The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-03-21
PAYNE BILL MAY RESULT IN
INTERNATIONAL TARIFF WAR
Section Which Continues Operation the Cuban Reciprocity Treaty Inspiration
for One the Arguments against the asureForegn Nations May
Refuse to Enter Into Low Tariff Agreement With This
Country, Bill Is Enacted

Washington, March 2o.-That the
Payne tariff bill would bring about q
great international tariff war II en-
acted, because of the section which
continues in operation the Cuban re
clprocity treaty. Is one OF the argu.
ments that Is being made against the
measure.
II Is urged that foreign countries
which would otherwise agree to gave
the United States the benefit or their
most favored nation clause IN return
for the minimum scale OF duties pro-
yi6ed for IN the Payne bin, Will con
tend that the Cuban reciprocity pro-
vision is the most favored nation
clause OF the American tarllT. and viii
therefore refuse TO enter into low
tariff agreement with this country
This difficulty, regarding the Cuban
reciprocity treaty and its relation 10
the maximum and minimum tariff
provisions OF the Payne bill, was not
overlooked by the trainers OF that
measure. The subcommittee, which
drafted the BILL considered the posi-
tillty OF the claim being made that
thu clause. continuing the treaty with
Cuba. dlscrimipateS against other na.
tlons
After discussing the matter, 1t was
agreed 10 allow the provisions to re-
main i'm the bin upon the assumption
that other countries would recognize
the unusual relations existing between
the United States and Cuba. and
would not object TO the lower duties
which the island republic would get
Furthermore, in support OF this
argument. II is contended that Cuba
ships to this country articles which
do not compete with the imports ci
countries of Europe.
There are other difficulties in the
way Of operating successfully maxi.
rum and minimum tariff. Most Ecu.
Iopcan nations have special trade re-
lhiionS on certain products with thor
DeiGhOoring countries. and 1t would
be inconsistent for the United States
10 expect these nations TO abrogate
these agreements In order TO get the
benefit of our minimum duties.
On the other hand. the trainers o;
tho Payne bin have designed the
maximum tariff provisions In such
way that practically every country IN
Europe will be compelled to seek our
rIinimum duties In time.
France Is one of the countries thaL
viii be most affected by the maximum
schedule Of the Payne tand. The
duties imposed by the present law On
vines, liquors and spirits arc IN.
CT1aGpH forty In
mum provision OF the new bill ami
tins advance would seriously aEect
the importations from Franco OF
wines, principally on the low grades.
Italy and Spain would also feel the
effects of these duties.
Germany now gives the United
States nearly all the minimum duties
of her tariff under the provisions OF
the German trade agreement. but un-
less she should offer to abrogate the
agreement and give this country all
o. her favorable duties, the maximum
rates Of the Payne tarifI would apply.
'rbe German agreement provides that
elk months notice of It's discontinue
a1ce must be given by either country,
but it can be abrogated by mutual
The Payne bill places a maximum |
duty e 20 per cent additional on tho |
articles. Chemicals, tobac-
CO. agricultural products SILK and |
paper schedules, with the exception
OF coal tar dyes. and extracts Tor
dyelng in the chemical schedule. tor |
which there is no maximum rate OF |
duty The rates OF the DlpGloy law |
are retained as maximum dutiesi on |
PIX iron, structural steel. steel bill |
lors, iron and steel plates. steel wires |
and numerous other iron and steel |
products. Tho maximum duties tor
,he pottery schedule are IS per cent |
more than the minimum and FOR the |
schedule the increase is IN |
Of % per cent ad yalorem.
Flax aud wool schedules have no
maximum duties prescribed.
The principal articles on the tree |
list for which a 20 per cent ad val |
oTem is provided in the maximum |
schedule, are coffee, crude natura. |
drugs for dyeing and tan
ming hides. iron ore, oils. including |
petroleum, tallow and tobacco stems. !
Representatives OF western states |
are claiming that the new drawback |
provision In the Payne tariff bill is dis |
against the west, in favor
o. the east a raw material OF do |
mestic production. In equal quantity |
ana OF d similar character. may be |
used instead oil the imported material. !
" eSLeu manufacturers or congress |
are contendinG that this tends to give |
the manufacturers at the seaDoard |
decided advantage over the manufac- |
trrcr in the intoriOr, on account ot
the freight rates.
The WAYS and means committee |
Chains. however that tho new draw
back Is FOR the benefit of the honest l