The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-06-08
TARIFF MEASURE
DISRUPTS PARTY
Republican Leaders Divide In Caucus.
Young Takos Lead.

Washington, June 5.-Those high
priests of protection who constitute
the majority Of the ways and means
committee of the house Of representa-
tives. and especially two Of them,
Chairman Fordney and Representative
Longworth, have been repudiated in
their advocacy Of pet scheme by the
Republican party in the house.
And the new Richmond In the field
is Representative George M. Young
Of North Dakota. 1t was he who de-
feated Longworth and Fordney and
those members OF the committee who
are wont to do what they are told by
Fordney and Iongworth to do.
1t was reported that the Republican
caucus, which met for the purpose Of
indorsing the Lomgwor$h resolution
making effective the rates Of the
permanent tariff bill on tho date Of
the introduction Of that bill, was un-
able to reach an agreement. 1t was
not reported, however, that the caucus
read the riot act to Fordney and Long
worth and told them, to all practical
purposes. that they would not tolerate
the attempt Of the committee to run
the entire congress. And nothing was
reported Of the storm that ragged
and the echoes OF which still reverb
crate
Mr.. Longworth, as is recalled, in
troduced resolution making effec-
tive the tariff bill before it was en-
acted. Representative Garner of
Texas, Democrat, declared the bill to
represent sovietism run wild. Scna-
tor Robinson OF Arkansas said 1t pro-
posed TO do an unheard Of thing, con-
trary to all custom and law" Repub
leans, non-members OF the ways and
means committee. shook their heads
and wondered to what the country
would eventually come.
But the Republican majority OF the
ways and means committee indorsed
the resolution OF Longworth and de-
clded TO make the Republicans, in a
caucus, bind themselves to s,Ipport #
Ihcre was one dissenting member Of
'he ways and means committee. Ho
was Representative Young.
That man carried the fight against
l-ongworth to the caucus. He won
mat fight. His argument was in five
parts, as follows:
'Flrst. II passed, would it have
the force Of law The decisions Of
the supreme court are unit on the
proposition that congress can not
delegate legislative authority. Is the
preparations Of tariff bill, contain
ing hundreds Of items OF customs tlu
ties together with other provisions
In respect thereto. legislative or
an administrative function? The
question Is easily to be answered.
second. Ought it to pass? The
member Of congress who Is willing
at this time, 20 days before he can
know anything about the rates OF duty
which the permanent tariff bill will
contain. who will agree to give
such rates The force OF law as soon
as reported to the house must have
faith In the ways and means com
mittee nothing short Of sublime! Are
you quite sure the rates, when you
learn what they are. will be such
final passage Of the bill?
Third. Will it pass? Granting for
argument that the house would pass
the longworth resolution, what would
the senate do with or to it VIII the
senate finance committee witness n
general tariff bill becoming law with
out receiving its consideration? viii
the senate abdicatc? If not, why
waste time OF the house?
Fourth. VIII the president, taking
into account not only economic con-
siderations, but possible complications
woth foreign countries, tie his own
hands?
Fifth. The 2efense OF the rcsolu-
ton that Great Britain, her colonies
and France have already taken SINH
lar action, should be received with
grain OF salt. These countries a di-
rectly responsible government which
can hold office only at the pleasure Of
the popularity elected branch OF the
legislature and can be voted out OF
office promptly If they report customs
rates which are unsatisfactory"
The Longworth resolution is re-
membered as an attempted departure