The Washington herald., 1909-05-26

tariff OF the United States higher in
every schedule and on every dutiable
article than IN any tariff law IN the
eountry's history. Il would postpone and
transfer the contest for the retention Of
prizes in the lottery OF taxation from the
halls cf Congress 10 the Executive de-
psrtment Tie benefciaries of the pro-
posed act would fight to the death the
remission Of the additional . Der cent
ad valorem duty in their effort 20 retain
in full their darling franchises in the
taxing power Of the government. There
the issue would lie between the .conces-
sions granted by the minimum tariff OF
the United States, and the reciprocal
equivalents granted by foreign govern
me1ts. The interested and organized
avarice Of the country would be enlisted
on the side Of maximum rates. The scaf-
tered millions Of American consumers
would be voiceless IN q tribunal commit
ted 20 the doctrine O. wealth BY statute
and prosperity by taxation
Maximum Rates Real Tariff.
Mr. Shively quoted amendments 10 the
tariff bill proposed by the Senate Finance
Committee, showing that the provisions
Of the dutiabie list and the free list of
section 1 viii constitute the minimum
tariff OF the country But the real tariff
OF the country. he pointed out, VIII be
found in section 2 Of the tariff bill, which
provides the maximum rates 10 be levied
against articles OF import from, countries
that discriminate against the United
States.
From these amendments" &r. Shfve-
" declared, ct is too plain for con-
troversy, that the duties prescribed in
section 1, plus . per cent ad vaIorem
and . cents per pound on coffee and 10
Gets per pound on tea. are from and
after the 5lst day OF March, 1870 10 con-
stttute the general tariff OF the United
States. These combined rates are the
rates that from and after the date named
are 70 be operative. assessable. and en-
forceable at every custou-house IN the
United States They are expressly de-
ciared 70 be the general tariff Of the
United States Every pres umption would
De N favor OF these rates as the duty
10 be levied and collected. and none
other"
On the other hand. Mr.. Shively con
tinued. should the courts hold that this
pToYisO IS valid the maximum rates OF
duty VIII not go into effect until the
President Is satisfied that foreign coun-
tries are not discriminating against the
United States and until he has issued
2 proclamation allowing these foreign
countries to enjoy the minimum tariff.
Gigantic TasI-
The work OF making this investigation, /
he added. is a gigantic task. The Presi-
dent must make an investigation into
every phase OF the foreign commerce OF
he United States and satisfy himself that
the products OF the United States are
not being undUly Disseminated against.
before the law viii allow him 70 issue
the proclamation imposing a minimum /
-ari1 rate II the President finds that
a foreign government treats all nations
alike. Mr. Shively continued. the mini /
mum rates OF. duty could not be placed
in effect
II any foreign government should de-
cline 70 grant preferential OF special rates
10 the United States or the ground that
such policy would tend 10 precipitate It /
into tariff wars with other countries. /
be said, there would be a deadlock. and
10 the absence OF reciprocal concessions /
Tie maximum tariff would apply.
During the discussion OF the last sev-
sTal weeks, he asserted. members Of the I
Senate had proceeded on the theory that !
the rates OF duty IN section ! which has +
been under consideration are the rates ID /
be levied under the proposed law. This. (
however. Mr. Shively contends. Is q faI- ]
acy.
The tariff of the United States. as de-
lned IN the maximum tariff" he con
inUed, would raise the duty prescribed +
n minimum tariff on lumber 10 over. &
per thousand Il would make the duty on
5teel rails and all ether dutiabIe products
4 iron and steel much higher than in
he present law.