The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-09-16
TARIFF
TAXES
HIGHER
Bill Levies Du-
ties Higher Than
A ny Measure Of
Recent Years

Washington, Sept. II (By the As
sociated Press The administra-
ton tariff bill in the form in which
it will become law probably be-
fore October l was made public
today with the presentation Of the
conference report to the house.
Many of the rates proposed by the
senate were reduced by the Re-
publican conferees, but the experts
estimated that the level of its du-
ties was only slightly below the
level of those in the famous Payne
Aldrich act, the last Republican
protective tariff.
Basing their calculations on the
present volume of import trade
treasury experts figured that the
bill would yield an annual gov
ernment revenue of s400,000.090.
This is s44, 100000 more than was
received during the last fiscal
year through the combined opera
sion of the Democratic Underwood
law On the Republican emergency
tariff act, both OF which will be
supplanted by this bill immediate
ly after it is signed by the presi-
dent.
Final action on the measure by
the house tomorrow was the plan Of
lea ders under an agreement made
today for only four hours Of gener-
al debate with a vote to follow i'm
mediately. The bill then will go to
the senate where debate Of week
Or more is expected TO precede the
final vote.
Discussion in both the house and
senate, but more particularly ir
the latter, will. be the forerunner OF
that to be heard over the country
before the November elections az
the bill is certain to become one OF
the chief issues in the congressional
and senatorial campaigns. Demo
Gratis will continue their attacks on
the measure as one certain to in
crease the cost OF living by several
billions of dollars a year and as
encouraging the continuation o.
war prices.
Republican proponents of the
tariff have defended it and plan to
continue to do so as the first to
accord proper measure Of protec-
ton and as necessary to protect
both industry, and labor in the
present abnormal world economic
situation and more particularly
from disastrous competition from
the low cost productions countries
in central Europe and the Orient.
Chief fighting points in the bill.
thus far have been the wool. sugar
and dye duties. all Of which We're
reduced some in conference. and
the so-called flexible tariff provis-
ION giving the president broad au-
thority over tariffs. Under this
provision as finally perfected In
conference the executive would
have the power to increase or de-
crease rates so per cent.
Should such increase prove IN
sufficient to protect American
industry the president could declare
American valuation but no rate IN
the bill could be increased on that
valuation, although decrease to 90
per cent. would be possible as the
flexible section was approved by the
senate. American valuation could
have been used only in the case OF
coal tar dyes, syntheic chemicals
and explosives.
The senate provision that the
flexible tariff should remain in ep-
Grafton only until July ]. 1924. was
stricken out OF the bill and the
so-called scientific tariff provision,
nroyiding for investigation and re-
ports by the tariff commission. as
we'll as those designed to prevent
discrimination against American
commerce and trade were retained.
The conferees also approved re-
taliatory provisions. IL some cases
aimed principally against Canada,
and affecting Portland cement,
common house brick, bisuminous
and anthracite coal. al of which
are on the free list. and automo-
biles. motorcycles and bicycles.
In compromising between the
senate raw wool rate Of 33 cents a
secured pound and the house duty
of 25 cents the conferees agreed
uron 81 cents.
Long staple cotton. which the
senate had proposed to take at I.
cents pound and which is taxed
under the existing emergency act,
was sent hack to the free list. In
consequence the 10 cents a pound
compensatory duty proposed on
the finer cotton cloths. made from
long staple cotton, was eliminated.
Senate Rates accepted
Senate rates on cotton ciotn
were accepted generally with the
senate provision that in no case
could the duty on such cloth eS-
ceed Per cent. Also the senate
provision limiting the duty on cot
ton gloves to a maximum OF %
per cent. was.accepted but with
the addition OF minimum lln'lta-
non of 80 per cent. Senate duties
on hose and half hose ranging from
80 per cent TO 50 per cent. were
approved as was the duty OF %
per cent. on knit cotton underwear
and all other knit wearing apparel
The duty on silk cloth was fixed
at a per cent. the senate rate.