New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-20
The Baltimore sun" practically agrees with
him that point. 1t said:

The Baltimore sum practlcally agrees VIII
him on that point. 1t said:
II does not seem entirely clear whether the
maximum rate would affect articles on the free
list, such coffee. The maximum rate pro
vided is the rate prescribed in the dutiable llst
plus 25 per cent nd valoren Coffee is not IN inc
dutiable list. Nevertheless, the language o. the
act would to include for the hlSher rate
all articles imported into the United States from
any foreign country.
If The sun" is right. Mr.. Clayton is also
right But in snte OF some regrettable awk-
wardness in the construction of the first para
graph of the maximum and minimum section or
the conference report. it will probably be held
that the law intends the retaliatory penalty OF
- per cent al valOrem TO be imposed only on
articles already dutiable. There is no direct
reference in the section 10 articles normally on
the free list. although tie House draft of the
bin, which was before the committee, named
large number of articles free i'm the minimum
schedule which were to be taxed 90 per cent adj
valorem in the ma Ximum schedule. If the free
list was 10 be affected 10y the change from mini
mum TO maximum rates. it is reasonablelto sup
pose that the conferrees would have expressed
that intention very definitely We are inclined
10 think that coffee VIII remain free under either
schedule
The Sun" also says:
II is worthy of notice that the minimum tariff
rates, which inordinately high, are nor re-
stored to country after the DIST ot
until ninety days after the President has lssueu
his proclamation. Therefore. unless the Pres
dent acts before the first day of next January,
there will be at least period OF maximum taritI
rates.
This is obviously a misapprehension. the
President is not Obliged To issue -proclamations
continuing the minimum rates before March 81
arrives The ninety day provision referred to
by The sun does not apply 10 any proclama-
ton substituting minimum for maximum rates.
II applies only to special changes after April l
next from the lower TO the higher schedule OF
duties The minimum rates are now in force,
and will remain in force till March 81. 1910.
The maximum rates go into effect automatically
on April / except as 10 countries named before
that date in procamations. II certain countries
cannot show that they give the United States
most favored nation treatment, the maximum
rates must continue against them until the Pres
ident is satisfied that the determinations COM
planned of have been removed He can act with
out any delay in putting the minimum rates into
effect But If a country enjoying the minimum
rates by virtue Of n proclamation changes its
policy, begins TO discriminate against US. and
that discrimination is taken notice of by the
administration, a stay of ninety days is allowed
before the higher rates proclaimed replace the
lower. continuance Of the lower rates is the
general aim of our tariff policy.
The Tribune has issued pamphlet containing
the text Of the Payne law. The usefulness of
such a publication is evident in view OF the many
confused and erroneous ideas in circulation as
10 the scope and meaning of the law.