The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-26
MAXIMUM TARIFF
HARD TO EMF ORCE
VexatiouS Problem Must Be
Tried by Admins
tration.
BRINGING INFLUENCE
UPON PRESIDENT
Protectionists Demand High Rates
Obtain Against Discriminating
Countries.
By JOHN sNURE.

By JOHN SNURE.
| That President Taft viii find the
maximum tariff question one Of tbs
most vexatious problems OF his Admin
istration is getting palmer every day
TO those who are following taris de-
velopments.
No end Of worriment win be raused
the White House between now and
March 81 over the question Of whether
TO enforce the maximum rates and what
country or countries to enforce them
against
Already, an uprosr is heard from the
direction Of the high protectionists over
the limitations that the President is
going to give the maximum tariff pro-
visions Of the new law a liberal and
elastic construction. They are insisting
the law is plain, that 1t is susceptible
Of no two constructions. that it means
just what it says. and that If any coun-
try unduly discriminates against the
United States the maximum rates viii
apply.
Should President Taft attempt 10 con
strue the law literally and refuse 10
enforce the maximum rates against any
country against which a reasonable case
Of discrimination can be made out, he
win encounter a sharp FIRE OF criticism
from the high protectionists IN Congress
and out OF It This is made clear BY
the latest issue Of the American Econo-
mist, the official organ OF the Ameri-
can Protective Tarin League
It takes Senator Aldrieh to task for
his recent speech al a dinner IN Paris,
in which he held out TO the French the
idea they need not fear the maximum
rates Of duty and that a liberal con-
struction would be given the law by the
President. The Economist says It is a
question if Senator AIdrich did noe bite
of more than he can chew" and II re
minds him that no apology for the
rlaximum tariff law is needed.
Would Incur Penalty
Further than this the Economist
takes the ground that neither Mr.. Al
drich nor anyone else can get arounds
the plain facts In the case. namely. If
the French persist in tariff discrimina-
ton against a single American export
they will inevitably incur the penalty Of
the American maximum tariff. II Is
further pointed out by the organ of
the American Protective Tarin League
that Germany is relying on President
Taft to avert a tariff war. It says that
talk of this kind is freely INDUCED In
by German newspapers. and that it is
probably for effect on the President.
The position Of the Economist in this
matter is that Germany now discrini-
mates in a number Of cases against the
United States as regards duties, and
further discriminates in so-caIled sani-
tary measures against American meats;
that the President cannot overlook these
facts and cannot fail to do his duty
under the law, that is, cannot fan 10
enforce the maximum rates unless Ger
many makes concessions.
AS interpreted here this means that
the high protectonists, perceiying an
effort is on foot to induce President
Taft to give the maximum provisions OF
/ the law an elastic construction have set
| out to make 1t extremely difficult, IL not
/ impossible, for him, TO do otherwise than
| cOnstrue the law IN the stricteSt fashion
/ 1t is easy 10 see that President Taft is
going TO be placed between two fires
and that he viii be criticised whatever
course he takes.
! Should France and Germany. as well
/ as Canada, cease to impose discrim-
/ nations against the United States, then
( the way would be made easy for Pres
/ ident Taft But there is little sign OF
/ this. Ambassador Jusserand OF France
Is quoted as saying IN effect, that
/ France is not looking for trouble, but
IS prepared to fight if necessary.
Are Not Worried.
The French situation Is not looked
oE by Treasury experts as being so
serious as the German situation and
the Canadian situation. It is thought
that France viii hesitate to fight this
country. With the pure food law club
hanging over its head, with which
wines and champagnes can be shut out.
/ But the Germans are more likely TO
prove stubborn. Thus far, they are In
/ sfstiny they cannot do away with the
restrictions on American meats. 1t IS
/ the view of the tariff board that these
] restrictions should be treated as dis
I examinations and at this distance Il
] looks as If Germany would not back
! water with respect 70 them
/ Should President TAFT allow these
determinations 10 exist and sJlu not
/ enforce the maximum Western stock
men and cattlemen WI raise a great
row about il and so VIII high proteS-
! tionists generally. And the Canadian
I situation IS in some respects more
Troublesome one than either the French
or the German.
Not a few students OF the situation
believe this country utterly unable 20
wage a successful tariff war with Can
ada and that the statesmen or that
country fully realize IL and VIII not De
/ everse TO trying the issue