Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-09

Tariff Threats.

agitating this country and Congress,
has turned up as subject of discussion
at the fifth general congress OF the
International Chamber of Commerce
meeting in Amsterdam. Alberto Pierel-
Ii of italy, president Of the organiza-
ton, at its opening session said:
although we cannot deal here with
the tariff policies of particular states,
as that is a matter of national sover-
eighty, we cannot ignore the fact that
the effect of measures taken will be pro-
portionate to the Importance or the
countries that take them, and Tor inns
reason the attitude of the great indus
trial countries, and therefore OF tne
United States of America, deserves our
special attention"
No one questions the fact that the
president of the International Chamber
of Commerce had in mind the tariff re-
vision which is now under way in the
United States and the fact that the re-
vision has, in the House bill, been
general revision upward. At the same
time, few, if any, believe that the
United States is to abandon the princi-
pie of the protective tariff for its in
dustries at this stage Of the economic
development of the country. Doubtless
European nations, with their much
cheaper labor, would be glad of the
opportunity to ship their manufactured
products into the United States free OF
duty, or with a duty so small as to
make competition with their goods by
Americans impossible. Threats Of re-
prisal. if they should be made by any
foreign nations, will not have the re-
suit of compelling the United States to
lower its tariff to a point where such
ruinous competition would be possible.
There is one factor in the situation to
which the Europeans may well give con-
sideration. The domestic market in
America is far more important to
American producers than is the market
in any other country, generally speak
ing. And the Americans intend, if pos
sible, to preserve to their own producers
that domestic market within certain
limits.
The great value of international trade
to this country and to other nations
is not denied by President Hoover or
by Americans as whole. 1t has be-
come enormous in this country, with
exports and imports running into the
billions of dollars in value each year.
It is folly to believe that foreign ma
tions can continue to buy forever from
the United States without being able to
sell to this country. But it is quite
apparent that the protective tariff wall
is not preventing the importation OF
goods from foreign nations into Amer
lea. Goods in great quantity that can
not be produced here, or produced as
economically, are imported. Goods that
run In direct competition with products
of American mills and American farms
also are coming in in large quantities
despite the tariff duties.
The International Chamber of Com
merce Is body of business men repre-
senting practically all the nations. 1t
does not represent governments. The
delegates of the United States are at
tending its Congress. The chamber
cannot commit its governments to
policy of antagonism to the United
States, although it might arouse public
sentiment in other countries II 1T I'M
dertook to do so. 1t is quite clear, how
ever, that a combination of European
nations formed to attack the tariff
duties imposed by the United States
and to "retaliate" because Of those duties
may 60 far to arouse antagonism IN
this country. It is within the power
of the United States Congress to deal
summarily with nations entering into
such a compact by denying them adj
mission of goods altogether, although
such q step would be taken only with
the greatest regret.
The pending tariff bill has aroused
European nations and some of the
American nations because OF increased
duties on certain articles. But that Is
notra new situation. The establishment
OF protective tariffs by this country has
always been criticized by other nations,
which desire to increase their exports
to- this country in competition with
American made goods. The bill also
has aroused many Americans-part OF
them because they are politicians and
part of them because they are con-
sumers. All Americans are consumers
as well as producers. There is limit
beyond which the tariff wall may i'm
pose decided hardships on the consuming
pubic President Hoover has demanded
a limited revision" of the tariff. The
fight now in this country and in Con-
gress, irrespective of the attitude Of
foreign nations and competitors, Is tc
keep the bill within the limits proposed
by the President.