Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-05-29
TARIFF COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE
SUGAR SITUATION; MEN COMING HERE
Commissioners CuIbertson and
CoStigan Going to Orient
in June
By c. s. ALBERT

"AShlNG lON, II. ~ may IL
The entire sugar situation is to be
investigated by the United States
Tariff Commission. The inquiry will
extend both to cane and beet produc
ton. 1t will not be especially eiabor'
ate but is intended to obtain com
prehensive outline Of existing cond1'
tions.
The United States Tariff Commits
sion was created by an act OF Con
gress approved September 8. 1910.
The body was not organized until
April l OF this year. Because OF un'
settled conditions created by the war
a decision was reached not to under
take any elaborate statistical inqul-
ries at present.
A formal announcement Of the com
MISSIONS plans include these aedVi-
ties: .....s, A.
yestigation into the sugar situation,
both cane and beet, for the purpose OF
bringing I'D to date the Information
contained In the reports Of the Bureau
OF Foreign and Domestic Commerce
and the Federal Trade Commission.
This investigation will be confined TO
a limited number Of representative es-
Establishments. ~
comnissIor 70 Visit. Orient Soon
The commission has ordered an in
vestigation into foreign trade rela-
lions, commercial treaties and bar
gaining tariffs. This investigation IN
cludes a foreign Investigation to- De
conducted by Commissioners Culoert-
son and Costigan. These commission
ers will leave in June for Japan. Chi.
ma, Russia, Great Britain, Italy and
France, for the purpose OF studying
the problems on the ground. Stimuli
taneousiy the investigation will be
carried on in this country so that as
quickly as possible all available in.
formation on hearing on commercial
treaties and international relations
may be made available tor the Prest
dent and the Congress- r.. = <,
TIRE communication has ordered an IN,
vestitafI6n Ifift Schedule a Of the
Tariff Net, which deals with chemi-
Gals, oils and paints. ......
The commission has ordered an IN.
yestigation Of wool and other phases
Of the sheep industry, for the purpose
OF studying the conditions Of produc-
tiop and distribution the world over
since 1910. h.. 49, ="
Conferences have been held with
some experts In the silk industry, and
suggestions have been requested, but
no Investigation in this field has yet
been undertaken.
Report on Legislation 2
The United States Tariff Commits
sion, at the request Of the chairman
Of the ways and means committee OF
the House Of Representatives, has
already filed alcompleted report upon
interim legislation. II the commits
sion's suggestions are adopted large
amount OF revenue win be saved.
Heretofore, when increases in rates
under revenue acts were anticipated,
importers have rushed their products
into the channels OF trade in advance
or the final passage Of the acts, with
q consequent loss Of revenue to the
goyernment, and yet with no ceres.
ponding benefits TO the consumers
who finally purchased the articles at
prices determined by the increased
duties. The report shows the need IT
interim legislation to q provide that
articles finally subjected to duties
shall be assessed from the date Of
the report OF the bill from the ways
and means committee, or from date
TO bs fired by presidential proclama.
ton! The report also shows the ne
cessity for safeguards to protect out
standing contracts which might be in
juriously affected by such LEGISLATION.
This report Of the commission Is now
IN the hands Of the ways and means
committee and has been ordered
printed for. Immediate circulation.
The commission has ordered an In.
vestigation into tariff administration.
Administration custom laws are be-
ing compiled and q tentative revised
code Is being prepared in cooperation
with the customs division Of the treas
ury department. This work Of re-
vision will be based on suggestions
from attorneys and agents who are
intimately concerned with the admin
istration Of the customs laws and
others who may protfer helpful sug'
gestions.