The New York herald., 1921-06-30
$600,OO0,OOOTARIFF
BILL INTRODUCED in
HOUSE BY FORDNEY
Estimated as Greatest Rev.
enue Producer in Coun-
try's History.
TRIPLES OLD RATES
Measure Represents Repub-
lican Idea of Protection to
American Industries.
FREE LIST HEAVILY CUT
Duties Based on American Not
Invoice Value-President
Has 'Barterihg' Powers.
TRIPLES OLD RATES
FREE LIST HEAVILY CUT

Special Despatch to THE New Yorx HmALo.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., june 20.
The greatest revenue producing
tariff bill in the history Of the country
was introduced in the House to-day
by Representative Joseph w. Fordney
tMich.), chairman Of the House Ways
and Means Committee. 1t represents
the views Of the Republican members
Of the committee as TO the extent to
which the Republican principle of pro-
lection should be exercised to safe
guard American industries and pro-
ducers.
Although comparison with the last
Republican tariff act is difficult be-
cause Of numerous changes made in
the methods of basing duties. Govern
ment experts believe the schedules
taken as whole are equal and prob
ably somewhat higher than those Of
the Payne-Aldrich law of 1909.
Estimate 100000. 900 Return.
Many duties arc higher than were
imposed In 1909. while others are lower
but the free list is somewhat smaller.
The bill will produce in revenue be-
tween 500. 100000 and $500. 900 900 year. 1t
is estimated. That sum is nearly double
the return from the Payne-Aldrich law.
but the estimate is based on the belief
that imports will be much greater thnn
twelve years ago.
Taken In its entirety. tho bill may b
said to triple the rates now in effect
under the Democratic Underwood Sim
mons law OF 1918. The average ad
valorean duty of the present law is 6
per cent. while under the new bill it
Will be about IS per cent. Scores of
articles have been removed from the
Democratic free list and made dutiabIe.
The Democratic tariff now yields about
$500. 900. .O00
The belief that the rates In the bill will
exceed those of the Payne-Aldrich law
is based on the fact that the measure
provides the duties shall be based on the
American valuation and not on the in
voice value abroad. as was done in 1909.
The effect OF this change Is uncertain.
but with American values high and for
eign values low. as the result of the ex-
change situation, the provision may make
for considerably higher rates.
In accordance with the views of Pres
ident Harding the Executive is given
wide authority to enter into trade nego-
tiations with other nations looking
toward reciprocity agreements The
President also receives broad authority
to take steps to eliminate other dis
ordinations against American trade by
diplomatic ''barterinr."
consolation for Thirsty.
The thirsty may get some consolation
from the bill because II still contains
the historic Schedule n. despite the fact
that national prohibition has been en-
acted. This schedule Is headed Spirits.
Wines and Other Beverages" and covers
brandy. champagne absinthe, cordials.
ale. porter and beer. The tariff still
recognizes that beer may be imported.
although Congress by the anti-beer bin
Is about to prevent its use.
An eleventh hour change was made In
the bill by the committee to-day when Il
removed crude and fuel OIL from the free
list. A duty Of 25 csats a barrel of
forty-two gallons was placed on crude
and 20 cents on fuel
All other refined oils are free This
change Is certain to arouse strong op-
position on the ground that II will en-
courage a continued drain on oil re-
sources OF the nation.
The bitterly contested lumber schedule
In certain TO cause a sharp fight. al
though the Republican insurgents on this
point won a partial victory when the
Ways and Means Committee agreed to
leave TO the Executive the question
whether reciprocal 25 per cent. ad
valorem duty on finished lumber i'm
ported from Canada shall apply. Rough
logs carry a duty Of 81 a thousand feet.
shingles are made dutiable at the rate
of so cents a thousand and other duties
on minor items are included. Wood
pulp and print paper are free.
Republican insurgents to-day made II
plain they plan 10 continue their fight
against the Is per cent duty on finished
lumber until President Harding states
that he will not put this lumber tariff
into effect under any condition.
Probably the biggest increases over tn.
Payne-Aldrich rates appear IN the steel
schedule. The COMMITTEES decided 70 build
up that part OF the industry making
ferro-alloys Of steel. putting In the bill
duties in some instances 245 per cent
above the 1909 law. This II virtually n
prohibitive rate. Other steel schedules
arc higher than before.