Evening star., 1917-12-10
FOR READJUS7lNG TARIFFS.
ION CONCLUSION Of PEACE.
Opinions in First Annual Report Of
Commission Show Entry Into War
Has Made It Certain.

/
1917. had made it evident that the COM
mercial treaties and tariff arrange
ments between the United States and
foreign nations needed revision. Our
| entry into the war has made 1t certain
beyond question that on the conclu-
| sion of peace the attention OF the gov
ernment must be given to this impor-
tant subject"
This is the opinion of the members of
the United States tariff commission, as
expressed in it's first annual report to
Congress. +. w. Taussig is chairman
of the commission, and members of 1t
are David ]. Lewis. William Kent. Will
liam S. Culbertson and Edward p. Cos
tigan.
War disturbances, such as the effect
of the war on the supply and demand
of raw materials. tendencies developing
in different industries. new and in
creased establishments, changes in
processes and plans for readjustment
after the war, are being especially con-
sldered by the commission.
Facts for Bargaining Power.
Both the allies of the United States
possibility of commercial warfare. COM
merclal neutrality and commercial alll-
ance. The central powers are consid-
ering the arrangement of an economic
union for central Europe. Imperial
preference has been actively discussed
IN England and in her self-EoverninS
colonies. Far-reaching possibilities are
suggested by the results of the Paris
economic conference. (which met in June.
1916, and which provided for a differential
treatment between allied countries, neu
lrstl countries and enemy countries.
IN the act creating the tariff commits
sion, the commission was specifically en-
powered to investigate the Paris econ
omy pact and similar organizations and
arrangements in Europe" The commits
sion is preparing an extensive report on
bargaining tariffs. commercial treaties
and economic alliances. The United
states has never had n consistent policy
with reference TO bargaining tariffs.
whereas the countries of Europe have
worked out several different systems The
tariif commissions report will provide the
facts upon which Congress may found a
method for using the bargaining power in
American tariffs and also upon which
American commercial treaties may be ad-
Justed to meet the conditions of the mod
ern world.
Suggestions Are Invited.
The report shows that the commits
sion has undertaken the task of draft
administrative laws relating to the
customs. in order to remove the existing
Implications, contradictions and anti
quated provisions.
1t has invited suggestions from Treas
ury officials. others in the public service
and business men and attorneys The
commission hopes TO present to Congress
revision which, if approved and enacted
INTO law, VIII result in clearness and SIM
plification in the form and substance of
the customs administrative laws, increase
efficiency and greater convenience for the
public, and substantial saving of gov
ernment expenditure. In this connection
the commission is also investigating the
question OF free zones in ports as means
OF eXpediting export trade and overcom-
ing demurrage in ocean commerce.
Catalogue Of Tariff Data.
The commission has undertaken to es-
tablish catalogue of tariff informa-
ton. somewhat in the nature of an en-
cyclopedia. which shall contain as far
as possible data for each important ar
ticle affected by the tariff The data
will include statistics on imports. ex-
ports, production. prices and cost OF
production. processes of manufacture
and competitive conditions. This cata.
logue is to be kept continuously up to
date.
The commission is making a snecial
survey of the chemical industry and ex-
poets to present to Congress a detailed
report showing the development of the
industry and especially of those
branches which have been most stimu-
lated by the war. The Investigation
carried on by the commission viii be
especially devised so as to provide the
information necessary for a legisla-
tive readjustment to peace conditions.
BY direction of the President the com
mission is taking the special census Of
chemical products made necessary by
section Sol OF the act of September s.,
Jouett shouse. representative in Con-