New-York tribune., 1909-03-22
FRENCH TARIFF REVISION
Proposed Bill WOuld Injuri0usly
Affect american Trade.

washington March 1.-THE attention Of Ameri-
can manufacturers viii not for the next few
months be entirely focused on the proposed tariff
revision in this country. France proposes 10 revise
its tarin. and in the changes to be made the
United states is vi,ally Interested II the proposed
French tariff bill should enacted into law in its
present shape. American trade would be injuriousIy
affected The probabilities are. however. that the
bill will undergo number OF changes before II
finally IS enacted into Law. which II Is expected
viii be about ths first part or next year
some interesting facts I'm regard to tho neW
measure are cleared from a compilation entitled
Proposed New Customs Tariff OF France pr>-
pared by Y J. Stone. tariff exper. Of the Depart
meut or Commerce and Labor the object of which
10 indicate the proposed changes OF tariff rates
on goods which United States either exports TO
France or could export under favorable conditions
Taking up the articles covered bv the existing
Franco-American agreement. it is found that the
following affected by the proposed changes.
Canned Meats-It is proposed to advance the gen
era rate OF % francs per 70 kos 50 francs in
crease OF - per cent while leaving the minimum
rate OF Is francs unchanged. While the agreement
remains IN force the proposed change would there
fore not affect American canned meats.
Fresh Apples and Pcars-U nder the exist
ing agreement these fruits admitted the rate
OF 2 francs per 100 kos. II IS proposed 10 ad-
vance the minimum rate 10 francs. an increase
OF 100 per cent. and to increase the general rate
from . to francs. Should the increase OF these
and the other minimum rates covered by the eN-
isting agreement lead to its abrogatton. 1t would
result in an increase from the present minimum
rate of francs the general rate Of francs.
which would raise the duty fourfold II is pro
posed to increase the minimum rate on hops from
20 10 francs the general from i5 to SO francs
per 100 kios
FOR RECIPROCITY TREATIES
Far more numerous are the tariff changes
articles which not affected by the commercial
agreement at present in force between France and
this country. In proposing the many changes the
French commission guided by the object OF
making the difference between the general and the
minimum about 90 per cent the average,
being considerably higher than the difference in the
present tariff, the purpose being TO make It worth
while for foreign countries to negotiate reciprocity
treaties for the applics ton Of the minimum rates
As all the important commercial countries eN-
the United States enjoy the benefit Of the en-
tire minimum tariff in France, the changes already
mentioned would affect injuriously imports from
the United States only, and would still further az
gravate the disadvantages under which American
products must compete with products from other
countries in the French market Among the more
important Of these changes the following may be
mentioned: Meat extracts general rate increased
from 20 TO % francs; cottonseed now admitted
free. to be subject TO duty OF 80 francs. pea
nuts admitted free to he subject to a duty
Of $50 francs, and preserved vegetables. duty in
creased from 20 TO "a francs
Even moro disadvantageous American trade
are the proposed changes which, while increaEin
the general rates to which American goods sub
ject, contemplate reduction of the minimum rates
which are applicable to imports from favored
tries. AS instances Of such changes, the following
may be mentioned Heavy agricultural machinery
weighing 400 kilos for which II is proposed
to increase the general rate from Is to Is francs
a 100 kilOs. while reducing the minimum from to
8 detached parts OF copper and brass. Weighing
/ to 10 kilos apiece for which It proposed
raise the present general rate of so francs $3.50
while reducing the minimum of 40 10 35
TO REDUCE GENERAL RATES.
It is proposed. however, in a large number Of
to reduce the general rates. while leaving the
minimum unchanged. The effect of this would be
to lessen to extent the disadvantages under
which American manufacturers have to compete at
present with other foreign goods in France. Among
the more important changes of this kind may be
mentioned electric apparatus of various kinds and
refr1gerators. etc, the reductions ranging from 20
to 40 per cent. according weight Among the
changes affecting both the general and the mini
mum rates, the following the most important:
Hams present general so francs, proposed, 60:
minimum so. proposed 40 cottonseed oil, linseed
oil and peanut oil. present general rate b francs,
proposed 35 minimum g. proposed Il: pig iron.
proposed increase in general rates of 90 per cent
ara over; increase in minimum rates of SS per cent
and over; iron and steel ngots. blooms, bars and
bilIets increases under the general tarin ranging
from - per cent 600 per cent, and in the mini
mum tariff up to 500 per cent and over.
Similar increases are proposed for sheet and hoop
iron and steel. locomotives. sewing machines. ma
chine tools iron and steel cables. etc, increases
-anring from Is per cent aoO per cent under the
General and as high 150 per cent under the