Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-06
Tuesday, December 6, 1921.
THE TARIFF

Grafton of Congress on its reassem-
bling should be the tariff. With
changes in duties impending busi-
ness marks time. While the emer-
gency tariff has aided it does not suf-
flee. 1t is true that the making of
permanent tariff in the midst OF
changing conditions is an extremely
difficult undertaking. This fact has
tempered the demand for haste and
contributed to the popular urge for
getting tax legislation out of the way
first. This having been done. how
ever, the demand Shifts to the tariff
and it will be insistent, perhaps too
much so, for the making of proper
tariff is not simple matter these
days and due allowance should be
made for this in the popular mind.
Regarding the protection feature OF
the tariff the principle has been well
expressed in these words: I'm all
legislation the true principle of pro-
lection is best maintained by the i'm
position of such duties as will equal
the difference between cost of pro-
duction at home and abroad, together
with reasonable profit to American
industries" But how may that prin-
cipal be applied to present condi-
lions?
A rate Of duty that would protect
us against England you'd not protect
us against Germany, where, what
with their deprecated money, the
cost of producing Is said to be no
more than one tenth of what it is in
this country. The House endeavored
to get around this by providing for
American valuations, basing ad va
loren duties on the domestic selling
price and the Senate is making an
exhaustive investigation Of the mat
ter. The House approved the meth
cd, which has met with good deal of
opposition, some of which comes
from big importing concerns that are
now able to buy German goods, for
instance, and sell them in this coun-
try at big profit and yet lower than
they may be produced here, mani
testify a condition at odds with the
principle of protection. There is,
however, quite widespread appe-
hension that this method of valuation
will afford an excessive protection to
our producers and result in extortion
to our consumers. 1t is we'll that the
Senate is carefully studying it. Rea-
sonable protection the country does
want and must have if it is to pros
per. Opportunity to take advantage
Of the unusual conditions in foreign
countries is a powerful incentive, but
it should be remembered that the i'm
porter is in position to skim most of
the cream; that while we might be I
able to buy little more cheaply GER
tain articles than we would were they |
produced in this country the advant- |
age would chiefly accrue to the i'm
porters and our own industries would |
suffer, which spells anything but |
prosperity for the country as a whole. !
The Fordney- Penrose tariff bill |
which is now before the Senate was
submitted to the House the Goth of |
last June, preliminary work on 1t |
being begun in 1920 and hearings |
having been given before the Ways
and Means committee from January
9th to February 16. The bill passed
the House July 81, 2SS to 127. Dur
ing that time the tariff appeared an
extremely urgent matter as in 1920 |
over five and a quarter billions of |
imports had entered this country.
Agriculture was feeling injury from
unusual competition in agricultural
products. So urgent did the condi-
ton appear that Congress on May 81
passed the Emergency Tariff which
relieved the situation to quite a de-
gree. Then agitation began for the
passage of tax legislation which be-
came the main question, but sight
was not lost of the tariff and on July
% the bill was referred to the FL
nance Committee of the Senate.
Those whose opinions are regarded
conservative and informed set March
as the month which will see the final
GaSSage Of the measure