Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-12
ADOPTS
FLEXIBLE PLAN
IN TARIFF BILL
Would Authorize Hard
ing to Change Duty
Rates as Required.
Presidents S Original
Idea Altered With Ap-
proved Amendments.

| washington, Aug. 11.-A flexible
tariff plan, proposing authority for tn,
president to increase or decrease tarif
rates IN the pending bill until July l
1924. was approved Friday night b,
senate. The vote was SO to 20. will
three republicans opposing and TIVE
democrats supporting.
The Jones amendment proposing {
scientific tariff was rejected, 2
to 20
The committee amendment propos
ing machinery for a scientific tariff
was approved 81 to 13. 1t is similar
to the Frelinghuysen amendment ex-
cept that no provision is made for the
tariff commission to recommend the
rates of duty that should be fixed
The Frelinghuysen amendment was
Ashurst, Hitchcock and Kendrick, sup
ported it.
Amendments Considered
With the flexible tariff fight out of
the way the senate approved dealing
with fair methods of competition and
unfair acts III the importation of mer-
chandise into the United States 1t
then begun consideration of the so
called scientific tariff amendments pro-
posed by Senators Frelinghuysen. re-
publican, New Jersey. and Jones,
democrat New Mexico.
Just before approving the plan for
a flexible tariff the senate accepted
81 to 10 an amendment by Senator
Bursum, New Mexico, which would pro-
vide that after July l, 1924, no duties
could be changed except by authority
of congress-.
Eighteen republicans and all Of the
democrats supported this amendment
The plan as finally approved is a
sharp modification of that originally
proposed. The president is prohibited
from using American valuation except
in the case of dyes and certain coal tar
chemicals covered in two paragraphs
of the bill, and is required TO base
changes in rates on the differences in
the cost of production at home and
abroad instead Of on difference in
conditions of competition
Also the president could not change
duties from specific TO ad valorem or
from ad valorem to specific. nor trans
fer articles from the dutiable list to
the free list or from the free list to
the dutiable list, nor could he raise any
rate beyond any maximums specilifi-
cally fixed in the bill
Alterations in rates, which would be
limited to 30 per cent of the figures
fixed in the bill. would become effec-
tive within 60 days after the issuing
Of proclamation providing for such
changes. but a proclamation could not
De issued until there had been investi-
cation and a report of findings as to
~
president would be required to make
public these findings as soon as practi-
able after the changes had been pro-
,laimed.
Would Require Hearings
Under an amendment by Senator
Reed, democrat. Missouri. the commits !
ion before making its recommends !
ions to the president would be required |
o hold public hearings and give public |
otice in advance of such hearings so
hat interested parties could present !
vdence and arguments.
In ascertaining the differences in ,
osts of production, the president as
ar as he found it practicable, would
e required to take into consideration:
The differences in conditions of pro
ucing, including wages. cost of ma
erlal and other items in costs of pro-
uction of such or-similar merchandise
I the United States, and in competing
Dreign countries;
The differences in the wholesale
elling prices of domestic and foreign
lerchandise in the principal markets
the United States:
ANY advantage granted to foreign
roducer by a foreign government or
Y person, partnership. corporation
r association in a foreign country;
Any other advantages or disadvan .
ages
The original provision that in con
dering prices as factors the president
,uld allow for only reasonable prof I
g was eliminated with the approval
the finance committee majority.