The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-26
TARIFF VIEWS
INDICATED BY
BUSINESSMEN
U. s. Chamber of Commerce
Referendum Favors An Ad-
justment Board.

Business mems organizations, as
represented i'm the membership of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States, have completed a referendum
vote on fundamental tariff questions
involving principles outside the field
Of partisan controversy.
A preliminary count OF the ballot
discloses that the vote did not com.
nit the chamber. on the question OF
American valuation. included as one
OF eight propositions in the referen-
dun, and that a decision was lacking
also on the question of postponing
tariff legislation until conditions be.
come more settled.
The vote for continuation OF the
present basis of ad valorem duties was
979 az against S33 for instituting
American valuation; and The vote on
postponement of tariff legislation was
734 for postponement and ,llO against
it, The chamber can be committed
only by a two-thirds majority OF the
votes cast.
The program to which the chamber
has now been committed by its mem
bership, and incorporation of which II
will vigorously advocate in pending
tariff legislation. includes flexible
tariff rates to be administered by q
tariff adjustment board; reasonable
protection for American industries In
destructive competition: maintenance
OF the anti-dumping principle; encour-
agement of export trade; and meas
ures to meet foreign determinations.
Adjustable rates already have been
proposed by President Harding, who,
in his message to Congress on Decem-
Der 6, last. suggested that the Execu-
tive be authorized to change duties to
meet changing conditions.
The proposal Of the chamber that 4
new body be created to administer
adjustable rates, is made with the idea
that the Tariff Commission would
make available to the new board per-
tinent facts gathered in its investiga.
ton, and that the adjustment board.
with quasi-judicial functions, should
be distinct from a commission making
Investigations.
The propositions for which the
chambers membership has declared.
with the \btes on each, follow:
Legislation should permit. in the
event of changes or economic factors,
adjustment of tariff rates by admins.
trative authorities within limits pre-
scribed by Congress for the purpose
Of maintaining a consistent tariff
policy. For 1883, against 304.
Creation Of a Tariff Adjustment
Board to administer adjustable rates.
For 1879. against 4s1.
Reasonable protection for American
Industries subject to destructive com.
petition from abroad and Of benefit to
any considerable section of the coun-
try. For 1,S4O against 81.
The principle of maintenance and
encouragement Of our export trade
should be observed in tariff 1egisla.
ton so far as consistent with protec-
ton Of American industries Of benefit
to any considerable section Of the
country and subject to destructive
competition from abroad. For 1913,
against SO.
Tariff legislation should be framed
and administered with view to meet
ing determinations. direct or indirect,
by other countries against American
trade. For 1868, against 26.
Anti-dumping legislation Of May,
1921, should be maintained in princi-
pie For, 1886; against, 81.