New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-13
LOW AUTO TARIFF A
BOON TO IMPORTERS
Look for FourfoId Increase IN
Business if Proposed Duties
Are Adopted.
THREAT OF RETALIATION
Possible Barring of American
Cars One of the Points Gov
cred in Argument by
Their Representative.


There are many statements or extreme
interest i'm the argument submitted by
James NJ. Carplcs. at Washington. on be
half OF the automobile importers of the
United States and on which. IL is as
sumcd. the downward revision of the
tariff on this class of goods was based.
The document is dated March 4. and II
may become historic. since tho revisers
of the tariff have recommended big
reduction ON chassis and parts brought
here from foreign countries.
For several wears the duty on foreign
motor cars and parts. although not fei-
initely scheduled as such, has been 10
per cent ad valorem Under the proposed
tariff this duty will apply only TO COM
plctc vehicles. ON chassis. which means
the power plant. transmission, irame ana
wheels. the tariff makers would reduce
the duty TO 80 per cent. and on parts of
cars to % per cent. While these rcduc-
tons are hardly what were asked for the
importers are gleoful AMI see chance
FOR a great increase IN business.
What this reduction would mean to the
importer is hard 10 estimate. Mr Car
pies asserted that a reduction To- - ror
cent would probably increase the impcr-
tations fourfold OF from 80 cars yearly
at the present. tiise 10 approximately 5000
cars. At the latter figures. the foreign
cars would amount to about ! per cent
of tho total number sold annually IN tins
country.
There is contained in tho argument q
statement which can only be construed
AS a threat against tho industry in this
country; 10 the effect that II the United
States persists in keeping mp its high
tariff wall against European-built auto
mobiles. Germany. France and England
may retaliatc. raising themselves a wall
~ duty over which the American car
cannot be successfully driven.
Directly or indirectly. every one of the
$500 odd users of the low priced car will
he benefited by the reduction in the
tariff on automobiles and automobile
parts" MIR. Carples says.
The American manufacturers Of this
particular type of machine will he only
too glad to use a high quality ball bear
ing and good quality magnetic of German
or French make and substantial castings
Of bronze or aluminium. providing that he
can get the same at an equivalent 10 what
ne is paying at the present time, ana
without charging the user dollar more.
The user will get better value for his
money, and it will certainly mean long
er life to the vehicle he is using and a
greater degree Of safety.
"Of the 100000 odd cars estimated TO be
safe to assert that at LEAST $4,000 will be
under $1,000 i'm value. ii exports continue
TO increase at the rate they have been in
creasng there will be about 30 per cent
increase between 1912 and 1913, which
would mean that $4,000 900 worth Of cars
will be exported. Al a unit value of $1,000
this would equal 5000 cars. which. de-
Quoted from the output. would leave a
balance OF 10000 for American consump-
ton.
II the prediction in the last paragraph
is verified, then in 1913 America will be-
come the greatest exporter of automo-
bies in the world. and ii is up TO America
to hold that export trade.
Il have received word that the Verein
Deutscher Motorfahrzeug-In dustrieler. Of
ciety OF London, and the Chambre Syn
dicale des Automobile. of France, are
carefully watching the action which will
be taken by the Congress on the ques-
ton of automobile duties toward the
product OF their countries and II the re-
vision downward, which they have been
led to expect, is not forthcoming. they
will Immediately start agitation in their
countries for a tariff which Will protect
them against the invasion Of the Ameri-
can small car In other words, II we in
this country see At to legislate against
the importation of between $50 to 5000
foreign cars. they would be in posi-
ton TO legislate against the admission to
their countries of some 5000 American
d. cars, and by putting up the same rate OF
duty on our machines as we have put
upon theirs they will make II impossible
for the American manufacturer TO put
his cars within the reach OF the masses.
which. by means Of the present low rate
Of duty in foreign countries, he is now
enabled TO do
Answering the question: AT what
point would downward revision of the
tariff stimulate revenue?" Mr.. Carples
answers AT the point Of competition.
lie proceeds TO point out that with 20
per cent duty chassis OF foreign manu-
facture. equipped with tires, but without
running boards, tenders. mud guards,
painting or ironing or forging of any Kind
could fairly enter into competition with
the completely equipped American car.
The Underwood bill places chassis at 30
per cent, or per. cent more than Mr..
Carples suggests
The point on which the American man
ufacturer will most strongly take issue
with the importers representative is his
assertion that by lowering the duty on
PARTS the former twill be enabled to use
the best European material at reason
able figure in the manufacture OF his car
and give the benefit 10 the consumer A
large proportion OF the Industry IN inns
country uses foreign ball bearings: but
apart from these II is doubtful II the
lower tariff will change methods TO any
considerable extent, the American motor
,ar builder being prettv well Sdtlsfleu