New-York tribune., 1909-03-20
TIE nArLlf1-n.MLNLlrM TARIFF.


An attempt IS being made 10 give sinister
significance 10 the ma ximum minimum feature
Of the new tariff bin. II IS limited that the
trainers Of the bill indulge the secret hope that
few nations will qualify under il for the bene-
fits OF the minimum schedule. and that enforce
Inent Of the maximum schedule against large
proportion Of the imp0rtations into this coun-
rrv will he necessary. There are those who al
WAYS prefer 10 anticipate the worst and 10 Tore
see retrogression where progress is Intended
The urinary purposes of the maximum mini
mum plan are TO increase foreign trade and to
compel fair treatment everywhere for the
American exporter. To frame tariff bill which
aimed at making the maximum schedule OF
general application would absolutely defeat those
purposes. for it would subject our exports 10
the maximum schedules of other countries. The
maximum schedule in a scientific scheme OF
duties must not be considered as a normal
measure Of taxation, but simply as weapon
held in reserve 10 repel aggressions on the part
Of other nations and 10 promote commercial IN
tercourse on a fair and friendly basis.
The maximum minimum scheme Is q device
for restoring the conditions which prevailed
when the United States enjoyed generally the
most favored nation privileges. All We Tvant in
commerce with a foreign nation is as liberal
treatment as any trade rival receives. We are
willing 10 give all foreign nations access to our
markets on equal terms. We should get as
much as we give and countries which refuse
US the status Of the most favored nation cannot
complain If we deny them that status in our
markets The idea that the United States Is
inviting Determinations in order TO retallate
has no foundation. In the first place. our trade
relations with the countries with which do
the largest business are not affected by the
provisions Of the new law. There will he no
change in our attitude toward Great Britain
and all the British colonies and dependencies.
They give the United States the same privileges
that other countries enjoy, and the special privi-
leges given To the mother country by the colo
MES and dependencies are expressly declared
in the Payne bill not 10 he discriminatory SO far
as the United States is concerned.
Trade with Great Britain Our largest pur-
chaser remains unaffected. We have a reciprOc-
ity agreement with Germany. which gives us
the benefits Of the minimum German schedule.
We continue that agreement by giving
Germany the benefit OF minimum schedule.
The concessions in rates embodied in that sched-
ue are more comprehensive and valuable than
any which we have heretofore given on few
articles under the provisions of the reciprocity
section of the Dingley law. Yet under those
provisions we have made reciprocity agreements
with France Switzerland. Spain. Portugal.
Russia and other countries. There ought 10 be
no great difficulty in continuing friendly trade
relations with those nations, now that We have
much more 10 offer than we had before. If any
breach comes Il will he because some foreign
country asks more from than il is willing
10 grant Us. and the United States can we'll af-
ford 10 stand in trade relations for the principle
Of equality of treatment, even If standing in
wolves a temporary exercise of the power Of
retaliation.
We cannot see In the maximum minimum plan
a scheme ''tO deprive the revised tariff Of its
promised benefits" 1t is rather n scheme to
promote fair exchange of products with other
nations. by serving notice that the United States
expects 10 trade with each Of them on the most
favored nation hasiS.