New-York tribune., 1920-12-29
Industry Seeks
Rcciprocityin in
Foreign Trade
Automobile Manufacturers
Take Lead in Demand.
j, ing Lower Instead Of
Higher Protective Tariffs
''Big Business in Line
Feared Other Nations Nav
Retaliatc; Farmers Will
Ask That Congress Act
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.-Reciprocity.
if not free trade, instead of high pro-
lection, will be asked of Congress by
several Of the largest industries In
the country. For instance, representa-
tlves Of the automobile industry, the
fourth largest in number of men en-
ployed, will ask g general policy Of
reciprocity with all other countries, so
that American automobiles can be
shipped into every country without
the payment Of duties in return for
allowing foreign makes to be imported
to the United States duty free
The automobile manufacturers rep
resent perhaps the most radical group
of all the industries which desire lower
ing instead Of raising of the protec-
tive tariff.
They are suffering just at present
because France has recently adopted a
tariff schedule on automobiles Ymilar
to the American scale, which is 80 per
cent on all cars and trucks costing up
to $4 500 and as per cent on ali highe z
priced machines. In the last year
only thirteen automobiles have been
imported from France, while the total
value Of all automobiles and trucks
imported f1om all countries was only
Sl23,0 600. Meanwhile, the exports to
all countries were about S1O9, 900, 900.
These exports do not include, Of
course, the large number of American
roGel cars manufactured by Ford, and
by other makers in Canada, England
ana other countries.
Other Lines Want Free Trade
But, while the automobile industry
is, f.om the present ey idence, the most
r:dical Of the trades in demanding re-
moval of tariff bar -iers, it is by no
means alone. Officials Of the United
States Chamber of Commerce here say
ehat when the hearings begin, January
Is, before the House Ways and Means
Committee. of industries not only pro-
testing against the increase of present
duties. but urging reductions to the
point of free trade if reciprocity can
be obtained. most II what is popularity
called Big Business will be found in
line.
Attention has been called here 20 a
recent statement b. A. c. Bedford, of
the Standard Oil Company, which is
Interpreted as meaning that Standard
OIL heartily favors !, reciprocal policy
on tariff, instead Of high protective
wall. Mr. Bedford raid that the only
way Eu rope can pay its war debts is in
commodities. He urged that all posi-
Bile restrictions pe removed. The
Standard Oil Company, of course, is
anxious to develop Its European busi-
ness.
In the line protesting against higher
duties and urging reciprocity also art
expected to be found the big mea
packers, who do not want foreign
countries closing their doors to thei'
products, but who ere not at all afrait
Of foreign competition in the Unitet
States. According to letters whicl
have reached the Chamber of Com
merce here from high officials in tn.
industries mentioned the following
lines are in hearty agreement with th'
automobile manufacturers in nrgint
reciprocity instead of higher duties
Typewriters, cash registers, adding
machines, sewing machines, steel anc
manufacturers of boots and shoes. tht
latter with the exception of manufac
turers Of chidren's shoes.
50 that the novel situation is brough
about that Big Business, which tn