The Washington herald., 1909-08-07

The work Of investigating trade re-
lations between the United States and
foreign governments to determine wheth-
er or not they are TO enjoy the minimum
tariff as authorized In the new law. Will
be begun as soon as possible.
President Taft has entrusted this i'm
portant work TO the Treasury Depart
ment. He will probably announce within
the next few days the appointment of
board of three experts who win have
charge OF the preliminary details. An
appropriation Of $4,000 was made in the
urgent deficiency act which Congress en-
acted several days ago 10 defray the ex-
penses OF these Investigations.
headquarters I'm Washington.
Mr.. Taft Is anxious 10 have the work
started as soon as possible because Of
the fact that the maximum tariff will
go into effect on March 81 next All
these Investigations will have 10 be COM
pleted before that date IN order to en-
able the President % determine whether
or not any foreign government discrim-
mates against American products. Mr..
Taft desires these Investigations TO be
as thorough and comprehensive as pos
sible and has instructed the officials or
the Treasury Department 10 lose no time
In beginning the work I'm order that no
foreign government against which the
maximum tariff IS imposed might COM
plain that the investigation by the Treas
ury experts was hasty or superficial.
The board expects 20 have it's head
quarters at the Treasury Department in
this city. and will have general charge Of
all the foreign Investigations II is quite
probable that additional experts will be
appointed later when the programme has
been thoroughly worked out
The compensation or the number Of ex-
perts 10 be employed was not determined
In the tariff act, but was left 10 the dis
cretion Of the President. None Of the
three experts have yet been definitely Sc
lected. James f. Watson. Of Indiana. a
former member OF Congress, ard a close
friend Of President Taft. has been men
toned for one Of these Offices
increases Internal Revenue Work.
The Commissioner OF Internal Revenue
has prepared a new regulation 20 carry
out the provisions OF the tariff law. re-
moving the internal revenue tax upon
leaf tobacco under certain conditions
This regulation viii be signed by Sec
retary MacVeagh and distributed next
week.
The collection Of the corporation tax,
which was intrusted by the tariff law 10
the Commissioner Of Internal Revenue
will considerably increase the work Of
that bureau.
! The commissioner will soon begin the
preparation OF the Official blank for dis
tribution among the corporations Of the
country which are subject 20 the tax
These corporations will make their re-
turns. giving the statistics Of their bust
ness required by the new law. In ac-
cordance with its provision. these re-
turns must be IN the hand OF the Com
missioner OF Internal Revenue by March
] next. and the amount Of the tax as
sessed by the commissioner must be paid
before June 30. 1910. There is no special
haste necessary in the preparation and
distribution Of these blanks. and they
VIII not be sent out for several months.
Customs Court Up Next Winter.
On account Of the disput over the COM
pensauon Of the judges Of the customs
court Of appeals. created In the tariff
law, President Taft has decided to allow
the appointment Of the judges and the
organization Of the court TO go over
until next winter. so as 70 allow Con-
gress TO take up the matter and thor
oughly consider the various disputed
questions over the establishment Of the
new court
The new tariff law went into opers-
ton smoothly largely because Of the
complete preparations made in advance
BY Assistant SeCrptarv of the Treasury
Reynolds, who had charge Of customs
affairs.
Several weeks ago he sent instructions
20 all collectors. in which they were di-
rected to assess estimated duties on i'm
ported merchandise at the rates provided
in the Dingley act, but 20 suspend liQui-
dation of the entries until the receipt OF
official copies Of the new tariff law, which
were sent out today Upon receipt OF
these copies. the circular OF instructions
continued. entries should be liQuidated
at the rates provided IN the new law.
Departments Instructions.
when the act becomes operative" the
circular added. "the department will is
sue Instructions continuing regulations
wherever applicable. and will prescribe
such further regulations as may be re-
quired In case OF doubt as TO the
proper construction to be given to any
OF the provisions Of the new tariff act,
or as 10 the proceedings 70 be followed
hereunder, collectors should request the
instructions Of this department in order
that uniformity of action may be Sc
cured in the administration Of that act
az the various ports"