Fiddle-Free

The foolish lengths to which high-tariff advocates will go to protect home industry were demonstrated last week in a case involving imported violins. The Tariff Commission sent President Eisenhower a recommendation to treble the tariff on instruments valued by the foreign manufacturer at $25 or less. The proposed new rate: 52 1/2 % ad valorem and $1.87 1/2 each v. the current 17 1/2 % plus 62 1/2 each. Fiddle-faddle, said the President, vetoing the boost. He noted that violins and violas of this type are made by only one U.S. manufacturer, Jackson-Guldan of Columbus, Ohio, which employs 30 production workers. To protect them, the Tariff Commission was willing to stir up West Germany, France and Italy, which supply most of the low-and medium-priced violins bought in the U.S.

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