Eventually, unions came to have great power over the operations and tariffs charged.

The 1927 version tells the wacky, comic story of a wealthy cheese manufacturer who finances a war against Switzerland over restrictive tariffs.

In the most recent case, the European Union is suing the United States over new tariffs of up to 30 percent on imported steel.

The action was a culmination of a confrontation between Americans and the townspeople over tariffs and control of transit routes.

And the Ways and Means Committee, with sweeping jurisdiction over tariffs and trade for more than 200 years, is at the center of it.

More is at stake than just a decision over tariffs, or even the fate of the steel industry.

Sixty years ago, the battles were over tariffs.

Then there were the continuing problems with Washington over sterling convertibility, Imperial Preference and tariffs.

Even within the Prussian state itself there were at the beginning of the 19th century over 67 local customs and tariffs with as many customs borders.

During this time debate over tariffs and free trade in grain was fierce.