, 1922-02-24
American Valuation in Relation to Tariff

The chamber u OF the
United States recently asked for a ON
sensus OF opinion from its numerous
associated local organizations regard
ing the American valuation plan in it's
relation to the forthcoming Fordney
tariff law.
nation. or through the influence of
~pernicious propaganda. there has been
at least one vote recorded by a local
chamber against the American valua-
ton plan and in favor of the retention
OF the foreign uystom now In vogue.
By such a vote the chamber making
1t has intilnated to the world hat tho
city Il presumus to represent is an un-
American one-an Industrial comrnun-
|ity without faith In the ability and the
integrity Of its national government
to adequately function within its own
territory upon h strength and the
basis OF its own commerce..
And that therefore. in tho opinion
of tho citizens OF it's city the United
States must rest Its vitality important
revenues upon varying and uncertain
foreign trade values. such values to be
determined by irresponsible indivtd-
uals. who are entirely out of sympathy
with the tried and true American prin-
ciple OF protection to american indus
tries.
Let Il be charitabiy assumed. how
ever. that the vote has been recorded
without the full realization OF the fact
that selfish opposition to the fullest
possible encouragement of the Ameri-
can manufacturer and workingmen is
the crux Of the antagonlsm to the
American valuation plan
Inasmuch as there are comparative
ly few conversant with the proposed
American plan for the collection Of
tariff dlties and the foreign system
now in vogue, it may be set down in
general terms that the line OF demar-
cation. as 1t exists in tho average
mind. is the question OF high tariff or
low tRrin-Protection or free trade.
The prepayment OF the American plan,
almost invariably favors protection to
home industry, while the opponent OF
1t wants to buy goods in the cheapest
market OF the world to sell In the dear
est
Tho argument OF the free-trader is
that tho people who use the cheaper
foroign-made goods get the benefit OF
a lower price-an argument disproved
by innumerable instances of actually.
the most noted Of recent examples be-
ing that a weli-hnown store in the
United States had the unblushing eff
frontery to retail for five dollars
knives that had been bought in Ger
many for nine cents. Chairman
Fordrey Of the ways and means com
mittee Of congress. has called attention
to this fact.
1t is not generally understood. I'M
fortunately. that the rate OF tariff duty
land the rate alone-makes the tar
fff high o. he tariff low-protection
or free-trade.
This is a truism unaffected by the
fact tina with an equal amoun of
duty on any certain articles of com
merce. and with equal facility and
honesty OF collection, the home pro
duct would a r better under the oper-
alton OF the American plan than under
the foreign
For instance. with a tariff duty Of
T5 per cent ad valorem according to
vaiue) on toilet brushes, tho Ameri-
can industry would thrive as It de-
serves to thrive under h. American
plan. while with the same amount Of
duty under the system now in vogue
the industry would have difficulty In
existing.
With the rate Of IS per cent. as al
lotted at present in the proposed Ford
tney tariff law. the American plan will
give tho American toilet brush indus
try at least a chance to survive. be-
cause the value of the competing i'm.