The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-20
THE NEW TARIFF BILL.
What the Newspapers Think OF Mr.
Payne's Measure.

what the Newspapers Think OF Mr..
Payne's Measure.
Prom the Springfield Republican.
Comparatively few and generally small
as are the reductions proposed, they are
TO be interpreted in the light OF a change
in the method Of valuation for assessment
OF ad valorem duties where such duties
are imposed. Imports which come in on
consignment, by this bin, are 20 be valued
not on the basis Of foreign market prices.
but on the basis OF our own market prices
for similar articles-less the rate OF duty
and costs Of transportation, insurance.
commissions. &c. Il viii take the experts
70 figure out whether and by how much
this provision VIII operate 10 advance
valuations and so advance ad valorem
rates Of duty 10 be assessed. We may be
sure II VIII not operate 20 reduce valua-
tons. and q safe conclusion is that Il
would never have been adopted II the gen
eral result were not 10 be a rise in the
basis OF valuations. II Is quite possible
that in this provision may be concealed q
power overcoming many or most Of the
reductions made on the face Of the sched-
ules-
From the New York Journal Of Commerce
The Payne bill is very far from being
an ideal measure So far as tariff rates
are concerned. IL does little that it
ought not TO have done in adding 10 du-
ties, but II omits much OF what IL should
have done for their reduction Neverthe-
less. II more than fulhns any expecta-
ton that had been formed and is enti-
tied TO commentator. It's conspicuous
merits are 70 be found IN a few features,
particularly those making free OF duty
iron, hides. and crude timber, and nber-
ally reducing duties upon the products
derived from them. There ere other
adjustments that viii afford some relief
70 industry and have a favorable effect
upon trade, but they are not many.
Prom the New York EFening Post
I There viii be shrieks from some pro
tected interests. and efforts will doubt
less be made to make the bill more highly
II protective. on the way through the House.
and especially through the Senate. Yet
so good a beginning is promising, and
must have an effect IN repulsing those
who would make the bin worse As u
stands. We have q measure which viii
bear comparison with the Wilson bin. and
emb0dies a degree Of tariff reform greater
than We should have had any chance or
getting had Bryan been elected President.
From the Baltimore sun
The Payne tariff IS certainly not a radi-
cal measure. The tariff the Senate viii
permit 10 become a law IL likely 10 De
still farther from a radical measure. But
the bin as il stands comedies something
substantial 10 the demand for tariff reduc-
ton, and Il viii be worth while . try 20
/ save this concession from destruction On
the question Of the desirability OF all pos
sible expedition IN disposing OF TIE bin
there Is a universal agreement. and il e
20 be hoped that unnecessary delay viii
not be encouraged IN any quarter
From the New York sun.
Whatever happens 70 the customs du-
ties and the free list. subject 10 IN
known shiftings or abandonments. one
evil device for revenue in this bin should
be struck out, and viii be struck out II
Congress has any feeling OF state pride
II not OF State rights. The tax on IN
hericance. direct and collateral, should
be reserved % the States.
Prom TIE Neu York Heald.
To the man in the street some Of the
provisions are inconsistent Why I'M
pose a heavy duty on tea while leaving
coffee free? Why Increase the tax on
cigarettes while leaving that on beer and
whisky unchanged?
From the New YORK Tribune.
The bill, as a whole. shows evidence o,
4 careful and intelligent preparation. II
may be expected 20 serve as a basis Tor
a thoroughly satisfactory tariff revision.