The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-07
GERMANY SMILES
At TARIFF SCALE
Initial Alarm VaniSheS After
Examination of the Aid
rich Bill.
BY ]. c. WELLIVER.

For a curious and interesting reason
the German government and commercial
interests are not disposed to take very
seriously the threat of having the
maximum rates of the Aldrich maxi
mum and minimum plan invoked against
Germany.
There is In Germany. according to
advices received here, a widespread i'm
preston. right OF wrong, that the
maximum and minimum project is
aimed pretty directly against Germany.
More than that, when this plan was
first brought forward by Senator Aid
rich the Germans were greatly con-
cerned about IT, They knew that in the
trade arrangement negotiated by the
North commission over two years ago
Germany got the small end Of the thing
and the chief benefits came 10 the
United Suites Why. then. asked the
Germans. should the United States be
bringing forward project which looks
10 denouncing that trade agreement, so
advantageous TO #, unless It was out
for the big game of a tariff war;
And so the Germans calculated until
they received copies Of the Aldrich
rates. and. studying them ia compari-
son with the Dingley duties. reached
the conclusion that for all essential
purposes this is revision upward
rather than downward Nobody studies
International trade more closely than
the Germans. They lost no time reach
ing the decision that the reductions
granted by the Aldrich bill are insig-
nificant and Ineffective. they consist In
reducing rates which were preposterous-
~ prohlbitory in the Dlngley act, but
leaving them stiH safely probibitiyc-
II a rate OF IS per cent is prohibitivc,
a rate OF 100 per cent can do no more;
and il Is pDr cent is enough. the 1000
per cent rate can be handsomely scaled
without making a. least difference.
Scent "Aldrich Method"
The Germans discovered. even sooner
then have the Americans, that this is
the Aldrich method Of revising
Having figured out this much the Ger
mans set 10 studying the maximum and
minimum provision. They realize that
any country against which these maxi
mum rates are imposed ygiIl be hope
lessly left out Of the American market.
But they are convinced, on examina-
ton. that these maXima VIII never
be applied as afgai ast Germany: that
they can't be applis l. and that Mr. Aid-
them TO be.
For the Germans say that 10 apply
these antagonistlc maximum rates
against Germany. would tnhict haid-
ship on America which would bring a
protest the Administration could not
neglect Take the single item Of coal
tar dyes No matter what the rate on
these. the American manufacturers OF
textiles must have them. They are not
10 be had anywhere else. Nobody can
make them as tn Germans can. and
without them tae te xtile iEdustry would
be stranded To raise the duty on them
. per cent would be 20 do a serious In
jury 10 the textile business in this
country. and 10 threaten IS large and
growing foreign trade.
Enjoy Advantages.
The British and German manufae-
turers OF cotton goods. FOR instance.
having the benefit C cheap labor an
cheap dyes and the world price or CT
ton, would enjoy advantages which the
American manufacturer could not over
look The American home market would
not be affected. because the tariff takes
care or 81. but foreign trade. not only
I'm these articles but IN many more
things, would be ruined If the Germans
were not given a chance 20 get into this
market with the wide range of manu-
facturers' materials they send here.
Throughout the whole chemical sCaed-
ule this case Of the coal tar dyes can be
duplicated many times. The American
manufacturer business IN many eases
depends on getting certain things from
Germany. It's no use trying TO punish
Germany when Il hurts the American
manufacturer stili worse, say these Ger
mans. And so they anticipate that even
If the Aidrich maXima are meant IA
good faith, they win be found I'm eN
perience 90 have sadly overdone the
thing. and 10 have defeated their own