The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-12-18
TARIFF LASH FOR
PARTIAL NATIONS
Secretary of State Knox Sug.
gests Most Drastic Legis-
lation Ever Attempted

Washington. Dec. 18.-By far the
most radical tariff policy ever advanc-
ed by an administration for the pro-
lection Of American foreign trade is
contained in a letter written by Sec
retary Knox to Representative Oscar
and means committee Of the house Of
representatives..
1t is the desire Of Mr.. Knox that
the tariff be used to obtain for the
United States not only the most ia
vorable entry possible for American
merchandise in foreign lands. but to
compel the abatement Of legislative
and administrative determinations,
such as the potash policy of Germany,
and the various devices by which the
sale Of American cottonseed oil is inn
peded in many lands.
Secretary Knox asks that congress
so amend the tariff law as to permit
the president to levy on all or any
imports from countries discriminating
against the United States additional
duties Of from s to rs per cent, or to
prohibit such imports altogether.
The tariff act now provides that the
president impose on all dutaible i'm
ports from countries unduly discrim-
mating against the United States the
maximum tarih, which is IS per cent
ad valorem, In addition to the mini.
mum rates now in effect. The obser-
walton OF the bureau Of trade rela-
tons Of the state department which
has minutely studied American for
eign trade, Ia that such an act might
hurt the consumers Of the United
States as much as the country against
which 1t IL directed.
The new idea is to graduate the
retaliation. So long as the maximum
does not apply to the free list, the
United States can do little to the trade
Of countries like Brazil. whose chief
exports to the United States are cof-
fee and rubber, both entering duty
free. The mere extension Of the max
imum to include the present free list,
however. might easily injure Ameri-
can citizens. II the new law is en-
acted. the imposition Of 10 per cent
on an article heretofore free would be
as effective in bringing the discrtm-
mating power to terms as Is per cent,
but not so oppressive the American
manufacturer dependent upon the ar
ticle for use as raw material.
The letter is an exceptionally frank
revelation of the administration g
attitude toward the commercial pol
icy Of Germany. Austria Hungary,
Belgium. Bulgaria, Portugal. and Italy
whose determinations against Ameri-
~
1t shows the belief Of President
Taft and Secretary Knox that en-
trance to the American market. priz-
ed by all foreign nations. should be so
regulated as to guarantee that Ameri-
can enterprise get in ION the ground
floor" in other lands.
Opposed by Underwood.
Representative Underwood already
has indicated his opposition to this
policy, but has written to Secretary
Knox that the letter will be brought
committee. of which the majority is
now Democratic.
The letter says:
I'm adjusting the tariff and trade
relations of the United States with
other nations under the terms Of the
maximum and minimum tariff pro-
vided in section 2 of the tariff law Of
August 5. 1909. there were developed
numerous instances of tariff and ad-
ministrative determinations against
products Of the United States.
Through the negotiations which fol-
lowed the enactment OF the law. most
Of the fragrant instances of discrim-
ination were removed or were equal
lied by compensations in tariff rates
rendered by other countries in ex-
change for the granting Of a mini
mum tariff to this country.
Some instances of discrimination
could not be removed by negotiation,
and because Of their minor character,
when considered in the relation Of
commerce thus involved to the entire
commerce Of the United States. with
particular offending countries. they
were permitted to remain.
There we're issued 1874 proclama-
tions by the president under the
treaty of section 2 Of the tariff act,
and these covered the entire CONNER
cial world.
"The remarkable growth Of this
country's export trade in the past
two years Is Of itself evidence Of en-
larged markets. made possible by sec
ton Of the tariff law.
Cites Cases in Germany.
This has developed the desirability
Of seeking measures for further ad-
tustment In cases where 1t is now ap-
parent American enterprise suffers
embarrassment or loss Of trade or op.
portunity abroad.
THE problem presented is to re-
move. so far as practicable. those fea-
lures in foreign practice adverse to
our export trade development and Of
serious import to American enter
prises directly affected. To solve this
problem will call for an amendment