Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-09-30
New Law Gives Him Power to
Adjust Rates
HARDING LAUDS PROVISION
Calls II Greatest Contribution In Cen.
fury" In Signing Fordney-Mecum.
Der 5il-Work Through
Commission.

ing entered new phase with the
coming into force OF the Tariff act OF
1922. For the first time in history
Congress has delegated part OF it's au-
thority over taxes at the customs
houses. comforting upon the President
broad powers to increase or decrease
rates and to change from foreign TO
American valuation as the basis for
assessing ad yalorem duties ON i'm
ports.
Referring to the sections carrying
this grant of authority. President
Harding. in attaching his signature 10
the new act, declared that ii we
succeed, as hope we will succeed. in
making effective the elastic provisions
OF this bill. this will prove the great
est contribution toward progress in
tariffmaking in a century"
The Tariff Commission. created dur
ing the Administration OF President
Wilson. will be the agency through
which the President will exercise his
new authority and present expecta
tions are that its work will rank al
most in importance with that OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission The
commission will make extensive in
vestiga;ions into cost OF production at
home and abroad and viii report its
findings. with recommendations for
rate or valuation changes TO the Pres
ident
Applications from manufacturers
importers or other interested persons
for changes in rates or valuation basis
may be made 10 either the President
or the commission. but such as were
addressed to the Executive would be
referred to the commission The first
step would be a determination of
whether the facts presented justified
action If the decision was that they
did. investigation and, perhaps. hear
ings would follow.
Chairman Marvin said the commits
sion had not yet had time TO work ont
details of methods of procedure. When
this task has been completed rules
and regulations will be made public
While the commission has for years
been engaged in making Investigations
as TO differences in cost OF production
al home and abroad and gathering
facts about domestic industries. Mr.
Marvin said its functions would be
greatly enlarged under the new act.
Aside from nquiring into questions
OF rates. upon the commission will de
volve the work of ascertaining wheth-
I'D
being Disseminated against in foreign
countries and making recommends
tiuns as to means of meeting situa-
tions where discrimination is deter
mined to exist.
The ascertainment of production
costs in foreign countries is expected
by commission officials TO prove the
most difficult of the various tasks. II
is anticipated thar in some eases the
commissions agents in foreign fields
may meet with obstacles in gathering
all the facts desired However. in de-
terminng whether there shall be
changes in tariffs. the investigating
body will not be confined alone 10
actual production costs abroad but
will be authorized TO take into account
selling prices in the American market
and other conditions in competition in
trade
Treasury officials. in discussing the
new act said that although no reor-
ganization of the customs service
would be required the stats OF the
customs Offices in number OF larger
ports of entry would have 20 be eX.
banded TO handle the increased vol
ume of work.
Immediately after the Tarifi act was
signed by the President kilograms
were sent from the Treasury 70 Col.
lectOrs OF Customs. advising them
that the new law would become eff
iective at midnight.
Returning to the House after the
bill was signed. Chairman Fordney
made a speech declaring that any
advance in retail prices because OF
the operation of the new law was
unwarranted.
I'm view of the present high prices
and enormous profit in foreign goods
sold in our markets" Mr.. Fordney
told the House. there is not the
slightest ground for an appreciate in
crease in retail prices in any goods.
foreign or domestic. and whoever so
does will be a profiteer. pure and sim
pie. Any such unjustiflable acts
should be met. not by a repeal OF this
American measure. but by stringent
laws making protiteering crime, and
Misrepresentation of the tariff mere
ment In sale prices punishable as oh.
tanning money under false pretenses."