The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-04
ncern of vital Importance to this ma.

concern of vital Importance to this ma
ton.
No evidence of prosperity among well
established farmers should blind us to
the fact that lack Of capital is prevent
ing a development of the nations agri-
cultural resources and an adequate in
crease of the land under cultivation;
that agricultural production Is fast fall
ing behind the increase in population
and that, in fact, although these well
established farmers are maintained in
Increasing prosperity because Of the
natural increase in population, we are
not developing the industry of agricul-
ture.
Advantage Of Maximum and Minimum
Tariff Provision.
The importance which our manufac-
lures have assumed in the commerce
of the world in competition with the
manufactures Of other countries again
draws attention to the duty of this
government to use it's utmost endeav-
OlS " SCCuAN 4luplALAAl IACuIAACAAk
American products in all markets.
Healthy commercial rivalry in interna-
donal intercourse Is best assured by
the possession Of proper means for
protecting and promoting u foreign
trade. 1t is natural that competitive
countries should view with some con-
Germ this steady expansion of u COM
MERGE. If in some instances the meas
ures taken by them to meet it are not
entirely equitable a remedy should be
found.
In former messages l have described
the negotiations of the department Of
state with foreign governments for the
adjustment of the maximum and mini
mum tariff as provided in section 2 Of
the tariff law of 1909. The advantages
secured by the adjustment of u trade
relations under this law have contin-
ued during the last year, and some ad-
ditional cases of discriminatory treat
ment of which we had reason to COM
plain have been removed. The depart
ment of state has for the first time in
the history of this country obtained
substantial most-favored-nation treat
world.
There are, however, other instances
which, while apparently not constitut-
ing undue discrimination in the sense
Of section 2, are nevertheless excep-
tons to the complete equity of tariff
treatment for American products that
the department Of state consistently
has sought to obtain for American
commerce abroad.
Necessity For Supplementary LeeisIa.
ton.
These developments confirm the opin-
ion conveyed to you in my annual mes
sage of 1911, that while the maximum
and minimum provision Of the tariff
law of 1909 has been fully justified by
the success achieved in removing pre-
viously existing undue determinations
against American products, yet expert
ence has shown that this feature of
the law should be amended in such
way as to provide a fully effective
means of meeting the varying degrees
of discriminatory treatment Of Ameri-
can in foreign countries still
encountered, as well as to protect
against injurious treatment on the part
of foreign governments through either
legislative or administrative measures
the financial interests abroad of Ameri-
can citizens whose enterprises enlarge
the market for American commodities.
l cannot too strongly recommend to
The congress the passage Of some such
enabling measure as the bill which was
recommended by the secretary of state
in his letter of Dec. 10, 1911. The OBJ
ject of the proposed legislation is, in
brief, to enable the executive to apply,
as the case may require, to any OF all
commodities. whether or not on the
free list from a country which discrim-
mates against the United States, a
graduated scale of duties up to the
maximum Of 25 per cent ad valorem
provided in the present law.
Flat tariffs are out of date. Nations
40 longer accord equal tariff treatment
to all other nations irrespective of the
treatment from them received. Such a
flexible power at the command of the
executive would serve to moderate any
unfavorable tendencies on the part OF
those countries from which the impor
tations into the United States are sub
stantially confined to articles on the
free list as well as of the countries
which find a lucrative market in the
United States for their products under
existing custom rates. 1t Is very neces
sary that the American government
should be equipped with weapons Of
negotiation adopted to modern econom
lc conditions in order that we may a
all times be in a position to gain no
only technically just but actually equit
able treatment for our trade and alst
for American enterprises and vested in
~terests abroad.
Business Secured to Our Country b,
Direct Official Effort.