New Britain herald., 1917-12-10
Cutting DEADWOODI
FROM TARIFF LAWS
First Report Of Commission Re-
YealS Initial Line Of EndeaVOr

| Washington, Dec. 10.-The United
States Tariff Commission, which was
organized for work April 1, 1917, has
| just submitted to congress it's first an
nual report The commission is
| charged with the investigation of the
administration and the fiscal and in
! dustrial effects of the customs law of
| this country, including their relation
not only to the federal revenue but to
| the Industries of the country 1t has
! power. further, to investigate CONNER
| cial treaties, preferential agreements
| and economic alliances and the con-
ditions and causes affecting the COM
| petition of foreign idustres with those
! Of the United States.
/ The commission submitted, during
| the extra session of this year. to the
| committee on ways and means of the
house of representatives report
which recommended that congress
| should take steps analogous to those
which other countries have taken. and
which are there known as paddock
! laws whereby proposed increases IN
! duties and taxes should go into erect
| before the enactment of new revenue
| laws, but subject to their being hnaiiy
passed. The method adopted by con
! gress to attain the same end in the war
| revenue act of this year Is to follow
| taxable articles into the channels OF
| trade But this does not reach small
Ter retail stocks and it has the furthef
! objection that it suddenly imposes
great burdens and responsibilities on
| the bureau of internal revenue. The
| commission repeats its recommended
| ton for permanent legislation on TINS
| subject. ga
| The commission has undertaken the
| task of drafting a revision and codl-
| fication Of the administrative laws re-
| lating to the customs. in order TO re-
| move the existing Implications, con
tradictions and antiquated provisions.
| It has invited suggestions from treas
| llrv officials, others in the public SER
| vice. and business men and attorneys.
| The commission hopes to present TO
! congress, q revision which. ii approved
and enacted into law, will result IN
| clearneSs and simplificatlon IN tne
form and substance of the customs adj
! ministrative laws, Increased efhclency
| and greater convenience for the pup
lie. and a substantial saving Of Gov
| eminent expenditure. In this connec-
ton the commission is also investigat-
as a means of expediting export trade
and overcoming demurrage in ocean
! commerce. .....i
! Encyclopedia OF Information.
The commission has undertaken to
establish q catalog of tariff informa-
ton somewhat in the nature of an en-
cyclopedia, which shall contain as fairy
| as possible data for each important
| article 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 cat
alogue is to be kept continually up to
date. A part of the general plan will
be the establishment of a tariff IL
brary in which will be kept books,
pamphlets, letters from producers
and importers, etc., classified and ar
ranged for ready consultation in con-
nection with the catalogue.
The commission is making a special
survey Of the chemical industry and
expects to present to congress de-
tailed report showing the develop
ment Of the industry and especially of
those branches which have been most
stimulated by the war. The investiga-
ton carried on by the commission viii
be especially devised SO as to provide
the information necessary for a legis
latve readjustment to peace condi-
TONS BY direction of the president
the comm isSon is taking the special
census of chemical products made nee e.
cssary by section sol of the act of
September s, 1916.
War disturbances, such as the effect
of the war on the supply Of raw ma
oJr Ojc mi NJ n
ferent industries, new and increased
esta blishments, changes in processes.
and plans for reimbursement after the
war, are being specially considered by
the commission.
The entrance of the United States
into the European war has brought
the activities Of the commission, as
those of every department of tho gov-
ernment into closer relation to war
problems and conditions. Allies ana
enemies are considering the possibility
of commercial warfare. commercial
neutrality, and commercial alliance.
The Central powers are considering
the arrangement of an economic union
for Central Europe. Imperial prefer
ence has been actively discussed in
England and in her self governing
colonies Far-reaching possibilities
are suggested by the results of the
Paris Economic conference which met
IN June, 1916, and which provided for
l differential treatment between allied
neutral countries, and
enemy countries. In the act creating
he tariff commission, the commission
was specifically empowered Ito in
iestigate the Paris Economy Pact and
similar organizations and arrange
nents in Europe" The commission Il
s preparing an extensive report on
bargaining tariffs, commercial treat ties
md economic alliances. The United