New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-31
Britons Urge
Senate to Cut
Tariff ON Steel
Balfour Tells Committee
England Can Pay Debt to
America Only in Trade,
and Asks Cooperation
Opposes u. S. Valuation
Flour Interests Want Pro.
lection; Fishing Industry
Denounces Import Taxes

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30.-Represent-
atives Of industries of the United
States and England presented areu-
ments before the Senate Finance Com
mlttce to-day striking at rates in the
Fordney tariff bill. From England
came delegation to urge revision
downward of rates on high-speed steel.
while higher rates on -four and mill
leeds were sought by domestic milling
interests, and representatives Of the
fishing industry appeared both to de-
fend and denounce import taxes on
their products.
The British representation was made
ny Arthur Balfour, heading a deputa-
ton from the Sheffield Chamber of
Commerce, who pictured the conse-
quences to the business of his home
land should the Fordney steel rates
be retained. He said the manufac-
turers would like nothing better than
to see the present Underwood tariff
rate continue, but recognized that that
would be impossible.
I'VE know" he added, Chat the
peace Of the world depends on you and
us. We want to do nothing to disturb
disrupt or destroy that harmony which
has so long existed between our coun-
tries.
Must Pay in Goods
ave ask for no favoritism. We
y
measures. We contemplate no throat
cutting. All we ask is that we be al
lowed to live, to work and to pay you
what we owe you. And the only way
We can pay you is in trade. in goods.
mat we are very, very anxious to do"
The American valuation basis of
levylng duties as provided by the Ford
ney bill also was objected to by Mr..
Bafour. Such a method Of LAYING i'm
port taxes, he said, would absolutely"
cut off many trade connections and
create an element of uncertainty dan
gerous to trade.
NO customer, however old his bust
ness relations may be, is going to send
US an open order" he continued, "when
ne cannot tell and we cannot tell what
the duties are going to be. 1t is upon
the duties that the prices depend"
conditions in England the witness csti-
mated that about 100000 men were
out Of work and that 100000 to
100000 others were employed only
part of the time. He said British labor
leaders had recognized that their policy
Of limited production, which he ex-
planned disturbed his country greatly
during the war, was uneconomic and
that greater efficiency was now being
obtained
Pleads for Cooperation
The British steelmaker assured the
committee that his delegation desired
only to present their situation and to
ask that they be given the best treat
ment possible under the national policy.
ut is our plea" he told the commit
tee, that the longtime cooperation
and the satisfactory and pleasant re-
latlons be continued, for it means much
to us and to all the world"
With Mr.. Balfour were S. ]. Robin
son, Peter MacGregor and ]. O. Ward.
The three last named, however, did not
testify, having arranged for presenta-
ton of their case by Mr.. Balfour. The
appearance Of foreigners before the
committee, while unusual, was not un-
precedented, and was arranged at the
request Of the State Department.
Claims of the -four millers, submitted
by l.. 4. Moses, of Kansas City. Mo,
president Of the Southwestern Mjllers'
League, and A. L. Goetzmann, of Min
neapolis, president of the Milers' Ma
tional Federation, were for rates which
would be compensatory for the 25 cents
bushel duty on wheat They argued
the duty on wheat would bring no good
effect
On the question Of duties on fish
difference Of opinion was voiced by the
home producers and the importers, al
though some New England fishing in
terests favored low import tax The
Alaskan industry protested against any
changes from the House rates.