New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-20
THE TARIFF BOARD
First Meeting in Washington Er-
pected WitMn Ten Days.

Washington. Sept. 1.-THE Tariff Board.
which recently appointed by the President
under the authority OF Section OF the tariff act Of
August s. 1903. win probably hold its first meeting
In Washington within the next ten days for the
purpose of outlining a working plan of operation
The members Of the board are: Professor Henry c.
Emery, OF Yale chairman: James b. Reynolds, OF
Massachusetts, and Alvin H. Sanders of Chicago
This board is charged with the duty OF securing
information 10 assist the President in determining
whether or not this country is being Disseminated
against by foreign governments in the matter Of
tariff rates. charges and exactons. On the infor-
nation received from Il will largely depend the
action OF the President I'm issuing Withholding
his procamations imposing the minimum rates OF
duty provided for In the new act The act provides
that the maximum rates shall be applied TO all
countries on and after March 81. 1870 which ''un-
duly discriminate" against the United States in the
matter OF tariffs and in this wording the authority
of the President is recognized exercise his judg
ment as 70 what constitutes undue discrimina-
ton
The House bill submitted to the Senate gave
the President no discretion whatever. declaring that
the maximum rates should be assessed against i'm
portatiols from any country which did not admit
each and every article from the United States
as favorable terms as were given to any other
country 1t Is pointed out therefore that under the
law as II now stands the President may issue
proclamation allowing the minimum rates OF our
tariff act, even I'm the case of a country which may
give TO some other nation a favorable rate
than is given the United States articles which
we do not export and in which. therefore. we have
no particular interest.
The new tariff bill. however gives the President
no authority whatever in the matter of negotiating
trade treaties. agreements conventions of any
sort with foreign countries The reciprocity agree
ments which SOW in force have been denounced
by the President The agreements with France,
Switzerland and Bulgaria will expire October 81.
1893. only about forty-hve days hence BY the
terms Of our treaty with Germany and Great Brit
I'm Tho
with those countries under Section OF the Ding
ley tariff act do not terminate until February Z.
1910. The agreements with Spain Italy, Portugal
and the Netherlands will expire August I. 1910.
STATUS OF FRANCES EXPORTS.
The best information obtainable IS that the
United States now enjoys the minimum rates on
over - per cent OF the German importatiOns from
this country. AS to the French rates II Is said
the United States IS faring much worse With the
exception Of canned meats. fresh and dried fruits
common woods. paving blocks. slaves hops manu-
factured and prepared pork meats and lard all ex-
portations from the United States into France pay
their highest rate OF duty. and unless there Is q
decided change In the French policy with respect
to the tarin on American goods that country. be-
ginning on March 81 next. viii be compelled 20 pay
our maximum rates all their expectations INTO
the United States, which. u IS said Il practically
the only country. outside OF Portugal that does
not get the benefit OF the French minimum rates
stumbling block 10 a prompt adjustment OF
states Is found IN the commercial convention which
the Dominion IS now negotiating with France
The question OF the removal OF this obstruction
however, rests with Canada alone. BY this con-
Fentlon many important concessions In the matter
OF rates are granted and received by each country
but In case OF It's ratification Canada would De
compelled 70 grant the same concessions 20 the
United states a. u grants - France or else would
DC compelled 20 pay Our maximum rates large
percentage OF American expectations into France
are OF IA" material. and in return France sends 90
ue United states manufactured goods but the re-
verse 10 this Is true 20 Canada az she sends 20
the United States material aud in return To-
celFes our manufactured goods
The Questions which VIII come before the new
Tariff Board are admittedly many. and in some IN
stances complex. and IN their solution the Presi-
dent II Is understood. will have the assistance OF
number OF our diplomatic representative abroad.
Ambassador Hiil r. expected here from Berlin IN a
snort tne and there is believe that other
nigh diplomatic officials viii be asked 10 contribute
10 ne STOCK OF Information bearing this general
subject