The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-04
TARIFF BOARD NEED
Is SEEN BY PERKINS
Argues That Redfield Has Adj
mitted Necessity Of Pro-
= tective Duties.
WARS EFFECTS IN lind

George W. Perkins. chairman Of the
executive committee Of the National
Progressive party. made public yesterday
a copy Of a letter which he had ad-
dressed to Secretary Of Commerce WILL
lam c. RedReld regarding a tariff COM
mission. ~.'..'
He argued that Mr.. RedAsld. in .
statement given out last week. had
really admitted the necessity Of a pro-
tective tariff. Mr.. Perkins urged that q
tarir based on the actual needs OF each
industry was necessary to prevent the
United States from becoming a dump
ing ground for European manufactures
after the war. The letter follows.
I'm a statement by YOU which APP
peared I'm the newspapers, Of september
80. commenting on the likelihood h a
Europe will use this country as Q dump
ing ground for manufactured goods when
the war In over. you said. I should be
very glad to receive suggestions from
practical commercial men az to the most
efficient means of detecting and prevent
Ing this unfair competition am there
fore writing you this letter TO give you
my views.
"In another statement on this subject
you say that while you are In favor OF
giving American Industry the protection
It will undoubtedly need when this war
Is over. you have a frank preference
for such methods as have nothing to do
with tariffs or duties. o also say
that one method you are considering
IL that Of using American consular
agents at different shipping points In
Europe BY ~instructing' them not to allow
, any goods to be shipped" from Europe
that are likely to oe old over here
nj such a low price as to anect our
manufacturers ~unfavorably. n that II
foreign countries attempt to ship goods
into this country at a greatly reduced
price our consular agents u de.
mand the right to investigate the means
OF producing the commodity. to see II
the manufacturer were selling AT a lower
| price than he SHOULD II the right to
make such an investigation by the agents
were refused. the American Consuls
could refrain from signing tho mani
tests n the products could never leave
the port for the United States.
Have you stopped to consider thu
serious international complications tina
would ensue II our consular agents were
given such instructions. made such de
mands and tried to enforce them" They
would undoubtedly be refused the in
formation and would be referred 10 thu
Wilson tariff. under which the manufac'
turers In question were operating In q
perfectly legitimate manner
THE very suggestions o make hov
thai you yourself have come TO thu
| conclusion that when this war Ia owe
certain Of our industries In all prooa'
hility will need protection. You admi'
this In your statement. but you do no
admit tn. obvious fact that the Wilson
tariff fails to provide the necessary pro
lection. and u IL clear that you are try
ing to And some other way to provide II.
"How could Europe be preparing q
use US AZ n dumping ground II on
tariff were not sue ~ to permit he
to do II? And what right would ~
have TO complain n try to 'inveAtiEat'
her costs Of manufacture and all tina
| sort Of thing when we 10 recently de
liberately changed our tariff In such
way az TO invite her TO compete witt
our manufacturers on terms more favor
able than she enjoyed before And whel
the tariff was changed the Wilson Ad
min~istration told our people that It wa
done for their advantage and to reduc
the cost OF their living .
why attempt to whip the devil aroun'
the stump? VIII! not meet the situatioI
In the only sensible. practical manne
possible. There In only one eftic lent. saf
and honorable way to protect our Aner'
can Industries. with equal fairness I
our people and the people Of Europe
and that Is through the ests blishmen
Of a permanent. expert. n~on-partisa,
tariff commission a commission tina
will he In constant session. fnvestiRa tim
the needs OF our industrial concern
! that are in competition viii similar Flu