The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-12-23
Wilson Not Expected
To Give Approval 10
All Tariff Measures
By DAVID LAWRENCE
Copyright by Tho .nteliig"nCer)

Washington Doc 22.--Thc days Of the
'pop-gun" tariff bill are here again. but
this time the Republicans instead OF the
Democrats are planning 20 lombard the
White House with tartH measures they
know cannot possibly Ect executive ap-
proval.
UnQueStiOnably 'hrrs Is a ciamor for
tar!n revision. and Il comes from scat
tered sections Of the country where
economic theory and economic fact are
at odds and the producers feel that a
tariff will help them against foreign
competition. But the Republican partH
which controls both houses of congress
has always been the party OF tarfT pro-
answer the demand for tartn legislation
BY simply saving President Wilson
would not permit tartn proposals 10 be-
come law. SO the Republicans have
about decided 20 square themselves with
their constituents. and demonstrate that
the White House = the real obstacle
after all
Some OF the tariff measures being pro-
posed have hceR so hastily conceived
that IL President Wilson did sign som"
OF them. there would be = shock on
Capitol hill tha; would he heard round
the country. For the Republicans
frankly do not expect Mr.. Wilson 10
sign protectionist measures any more
than the Democrats expected Mr.. Taft
to approve them IN the fail Of 1911
when tho Democrats had obtained pos
"pop-gun" tariff bills AZ Mr.. Taft with
tariff duties reduced 10 some unwork-
able minimumS. Indeed. II Is interest
ing to recall that when the Democrats
obtained full possession III 1917 OF. all
branches Of the government including
the executive. they didn't offer the same
set OF tari6 bills upon which they had
forced Mr.. Tafts veto. but an entirely
new set. much moro carefully Cnnstd-
cred and carrying = higher scale Of
duties
No Lobbyists on the Job.
Another interesting stdelight on the
situation is that the people who really
have sponsored most ii the protective
measures in recent years do not regard
the present tarif discussion seriously.
Their lobbyists aren't ,ren ON the job.
The truth is the Republicans had y gen
eral understanding that nothing would
be attempted IN the present session OF
congress and notification To- that effect
was conveyed In all tho interests at
fected. However. the farmers came 10
Washington. and through their numcr-
Gus organizations. started the present
tarin agitation In the hope that some
thing immediate might hc done 70 cure
the financial crisis in the agricultural
world. Manufacturing interests OF the
East are S4pt q bit pleased over the in
vasion bSlhe farmers and secretly hope
the whole~t ~tarih effort will be blocked at
this session OF congress.
10, Is pointed out. for instance. by
manufacturers who don't want the kind
Of tariff proposed that the farmers arc
Inconsistent in demanding the revival!
of .he war finance corporation IL tnance
the export OF farm products while at the
same time, they would impose tarin
amounting TO an embargo on the impor-
tation OF farm products. IL IS insisted
that by reciprocity alone can foreign
trade be stimulated. and that the rates
of exchange wilt not improve until
America manifests more of a Sirc-and-
take spirit in making tarift duties.
Reciprocal Trade.
Tho whole question OF reciprocal
trade measures is expected to be re-
trade conditions. Otherwise the foreign
countries, IL Is suggested Will impose
retaliatory tariffs and America will not
be able TO sell abroad in free competi-
ton with other countries which do not
impose high tariffs.
Moreover new alignment may be
looked for when the Eor6ncY tariff bill
just reporte din the house OF represent
atives gets over 10 me senate Instead
OF finding a natural Democratic and Re-
publican division the prospects arc !hat
the Eastern Republicans representing
large manufacturing and banking COM
munities. will have different view
point from that Of the agricultural West
and South. There is no certainty that
any tariff measure could be passed In
the present senate where the Republican
majority Is slender. but coantion OF
West and South such as passed the re-
cent resolution reviving the war finance
corporation IS OF course possible. But
the Southern senator's are divided on the
tariff suestion. and the Fordney measure
may remain the pop-Eun effort OF only
one house instead OF congress as -
whole. In any event the public can rest
assured that nothing vital on the sub
ject OF tariff revision will be done until
& special session OF congress is con-
veRcd by President-elect Harding.