New-York tribune., 1911-12-19
SEEKS TO PROTECT TRADE
Knox Writes to Senator Curtis
on Discrimination.
SHOWS POSSIBLE REMEDY
Amendment to Tariff Law Would
Permit President to Impose
Extra Duties.

Washington Dec E-s.cretary Knox has
written 10 Senator Curtis, Of Kansas let
ter giving infor nation compiled by the gov
ernment. which IN the opinion OF Mr.. knoF
would Justify legislation 10 provide grad
uated means of meeting determinations by
foreign countries against American COM
merce. The Senator has framed bill cal
culsted TO meet the situation as IT arises
THE problem" said Secretary Knox, 'is
to provide for the removal. so far az prac-
ticable. Of such features in foreign practice
as may be found adverse 10 our export
trade development and Of serious import 10
those American enterprises directly af-
fected.
In tho opinion 81 the department this
problem may he solved through tho mc-
dunn of an amendment 10 Section OF the
act OF August 5, loDa. whereby may be sf
forded a sufficient degree Of elasticity in
the imposition OF tariff rates suited to the
offences intended for correction"
Secretary Knox cited some ~ tho more
important instances to which the attention
If the State Department has been called.
but which properly may not he consld
cred as falling under the classification OF
undue determinations Then he wrote:
There have been developed I'm recent wears
numerous Instances of tariff and admins
tratlve discrimination against products of
the United states. Many Of these. and, in
deed, the most important as they then eN-
listed, were removed or were cqualiZed by
compensation in tariff rates granted by
other countries through the negotiations
Following the enactment Of the tariff Law
Of August ). 1901.
Some instances Of discrimination could
not be removed by negotiation. and be-
cause OF their minor character when con
sidered In the relation Of a commerce thus
involved 10 the entire commerce Of the
United States with the particular offending
countries, they were permitted TO remain.
Since the conclusion Of these negotiations
other instances have developed In the way
Of discriminative practices. both with re-
Spect to capital investments Of American
citizens In foreign countries and IN regard
ia measures I'm tho administration of for
eign tariffs adverse TO the commercial in
teresis OF the United States.
Secretary Knox's list of countries making
determinations, which, however. he said he
did not consider as properly speaking "un-
due" follows:
Belgium-FailurA Of state railways admin
istration 10 permit the Continental Petro-
lcUm Company. Of Antwerp. representing
a Texas oil exporting concern. TO bid for
supplying the state railways with lubricat-
ing oil of American production. The advcr-
tisement for bids invariably specify oil of
Russian origin.
Germany - Administrative embargo on
American meats. legislation restricting the
potash output, and so taxing surplus pro-
duction as 10 make valuelesS certain ad-
vantages obtained by Americans under
contracts with German mines in 1906 and
1900. Export certificate practices which
provide the equivalent of bountles on eN-
ports destructive of American trade i'm
neutral markets; freight rates on state
railways much greater east bound than
west bound on tho same commodities ma
terially advantageous to Australia and
Russia as compared with tho United States
Ualy-Manufacturing tax on imported
cottonseed oil. distnctively an American
product.
Austria Hungary Tariff on cottonseed
oil double that applied TO any other edible
oil with which refined cottonseed oil com
petes: unequal and oppressive government
measures applied 10 American investments
I'm Austria respecting conversion OF crude
oil into refined oil; proposed legislation that
would destroy great part or the American
petroleum trade In Europe.
Bulga aria-Reduired denaturing OF cotton
seed oil when imported. making II unfit for
human use.
Portugal-Practical prohibition OF cotton
seed oil imports.
Snain-Inposition of rates on cottonseed
oil to treble the duty applied 10 competing
imports: denaturng OF cottonseed oil when
imported.
-SurtaX Of ao per cent sd
valorem upon West Indian imports, includ-
ing Porto Rico which would seem 10 he
entitled to the sam tariff treatment Of tho
other states Of the Union
Secretary Knox wrote that the amend
ment doubtless should originate in the
House. and he therefore communicated 10
the WAYS and Means Committee tenta-
tive draft of the proposed amendment.
which would provide a minimum OF per
cent ad valorem and maximum Of % per
cent, applicable by proclamation when the
President is satisfied that another nations
laws or practices are inlnical TO equal op-
portunity for American enterprise.
Senator Curtiss bill was framed as an
amendment ~ the pure food and drug
law. with the intent Of giving TO the Presi-
dent discretionary power 10 meet discrimi-