Greenbelt cooperator. (Greenbelt, Md.) 1937-1954, 1940-02-08
Volume 4. No. q
State Trade Barriers

State Trade Barriers
With the start of vacation tricks in the coming
spring months some Greenbelters will again become
of state barriers to trade and travel which
becoming irritating and burdensome to
national life each year.
only few of the restrictions are readily
apparent-nainly those in the western states. En-
trance Of tourists into Cali fornia Is
plicated from neighboring states than is entrance
into Canada foreign country. Sanitary 1nspec-
ton from plants, ban citrus fruit grown outside
of the state, ports of entry and comp1 sorry regis
tration Of all visitors crossing the state line,
place ifornia the top of those states which
are "Balkanizing" our country.
Few Maryland residents realize that our own state
already has five laws viii oh interfere wi tn inter-
state commerce and travel. As check the mount
ing tide of restrictions in state must be
able to recognize and identity the most bar
rers practiced by these 4s states against each
other. Here is partial list:
piled largely In dairy states to protect this in
dustry from competition. Effect-"Protect ionn
which amounts to subsidy for inefficient producers
dairy products; higher prices for butter and
butter substi tutes.
2. Chain store taxes. Prpose--to protect in
divtdual1y owned retail stores the competition
of chain stores. Effect-higher prices to consu--
ers at both chain and independent stores.
,. Use taxes. Pmpose-to plug loopholes in
outside the state. Effect-higher prices and the
erection of import tariffs between states. If the
trend continues we a11 need reciprocal trade
agreement program at home we'll abroad.
L. Plant and animal quarantines. Rlrpose-to
prevent the spread of injurious pests diseases.
Effects-bcnen cia1 insofar the guarantees are
applied solely for this purpose. Unfortunately
recent guarantees applied with little bio
logical basis, for the purpose of aiding of
local states produce. This may result In goods of
poorer quality and higher price.
5. Restrictions prison-nade goods. Purpose
to maintain industries and scales which could
not compete wit goods produced by convict labor.
Effect-the purpose is sound except where only "out-
of-state" prison-made goods restricted.
3. Control of alcoholic beverages. Purpose-to
allow each state to devise its control system.
Effectsome fine results have emerged from certain
state experiments, in particular the low prices and
high state of the state of Washington Liquor
monopoly. In few states discriminate against
"out-of-state" liquors by increased restric-
tions, adversely affecting both the cost and the
quality of product by this subsidization of
dustry.
z. Sanitary inspection laws. Purpose-to pre-
vent the of impure dairy products, meats, or
other goods. Effect-consmer protection when the
stated purpose is to bar "out-of-state" goods in
spection becomes racket ~ cent milk In the WASH
ington area).
8. Public purchasing Laws. Rrpose-to grant
preference to home producers in the purchase of sup
economically located and managed businesses the
expense of more efficient concerns, and higher
taxes.
9. Automobile inspection. Rurpose-usually
stated as prevention of stolen transportation.
Effect-varies from state to state. Arizona jots
down the license number, asks to the drivers
license, and offers in return sti cker and road
map. Getting into California offers enough di fiji
culties, the other hand, to effectively
list trade If the restrictions maintained.
10. Trucking requirements. Purpose-variously
stated as for raising revenue, for insring hi gMay
safety, and for prevention of damage to ways and
bridges. Effect-improvenent in trucking facili-
ties in few states, in most states crazy hodge
podge which forces Interstate trucks to carry a
lights of assorted scopes, sizes, and colors, and
which in the end force up prices. THERE'S