New-York tribune., 1911-12-08

tariff OF tho United States 10 tnportations
! from tho several countries. and stated
/ that in its general operation section
/ of the new tariff law had proved a guar
antee OF continued commercial peace Al
though there were. unfortunately, IN
stances where foreign governments dealt
arbitrarily with American interests within
| their Jurisdiction in 4 manner injurious
and inequitable. During the past ynar
sonna Instances OF discriminatory treat
ment have been removed, but ] regret 10
say that there remain rev cases OF
differential treatment adverse - ne
commerce of the United states. While
none Of these instances nov appears 10
amount 70 undue discriminating IN the
August 3, 1909. they arc all exceptions 10
that complete degree 'of equality Of tariff
treatment that the Department. of state
has consistently sought 10 OBTAIN lot
| American commerce abroad.
While the double tariff feature or the
| tariff law of 1899 has been amply justified
by the results achieved in removing for
mer and preventing new, undue discIllnl-
nations AGAINST American commerce, II J.
believed that the time has come Tor the
amendment Of this feature or the Ia" IN
such way as 10 provide graduated means
of meeting varying degrees OF discripl-
inatory treatment of American commerce
in foreign countries. as wen ds 70 protelt
the financial interests abroad of American
citizens against arDitraty saia ann H5ugpns oga1,,
, treatment on the part OF f0reign govern
ments through either legislative OF al-
ministrative measures.
II would also seem desirable that the max
imum tariff of the United states should
embrace within its purview the free list
which is not the case AT the present tme
IN order that IL might nave reasonabie
significance 10 the governments oI those
countries from which the importations into
tho Tinted States are confined virtually 10
articles on the free list . 49,.
The fiscal year ended June ~, lell, SHOWS
great progreSs i'm the development or Amer
n noteworthy
the highest record Of exports or Amerllbn
products to foreign countries, inc vaiuaVph
being i'm excess Of $2,0oo.Op,Q?. These eN-
ports showed gain over the precedils
year of more than S0,eoVp.
There is widespread appreciation cN-
pressed by the business interests OF me
country as regards the practlcSl Nalue ~
the facilities now offered by tile Depart
ment of State and the Department or Com.
merce and Labor for the furtherancc "l
American commerce. conferences WIZ
their officers at Washington who have an
expert knowledge of trade condltons l
foreign countries end with consular oHlc'lo
and commercial agents or the Depsrtllell
of Commerce and Labor who, Whlle Oh
leave Of absence, visit the principal indus
trial centres of the United states, nav
been found of great value. These tfe1'
conferences are regarded as parucul9'E
promising method of governmental aid li
foreiqn trade promotion. The Department
of Commerce and Labor has arranged ~
give publicity 10 the expected erTlNs' IN"
the itinerary Of consular ofhccrs ana cpu'
merciaI agents while on leave In the Unltco
States. in order that trade orKanlSdIlo''
una,, arrange for conferences with them.
Az ] have indicated. it is increasingl,
clear that TO obtain and maintain that
equity and substantial equality or treal
mont essential TO the fourishlnG toTelsI
trade which becomes year by year moro
important to the industrial and commer'tsi
welfare Of the United States, We shovid
have a leubility of tariff sufficient for tle
yive and take Of negotiation by tho De-
nartmcnt of State on behalf Of orr com
lnevce and industry.