Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-25
COMMITTEE HEARINGS
PLAN TARIFF REVISION
Republican Conference Issues In.
structions for Meetings to Begin
Immediately.
FREIGHT RATES CAUSE CHANGE
Ways and Means Body of House to
Take Up PrOblcm-Mr. fordney
Declares Greater Protection Is
Needed Than Law Provides.

WASHINGTON. May 24-Extendcd
hearings with a view Of complets
revision Of the tariff laws will be be-
gun Immediately by the Ways aud
Means Committee. This announcement
was made in the House today by Rep
rcscntative Fordney. Republican. Of
who said that the Republican confer
cnce had issued instructions to this
eject,
The necessity for this course. Mr..
Fordncy declared. has become more ur-
gen, as the result of the action Of
III" railroad administration in reduce
ing freight rates on foreign imports
entering the United States at Pacific
ports.
This is in every sense OF the word
Il reduction of our present tarin rates
on imported goods" the Ways and
Means Committee said. 1T is another
way OF getting at lower import duties
by lowering the rates of freight on
these goods and not on domestic
FOODS"
The reported reductions. which be-
%IIi"e operative May 20. according TO
y per ton on less than carload lots.
and from Sl.S7 l-2 per ton TO $50 per
Ton Oh carload lots.
Chinn and Unaware Affected.
Representative Wilson. Republican,
~ Illinois. asked II the chairman un-
derstoOd that domestic goods manu-
featured on the Pacific Coast similar
:" goods as are imported into this
country VIII not have the same rates.
he replied:
This applies TO imported goods from
'h" west coast Of the Pacific as you
may term 1t, coming into this country
and transported TO tho eastern coast
especially by the railroads, but Il does
not apply to domestic goods manufac-
cured on the Pacific Coast and shipped
20 the East"
The commodities affected by the rail-
roads order. Mr. Fordney explained
are ch!ehy china and glassware. but
ports also arc included. They come
chiefly from Japan and China.
The result Of the order. Mr.. Fordney
asserted is TO give lower rates to
man: important products which come
into the United States in competition
Win goods made here. and will prove
a heayy blow 10 Industries which at
the present time need greater pro.
lection than is given in the existing
tariff law"
Gonsidcr Repeal OF Luxury Tux.
our tariff rates now on all imports
IN Tho last twelve months" continued
MT. i"rdney, have been cut down to
the lowest adj vaiorcm rates charged
by any country on the face OF the earth.
fhc% arc below those CT China. q frac-
ton below per cent ad vaIorem."
The railroad administration decided
On the reductions. . was stated. with
OUT consulting with any other branch
II The government. The Department
81 Commerce Was declared TO have no
Information on the subject. The Inter
state Commerce Commission also was
reported IS having had no adr!ccs In
the matter.
The director generals Office informed
Nr. fordney inLt tn. rate concessions
were the result, OF unanimous result,
from importers OF foreign-made goods.
No request had come from other quar-
;crs.
Asked hy Ranrnsap,.,,,. 3,,.,
publican % Pennsylvania, whether the
Vallf"ad administration had given am
reason Tor the alleged Discrimination
Ar ForIn"H replied: NO except the
f"l4rchH administration says we are
opeTaths in the interests OF the rail-
ROADS. ana Il SOU want any other cN-
cuSe' tnAi Of protection or otherwise
go TO congress and set ii and do not
come TO us"
The Ways aud Means. il was further
hnnonncd. vii he called together
ea!iF next Week 10 consider bills for
Tho repeal OF luxury and soft dr!nl;
taxes.