The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-28
PRESIDENT STARTS
A TARIFF INQUIRY
Asks Commerce Department
and Trade Board to Study
the Wars Effects.
OPEN MIND on SUGAR

wNsHiNGToN. Sept. c7.--President
Wilson l. trying to get comprehensive
information as to the effect Of the war
upon industrial conditions in the United
States and abroad with tho object of de-
Gliding whether or not there IL any need
for tariff changes.
II became known to-day that tho
President has requested the Department
OF Commerce and the Federal Trade
Commission to keep close watch on
developments ana recommend any
changes IN the tarih which the new
conditions resulting from the var ma
make advisable.
The President. 1t is authoritatively
stated. will maintain an open mind
toward any changes that the Govern
ment experts may recommend in the
light Of their investigation. This
strengthens the impression that he
does not regard himself as committed
! against the suspension OF the free
sugar schedule which becomes operative
March /.
No definite iutimatlon Of the Presi-
dents attitude on the sugar tarin was
given. however. it being indicated that
this is only a phase of the greater prob
lem which the President regards as
being involved in the study OF conditions
a. they may he affected by the war
Revision subject to Inquiry.
-, .F -. A., i,,is Ks hot
Il would be-GpHise 10 start immedl dlately
into a TSvision OF the tariff because OF
the uncertainty AS to what the ultimate
trade effects of the war will he. The
President plans first of all that the Gov
ernment departments->shall make an
exhaustive study of the trade effects of
the war so as to enable him to act in
tellgently in recommending legislation
to prepare the country for the new con-
ditions at the close OF the war.
1t is unlikely that the President will
make any immediate recommendations
for general tarlff revision, because OF
his conviction that such recommenda-
tions would he half baked and made
quate in advance Of comprehensive
study. The matter OF suspendinR the
sugar tariff while II is the most press
: ing OF all the tarifr issues, is regarded
as more Of a revenue problem than one
/ dilt'liNG wv Aihhf TlbEl'llAN w NV
{ country.
\ compilation OF revenues derived
from sugar importations during the last
few fiscal years Is being made by the
Treasury Department. The White House
already has been advised that the OPP
Grafton Of the free sugar schedule en-
tails loss Of nearly S6o,o0o,00 in
revenue.
Nr. Wilson's belief.
3 II H. understood to he Mr.. Wilson's
present belief that there will he ~ need
for changes I'm the Underwood-Simm
] tariff law until the war in Europe comes
! TO an end This view is not generally
shared by Democratic leaders, and in
the last few days the President has been
: listening to the advice of some OF these
/ leaders.
Information has been received that
determined effOr, will he made by Amer
lean manufacturers to get legislation at
I the forthcoming session OF Congress de-
signed to prevent a hood Of cheap prod
ucts from Europe h".ug dumped n the
American market when Europe rehablii-
/ tates her industries. II is known that
some officials of the Administration be-
lieyo that II the united States Is 10 suc-
coed i'm its endeavor ia assist I'm the
establishment OF a dive industry g. this
. country an anti-dnmning clause must he
incorporated in the Tnderwood-Si Simmons
act.
Rcpuhlcau critics Of the Admnlstra-
tion insist that President Wilson's solicit
( tudc as to industrial conditions In the
! United States following the war aud the
disposltion Of some OF his subordin ina ties
1 10 suggest the wisdom OF an anti-dump-
! ing CLAUSE possibly foreshadow an early
| revision OF the toriff
The Republican Contention.
AS u practical proposition Republican
/ leaders declare that the Administration
cannot defer tariff revision beyond the
I next session of Congress. They point
out that revenues are dwindllHg: that
l the cash balance Is at the lowest ebb,
/ and that the Administration will either
, be forced 20 issue bonds or gain more
money through IA revision OF the Under
wood Simmons act.
This IL privately admitted by some
Democratic leaders. hut Admlnstratio
officials assert that amendment OF the
! Democratic tariff law can with safety
= be- postponed until the war Is over.
Secretary Re field. Dr T., Il. Pratt.
| chief OF the bureau of foreign and do
| mestic commerce. and Dr. Thomas II.
| Norton. the Department dyestuff expert,
conferred to-day over methods OF fur
thering the Governments plan to aid In
| building, up an American dye industry,