Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-13

cratic lines in the Senate held almost
intact In the farm-Felief contest. per-
nitting successful coalition with the
Republican independents. Another
such combination on the tariff would
mean a sharp revision of the House
measure. Whether 1t Will come is still
prohlematical.
The Democrats have given assurance
to the Republican majority forces head
ed by Senator Watson that they will
lend their support to the administration
to dispose Of the tariff. If posi-
bic. at this extra session. They have
declared they do not intend to obstruct,
but they have given notice that they
want plenty Of time for revision Of the
tariff blu on the Senate floor. They in
tend to press for their own tariff pro-
gram when the bill is framed.
There is a clear possibility that the
tariff contest may carry over into the
regular session beginning in December
and thus almost into the days of eien-
NAL congressional compaigns beginning
next Spring.
Rorah Warns Watson.
Senator Borah gave notice yesterday
to Senator Watson that any attempt at
general tariff revision viii not permit
of a settlement before the regular ses-
sion opens in December. Watson
agreed It would be difficult and for that
reason he urged that every considera-
ton be given to disposing Of the ques-
tom
Borah countered with the proposal
to confine the tariff revision to the
agricultural schedules, and when Wat
son would not assent to this, the
Idahoan disguStedly suggested that
Congress quit its work.
Six witnesses appeared before the
finance committee yesterday and di-
vided on the question Of valuation as
a basis for assessing ad valorem duties.
Today two subcommittee began TAX
ing testimony on the tobacco and paper
schedules.
William Burgess Of Trenton, N. J.,
a former member Of the Tariff Commits
sion, favored adoption Of the United
States value basis instead Of the for
efan value, now used, declaring the
present system permitted wholesale eva
sion of duties through differentiation
of imported goods by foreign producers
Customs Difficulties Cited.
He said fnsurmountable difficulties
confronted customs officials In obtain
ing foreign values and that attempts TO
obtain them had engendered Ill feeling
abroad against the United States. He
added that he had barely escaped
prison" himself during visit to Ger
many many years ago to obtain costs
of production of China wares.
The United States value advocated
by Burgess IS allowed now as an alter
native method in event foreign and ex-
port values are not ascertainable.
John G. Lerch, representing the
American Tariff League, New York City.
and Horace B. Cheney of the SILK As
ISOLATION of America, Manchester, Conn,
also favored the United States valua-
ton method, while J. w. Bavans and
Otto Fix of the National Council Of
Importers and Traders opposed it.
Lefch declared few ad valoren1 duties
would have to be changed downward
because of the adoption of the higher
domestic value. Senator Reed, Repub-
lican, of Pennsylvania. said he was
attracted by the plan, but warned there
was little chance of its adoption If 1t
was merely a disguised effort to OBJ
tain sweeping increases in rates"
Bevans declared use Of any form
Of domestic valuation would present
"majo difficulties while Fix conten6ed
the United States value system would
force every established importing house
in this country out of business and
result in purchasing only from agents
Of foreign exporters.