New-York tribune., 1922-06-05
Calder Charges
Cupidity Incites
Raid ON Tariff
Opposition Comes From I'M
porters Who Are Making
100 to 1000 7. &. on
Goods They Buy Abroad
Debate to Reveal Facts
Industries Already Hard Hit
by Competition of the
Cheap Labor of Europe

WASHINGTON. June An a vigor-
ous attack on importers who, he said
are making from 100 to 1000 per cent
on merchandise purchased abroad and
admitted free under the present Demo
cratic tariff bill, Senator Calder, Of
New York. a member OF the Senate
Finance Committee. declared to-day
that tho tariff bill would be passed
this session Of Congress.
"Not only will the bill be passed At
this session. but before the debate closes
in IN. Senate the whole country will
be- demanding that tho Democrats stop
their ilbuster and that the importers
cease opposition" Senator Calder said
We have heard a great deal lately
about war prohteers. Before the
Finance Committee is through With
this tariff discussion the country will
be shown definitely snd completely that
the pesce-time prohteers Of to-day by
importing interests are making war
proateers fade into insignihcanee.
Selfish Opposition Charged
The very interests which are shout
ing so loudly against tariff legislation
are the ones which are making from
100 70 1000 per cent prof; on merehan
disc purchased abroad and sold 10 the
American consumer Before the debate
ends the country will have all the facts
and IL will then be evident how these
reports originate that the tariff bill
will not be passed. Many Of these
great interests who are selling these
foreign-made goods 70 American women
and men are very anxious thai the
tariff be delayed, or defeated or low.
cred. because the tariff will spoil their
American market where they to-day
are enjoying these enormous profits
not only without opposition. but with
out the consumers knowing how they
are being robbed.
Much has been said recently about
decline in our impOrtatiOns and about
ali danger Of dumping being passed
These statements are based upon iacs
of authentic information. To-day. Al
the mort OF New York. where l5 pei
cent Of all goods imported into this
country are appraised, the importh
lions OF foreign toys and cutlery are
greater than ever before These good.
are coming from Germany, where the
retail selling price is infinitely less
than the American cost OF production.
American Industries Menaeed
This competitive condition. where
I the foreign cost rs far below the
American manufacturing cost. prevails
in many industrial lines Throughout
the country. Some OF our great IN
/ dustries. in large and small manu-
+ featuring oenters. are hanging on b.
I their eyelids. struggling TO survive
/ the proAteering competition of Europe
The slightest inquiry will demonstrate
the fact that in Central Europe to-day
I the cost Of production is from one
+ fourth 20 one-tenth Of what b. is here.
/ Let me cite concrete example
A few days ago ! was talking with Mr
7 Dodge. chairman of tho Mergenihslei
/ Linotype Company. which has a greA'
plant In Brooklyn. where. normally
/ iO.00O men and women are employed
+ he was not asking specific considera
/ ton from the tariff bill because m
has factories in Germany and Eng
Z land 20 take care o. MS European
/ business. but he stated that skilled
workmen IN Germany to-day receive
81 week for the same work and sane
amount Of labor which costs him from
4 $50 10 t36 in the United States.
we cannot brush these facts lightly
aside and claim that the American
worker does not need protection. but
the workmen of New York State.
know. are convinced that dificult day
are approaching II this tariff is moi
passed Steps must be taken nov q,
insure the early passage Of this bill
In fact the Senate Finance COMMITTED
already has taken such steps There
will be action and the bill will pass.
Wage Scales Compared
"It = wrong 70 say that because oni
exports exceed our imports tariff
Is rot Necessary II Is true that ir
cash value our exports excel imports
because here We ara producing on tn
basis OF wage level 80 per cent mor'
than before the war. while in German,
and Austria the wage scales are one
/ third less than they were before th'
war. This is one reason i is Of vita
importance that the rates 10 some
schedules be higher than ever befor'
70 give the same protection they gave
before the war. What We export bear
4 cash value in American money. bul
what We import u valued IN the cheaT
curreneies o. Europe. That makes foi
great spread between the value oi
or exports and imports. whereas th'
volume o. imports undoubtedly excel,
the volume Of our exports
As a member Of the Finance Com
mittee who has lived through the tariff
preparations and Investigations dur
ing the last year ] an convinced thai
We cannot hope for a permanent bust
ness recovery until this bill IL passed.