The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-10-10
HOUSE LEADER
AGAINST Change
Underwood Opposes Amend
ing Shipping Feature of
Tariff Bill.
SATISFIED WITH MEASURE
Attorney General to Pass Upon Cues
lion of Discriminatory
Duties.
SATISFIED WITH MEASURE

Representative Oscar w. Underwood
Democratic leader of the House, returned
to Washington yesterday considerably
nettled at the suggestion that admins
tration officials are proposing the repeal
of the clause in the new tariff law which
grants a per cent reduction in duty on
goods imported in American vessels.
Mr.. Underwood is opposed to any
tinkering with the tariff law, and It was
apparent after his arrival that the ad.
minlstration is likely to have trouble II
1t attempts to insist upon a repeaLaf this
[ -scriminatory clause.
On the other hand, the Administration
is facing most embarrassing develop
ments in its relation with foreign govern
ments, many of which already have
served notice of their intention to re-
taliate If the United States government
CONSTITUTES the law in such a way as to
operate against rights guaranteed to
them under treaties.
Statement of Underwood.
This was what Representative Under
wood had to say on the subject:
Il am satisfied with the tariff law as
1t stands If the President desires a re-
peal of the provision relating to the .
per cent. discriminating duty in favor
OF American ships l think he should send
us message informing us of the fact
In that case 1 shall call meeting of the
Ways and Means Committee and institute
hearings at which the question will be
fully considered. However. / see no
necessity for any change in the law
Mr.. Underwood thus puts it up directly
TO President Wilson, and the President
will not act until he has received a for
NAL opinion from the Attorney General
as to the construction to be put upon
the law.
Several of the House leaders were ir-
ritated over the suggestion that the pro-
vision must be repealed They felt that
II looked too much like acknowledging a
blunder. Also, many of them expressed
fear that the introduction of such an
amendment in Congress would again
open up many of the hOtly contested
points in the tariff law. There will be
difficulty in preventing members of Con-
gress who were dissatisfied with some
OF the features of the tariff bill from
proposing riders to the administration
amendment. and many of the old cues,
tons probably would have TO be thrashed
over again.
Furthermore some OF the Democrats
in the House were inclined to be re-
Stlii vi over lne disposition OF Officers
of the State Department to suggest the
necessity of a repeal They insisted
that IL was the duty of the executive
departments TO administer the law as
Congress passed it. and not to suggest
repeal.
Reduction Is Required.
Officials of the Treasury and State
Departments are agreed that the law
as II stands requires the granting of a
per cent reduction, not only to goods
shipped in American bottoms. but To
goods brought in this country in the
vessels Of all nations with which the
United States has treaties guaranteeing
them against discriminatory duties
Leaders in the House who were instru-
mental in inserting the provision in the
bill, insist that this construction is not
necessary and that in cases where
treaty rights would be violated the re-
duction should not apply even on goods
shipped in American vessels.
1t will remain for the Attorney General
to give the final opinion, and if it sup
ports the views held by the State and
Treasury Departments, the President un-
dOubtedly will be obliged to send a spe-
cial message to Congress. or else accept
a loss of about $1,000 900 in revenues. II
the House construction prevails. this gov
eminent is certain TO be confronted with
the danger of severe tariff reprisaIs so