Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-08

ways will be, a storm of con-
flicting opinion about any tariff
revision. We cannot go far
wrong when we base our tariffs
on the policy of preserving the
productive activities which en-
nance employment and add to
our national prosperity.
Tariff Policy Stressed
Again comes the reminder that
we must not be unmindful of
world conditions, that peoples
are struggling for industrial re-
Mobilization and that we cannot
dwell in industrial and CONNER
cial exclusion and at the same
time do the just thing in aiding
world reconstruction and read
justment We do not seek a
selfish aloofness and we could
not profit by it, were it possible.
We recognize the necessity in
it's acceptable exchanges. In
our pursuit of markets we must
give as we'll as receive.
We cannot sell to others who
do not produce, nor can we buy
unless we produce at home.
Sensible of every obligation Of
humanity, commerce and IL
nance, linked as they are in the
present world condition, it is not
to be argued that we need de-
stroy ourselves to be helpful to
others. With all my heart 1
wish restoration to the peoples
blighted by the awful World
war, but the process of restora-
ton does not lie in our accept
ance of like conditions. 1t were
better to remain on firm ground,
strive for ample employment
and high standards of wage at
nome, and point the way to bal
anced budgets, rigid economies
and resolute, efficient work as
the necessary remedies to cure
disaster.
Everything relating to trade,
among ourselves and among ma
tions, has been expanded, and
there is a madness in finance
which no American policy alone
will cure. We are a creditor ma
ton, not by normal processes
but made so by war. 1t is not
an unworthy selfishness to seek
to save ourselves when the proc
esses of that salvation are not
only not denied to others, but
conceded to them. We seek to
undermine for others no indus
try by which they subsist: We are
obligated to permit the under
mining of none of our own
which make for employment and
maintained activities.
Necessity of Revision
Every contemplation, it little
matters in which direction one
turns magnif1es the difficulty Of
tariff legislation, but the necesSi-
ty of the revision is magnified
with it. Doubtless we are justi-
fed in seeking more flexible
policy than we have provided
heretofore. 1 hope way will
be found to make for flexibility
and elasticity, so that rates may
be adjusted to meet unusual and
changing conditions which can
not be accurately anticipated.
There are problems incident to
unfair practices and to eX-
changes which madness in mon
ey have made almost unsolvable.
I know of no manner in which
TO effect this f1eXihllity other than
the extension of the powers Of
the tariff commission so that it
can adapt itself to a scientific
and wholly just administration
of the law.
am not unmlndful of the con-
stitutional difficulties. These
can be met by giving authority
to the chief executive who could
proclaim additional duties to
meet conditions, which the con-
greSs may designate.
At this point L must disavow
any desire to- enlarge the eXecu-
tiye's powers or add to the re-
sponsibilities of the office. They
are already too large. If there
were any other plan would pre-.
fer it.
The grant of authority to pro-
claim would necessarily bring
the tariff commission into new
and large activities, because no
executive could discharge such
a duty except upon the infOrma-
ton acquired and recommended
tons made by this commission.
But the plan is feasible and the
proper functioning of the board
would give us a better admins
tration of a defined policy than
ever can be made possible by
tntoiG FaxriJi1i+1-
There is a manifest difference
of opinion about the merits OF
American valuation. Many ma
lions have adopted delivery val
uation as the basis for collecting
duties; that is, they take the cost
OF the imports delivered at the
port of entry as the basis for
levying duty. It is no radical de-
parture, in view of varying con-
ditions and the disordered state
of money values, to provide for
American valuation, but there
cannot be ignored the danger of
such a valuation, brought to the
level of our own production
costs, making our tariffs prohib-
tive. It might do so in many
instances where imports ought
to be encouraged. [ believe con-
gress ought well consider the de-
STABILITY of the only promising
alternative, namely, a provision
authorizing proclaimed American
valuation, under prescribed con-
ditions, on any given list of arti-
Giles imported.
In this proposed fexibility au-
thorizing increases to meet con-
ditions so likely to change, there
should also be provision for de-
.creases. A decision may BE- just
today and entirely out of date
here six months from today. If
out tariffs are to be made equi-
table and not necessarily burden
our efforts and hinder ou- trade
abroad, frequent adjustment will
ho nlnacSorU or wears tn