures given when he was on the wit
-sEs stand, and is al argument for continuance
~ the steel duties.
The tariff trainers are giving much considera-
Grrrz- T1rfDr1-
len in connection with the new tariff Although
-he United States was the first 10 apply this
method Of obtaining favorable trade relations
With other countries, il has never applied the
Principle 70 more than . few articles While
several foreign countries have adopted the sys-
ten 70 cover everything Z maximum and
minimum tariff bill becomes a law II viii be
POSSIBLE fo- the President 10 extend the beneht
- rhA minimum 20 those countries which give
q this country the benefit Of their dtnerentlal
rates Of duty Great Britain would get the
-@ne4- Of DIR minimum rates because It evies
10 duties Oh irnportations- Germany and
F-a1Ce each OF which have q maximum and
minimum tariff law. would probably offer to
grant 70 this country their low schedules Of
duties II the same privilege were ex+ nded Il
-heir exporters.
The United States has trade treaties with
france, Germany. Italy. Portugal. Spain and
szitze ID granting Z reduction IN the duties
on certain articles only, and while II Is very
probable that these reciprocity treaties VIII be
provided for IN the tariff bill nov being pre-
pa-sd II is quite likely that these countries VII
erdesvor 70 get the benefit Of all minimum rates
from the United States in exchange for similar
concessions. Nothing definite has been decided
hv The Was and Means Committee as 70 thf
basis for The maximum and minimum rates
,- - 5e sid that the dffTerential Kill he about
~ Te- cent