The San Francisco call., 1910-03-31
France No Longer Favored in
RaiSin, Fig and Fruit
Schedules
Rates on American Wines Not
Lowered, but Benefit to
Our Rival Is Small
social Dispotch 10 The Call

commission the high tariff rates on
American wines. raisins. fgs and fruits
exported TO Canada
The tariff commission placed the
matter before the state department, and
President Taft. 1t was learned that
the French wines received prefer
entail tariff of 80 per cent while
their fruits were also allowed a lower
tariff than those of the United States
After consultation with the Canadian
authorities it was discovered that Can
ada had three tariff schedules applic-
d hle TO France. Under the main sched-
ule were fruits and other importations
Of such class, while wines were placed
on an entirely different schedule.
RATES ARE LOWERED
Under the new arrangements lately
agreed to the United States has sue
oeeded in getting the same tariff rates
for American rsfsins. oranges and other
California products as are allowed to
the French. No reduction in the tariff
rate on American wines was made but
sfter a careful perusal of reports of the
use and Importation of wines in Can
ada, and a study of general conditions.
Representative Needham and officials of
the tariff commission and the state de-
partment have decided that in the wine
schedule there is not so much favor
shown TO the French as was at first
supposed. The only wines imported
into Canada are champagne and kim
dred products Of the grape. Sweet or
unfermented wines are not imported TO
amy great extent. The only way to
change the present Canadian wine
schedule is by an order in council of
the parliament now in session at OF
tawa. II is hoped. however. that ia
the near future American wines will be
allowed A tariff rate more in keeping
with present conditions.
Representative Needham is very
much. pleased over the success of his
work this far and says that he expects
further developments viii place Ameri-
can wines on even terms with the
French.
WILL HOLD CONFERENCE
Following the proclamation of COM
plete tariff agreement with Canada to-
day. it was announced that President
Taft had invited Canadian officials TO
conference looking to closer trade reia-
tsons between the two countries and to
y general resdjustment of duties.
The unofficial story of the negotia-
tons with Canada looking TO the settle
lli ent announced today. by which Can
ada IS declared entitled to the minimum
rates Of the Payne-Aldrich law, is per-
aps. more interesting than the specific
announcement as to just what articles
are included in the concessions granted
on either side.
President Taft from the first did not
hesitate 10 let it be known that he
would go 4 long way TO avoid a tariff
war with Canada. Such a war. he be-
lieved would fan heavily upon Ameri-
can Interests and manufacturers.
FRANCE WAS FAVORED
The charge that Canada was unduly
discriminatory against the United
states originally grew out of the Cana
dian treaty with Frence, whereby the
latter country was given a reduction of
from ? z to per cent President Taft
did not take the view that this was
discriminatory inasmuch as France in
Eetufn offered to Canada similar re-
-diaCticn of rates. The United States
never having offered concessions to
canada, Taft held. could not expect such
preferential treatment. on the other
side
" There stood in the way. however. the
fact that the reductions granted by
Cafaia 10 France were automatically
applied 10 l3 other countries included
in Great Britain's favored nation" pol
10y: This, the president held, did
amount TO discrimination against the
"United States.
: President Taft made the proposition
that Canada would he absolved from
aundue discrimination" against the
United States IL this country were given
q 2k per cent reduction on the articles
with which American firms compete
with the favored nations" in the Ca
madam market The dominion govern
Rlent finally agreed to this and on these
terms the settlement was reached.
. MOSTLY NONCOMPETTIVE
- Thus, while the reductions actually
apply only 10 something like per cent
of. American exports to Canada. the
isrge part Of the exports are in non
competitive classes where America
would have the market any way.
Canada conceded 13 numbers to the
tinted States, the thirteenth being
= basket" or omnibus clause which in
rludes & host Of articles. among which
.cortonseed oil is one Of the heaviest ex-
ports.
=: As to wood pulp and print paper
some criticism has been leveled at the
president. IT was officially stated at the
Waite House today that these items did
not. and could not enter into the nego-
tiatfons. The rates and terms of duty
on wood and wood pulp are fixed in the
tariff law and can not be made the sub
Jeet Of negotiations on the part Of the
president.
semioficial statement is made
however that henceforth from so to so
per cent Of the products of the United
States will be admitted to foreign
countries free of duty and that the
American products which pay a duty in
foreign countries, SO per cent will be
entitled 10 the minimum foreign rates
A large proportion Of these products
Hitherto have paid the maximum rates
AUSTRALIA ADMITTED
The president today signed procIa-
gations granting the minimum rate
TO Australia, New Zealand. British
South Africa, New E'oundland and Ven
ezuela. OF these, the most important
commercially is Australia.
The exports Of the United States to
that country during the calendar year
1905 amounted TO more than $29 600 900.
the leading item being machinery and
manufactures Of metal, s9.431,216; wood
Mrs. Edward Eyre's imported gown
Ind manufactures. $5.179.508; mineral
oils. s2.77L27s; tobacco and manufac-
,tdres, s2,713,575.