Evening star., 1927-09-16
i. s. TARIFF SURVEY
! CAUSES PROTESTS
Activities of American Agents
Start Objections by France,
Aruentina and Switzerland.
BY the Associated Press.

by tn6 asSOCldteu IIess.
Argentina is by no means the onl,
country which has objected to repre-
sentatives of the American tariff com
mission seeking production costs from
manufacturers and producers abroad
in an effort TO carry into effect the
flexible provisions of the Fordney-Mc
Cumber tariff act.
France was the first, the govern
ment of that country taking the posi-
ton that II would not ask its owr
producers for permission to examine
their books. and so could not ask them
TO extend that privilege to the repre-
sentatives Of another country.
Swiss Also Protest.
Producers in Switzerland also pro
tested against tariff commission rep
resentatives being permitted to exam
inc their books, although the commits
sion was able TO obtain satisfactory
figures as to the costs of producing
Swiss cheese and some other COM
modities, the import rates on which
came under investigation by the COM
mission.
Chairman Marvin also disclosed to-
day that difficulties were experienced
in Italy, but that these finally had
been removed after six months of eff
fort. Producers of certain commodi'
ties in Great Britain also declined to
open their books to American repre-
SentatiVeS.
Because of the efforts of the State
Department to negotiate a commercial
treaty with Spain. no effort has been
made by the commission to obtain
oil &c
conducting an investigation into the
costs of producing onions in that
country.
Germans Have Co-operated.
Mr.. Marvin also disclosed that Ger
many, at the products of which many
of the rates in the Fordney- -McCumber
law were specifically aimed, had af-
forded a greater measure of co-opera-
ton than any other country. 1t was
explained that they had appreciated
the force of the argument that it was
best for Congress and the President
to have exact information rather than
estimates upon which to base rates.
While the flexible provision of the
FordneyMcCumher law directs the
commission to obtain costs of produc-
tion abroad as basis for the lowering
or raising of tariff rates, in some
cases where those figures could not
. be obtained the invoice prices on COM
modities when delivered in this coun-
try were used and became the basis
for presidential action.
Some members of the commission
take the view that the use Of invoice
prices is contrary to law, but Chair
rnan Marvin and some others hold to
the contrary. Thus far no importers
have carried that question into the
courts for final adjudication.
Commission Divided.
Besides being divided on that propo-
sition, the commission Is divided on
the question of whether there should
be flexible triff. as it has been ever
since that departure in tariff legisla-
tion was first proposed by President
Harding in 1921. Some members
hold that the commission should be
solely an inquisitorial body. making
its reports to Congress, which has
the constitutional power to change
rates at will.
Whether Congress has authority to
delegate to the President the power
to raise or lower rates was ques-
toned when the Fordney-McCumber
bill was before Congress. and 1t may
be agitated again at the coming ses-
sion.