Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-10-11
QUESTIONS FOR EXPERTS.

One OF the provisions proposed for the new tar.
iff bill is that of adopting what is known as the
American system OF valuation. Under the former
tariff legislation duties based on value were estimat-
ed on the cost Of the commodity in the foreign mar
ket. In other words, the importer paid duties
amounting to a certain percentage of what he paid
originally for the goods. The plan now proposed is
to use the value of the commodity in the American
market as a basis of computation. One reason ad.
varced for this change is the unsteady condition OF
foreign exchange and the great diversity in the rel
alive values of money in different foreign countries
has made it almost impossible to reach a ~satisfac.
tory basis of valuation if the former plan is retained
whereas, if the newer plan is adopted, all commodi-
ties will be brought to the same standard of value
namely, the value in the American market, and it
is held that this will be entirely fair to all persons
concerned. 49,. g. ~
There is being circulated throughout the coun-
try a great volume of propaganda for and against
the so-caned American system of valuation. Letters
and circulars in support of the plan have the author
ity of men high in the commercial world, and the
reasons which they advance in support of their con-
tention are so stated that they are plausible and will
seem conclusive to the average individual who is
not particularly familiar with the subject. On the
other hand, letters and circulars of exactly opposite
character denouncing the American plan of valua-
ton as unfair and unavoidable have the support of
men equally prominent in financial and commercial
life, and the arguments are stated with equal plaus-
Utility and have equal convincing power. Under
CQcSG circumstances, now is the man on the street
to know which is right? J..
The answer is that the man on the street does
not know, and cannot find out. This is but one of
a vast multitude of subjects which are utterly for
eign to the and experience of the plain,
everyday citizen. They relate to subjects which
are involved in complexities and technicalities con-
corning which the ordinary citizen has no inforrna-
ton whatever, on which he has no special occasion
to inform himself, and concerning which he cannot
be expected to reach sound and accurate conclu-
slons. Such questions are questions for experts,
and it is by experts that they ought to be determin-
ed. The appeal to the general public is based upon
IN unsound attitude toward the whole subject. It
is an unfortunate fact that a great deal of legislation
involving such technicaities is decided in just about
this manner. The country is circularized and indi-
viduals are requested to ask their congressman to
vote this way or the other. Many Of them, basing
their request on the ex parte statements which they
have received and which they have taken in good
faith. The congressman desires to accommodate
his constituents when he can do so, and unless he
has placed himself in possession of some expert
knowledge of the subject on his own account, he is
quite likely TO be 1influenced by the preponderance
OF demand which comes from his constituents, his
constituents meanwhile having no knowledge of
their own on the subject involved.
Congressional committees conduct hearings on
subjects of this character. They invite interested
persons to make their statements and to present
their opinions; and here again the congressman is
apt to be at a loss because the subject may be one
with which he has no familiarity, and a most skill
full presentation by an outsider is likely to carry the
day with him. There is room in our government
tor a body of experts whose duty it should be to
analyze, sift, and present the facts relating to all
subjects. There are such experts in the employ of
several departments of the government, and more
use should be made of their services, and the whole
system of expert assistance to the government
ought to be better organized and should carry more
weight.