New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-04-13
Business Chiefs
! Call New Tariff
! Bill a Blllnder
Proposed Duties Excessive
and Threaten to Hinder
Revival Of World Trade,
Leaders of Industry Say
Forcsee Public Suffering
Measure Is Folly, Red6eld
Declares: G.. E. Roberts
Asks Greater Reciprocity

Prominent bankers, importers and ex.
porters interviewed YESTERDAY seemed
Of the same general mind. regardless
of political views. as to the tariff bill
row before the Senate. They are, fo-
the most part. opposed TO the measure
as reported out by the Senate Finance
Committee and fail 90 see in il, as a
whole, any remedy for national or
world economic conditions.
That feature Of the bill allowing the
President sweeping powers in the low
ering or raising Of specific rates, how-
ever, was. with few exceptions. com
mented on as p progressive step.
George L. Roberts. vice pres ident Of
the National City Bank, said over the
telephone from his home in Ossininc
that he was mot in sympathy with the
character OF the bill az all.
More Reciprocity Demanded
"On general principles" nc SAID, the
bill is not satisfactory. bellows we
must maintain more reciprocal rela-
tons with other countries than. are
provided for IN the Senate measure.
Greater reciprocity is needed partic-
ularly IS regards Canada and me coun-
tries to the south of US.
81 think tho bill Injuries rather than
helps the possibility OF pron,pt rAcov-
cry Of commerce between nations"
Otto H. Kahn. OF KuhN, i.oo7 ( Co..
declined to give lis opinion bat
SAID he was in agreement with II. J RI: =
hume editorial, published yesterday.
which commended the Senate Com
mittee for eliminating the amcrio..a
valuation feature and which said the
bill' authors are likely to have az
hculty in recognizing their child when
it becomes law"
William c. Redhcld. CORNER Sccre.
tary Of Commerce and former prcs;-
dent Of the American Manufacturer
Export Association. said:
ION the economic side | think that
those men who are cndeavoring 10
raise obstacles in the way Of other ns-
tons paying what they owe US in the
only way they can pay US arc singular.
ly detachhd from right.
"On the political side would recon-
mend these men to see what has hap
pcned IN every national election fol-
lowing m increased tariff bill.
ut is shecrest folly to propose an
excessive tariff at this time The pro-
ponents Of this bill arc trying to build
r wall about the United States when
that is totally unnccessary.'
Importers Call Rates Excessive
officials OF the National Council Of
American Importers and Traders, an
organization opposed to a high tariff.
and officers of the National Associa-
ton of Manufacturers which favors
high tariff and American valuation az
opposed to the low rates and foreign
valuation. were agreed that the pro-
posed rates are excessive
NJ. f. Franklin president Of the i'm
porters and traders council and a
manufacturer of surgical instruments.
SAID the public would be the greatest
sufferer If the legislation should be en-
acted in its present form.
Van Leer Frank jr.. speaking as sec
.etary, OF this same organization. said
the bill would prevent the importation
Of goods much needed, or for which
there exists an important market in
the United States
Inc elimination OF the American val
nation feature as carried bv the Ford
rey bill when it passed the House is
unfortunate. IN the opinion Of Angus
tine Davis. director OF the National
Association Of Manufacturers. Mr..
Davis is president OF the Davis Auto
matte Equipment Company, zoo Fifth
Avenue
Henry Abbott. OF the Calculasraph
Corporation, 80 Church Street. another
ofhc!al OF the manufacturers orpaniza
ton, said he did not think the measure
couio pass the Senate as it now stands.
Proposed Duties Criticized
Importers generally found fault with
the new rates. Those on gloves on
oroideries and lace, for example. were
sslo by importers of these articles to
DE so high as almost to preclude inn
portat'on. The rates on silks also were
considered abnormally high.
Shoe manufacturers and tanners were
indignant that such rates as have been
proposed for hides should have received
the approval of the House and the
SENATE Finance committees. Hereto.
lore hides have been on the free list
Inc rates on wool are almost certain
10 increase the price of cloth and cloth
ing textile merchants and clothing
manufacturers said.
me National Retail Dry Goods A.so