The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-07-09
RFPIIRI ICANS NOT STANDING PAT;
INDIFFERENCE ON THE TARIFF ISSUE

Washington. July S-The present
tarIn debate does not have the atmos-
rherc IF former ones 1t lags and there
| Is l!ltla interest IN II. II has the air OF
| unrcality. There Is no such formal I'M
| ing up II forces and no such dramatic
| tcnscncss OF contest as were associated
! with previous debates.
| For all this there are several reasons
| Congressman Fordney Of Michigan. VINO
| IS chairman OF the Ways and Means
! committee. and who in that capacity mas
! formal leadership Of the debate IN 1aFoF
| OF the bill, has no such authority over
! the members OF his party as Iayne mao
when the Payne bill was passed. or IN,
| derwoOd had when the bill was passeu
/ that bore his name: Rebellion asa'hss
| CONGRESSMAN Fordney on the part OF
| members of his own party IS more easy
| than against any previous leader Oh Il
tariff hight
| Not only IS there rebellion on the part
OF Republican congressman. who arc
( frankly Insurgent. hut there IS lack VI
! submission 10 discipline on the part al
I many standpat Republicans Of the type
/ vino in forr.cr tariff fights regarded IL
: az their first duty 10 stand compact!
| with their leader.
Issue Not Clear.
| Even those strong and able Repuhh-
cans who believe America has more nee"
! for protection in the chaotic future th"a
/ ever before arc by no means certain ina
the present bill fulIils ali that is nee"co'
| The changes wrought by the war IN the
! currents Of international trade are not
vet wholly clear. and II IS not possible
Vet to sec either from what countries
rur mos, formidable competition VIII
| come. nor IN what commodities II Will
be
More fundamentally, America has not
vet made Its decision aS 10 "Nr'"'' VI
: no, { wants to continue 70 be Il src1i'
! creditor nation. Many or the icaucFS a''
! uncertain whether II IS best Tor A'''e''1
| TO be a great importing nation or great
exporting natlo".
Ont of all these doubts arises & state
! of mind which breeds indifference" 10 inc
! rrcsent tariff debate IN the house. Inc
| feeling Is tina, the bill will not become
a law Tor six or eight months anyhow
: that il will be materially changed IN
: the senate: and that in the meantime
| enough progress may have been mace IN
| our new international relations 10 kno"
| more certainly what we need N the wa!
! Of a tariff.
| As to Taxation.
! co marked is this lack OF strong con-
| y,ct!on with regard 70 the tariH mat IL
| would not be surprising II tho tarin Dill
! we're allowed TO lag and taxation inea-
| surcs nut ahead of il. 1t - much more
! easy 10 be certain or what we neco III
| the way Of taxation. Congress KNOWS
! from Secretary Mellon what We need IN
, the way of revenue. But congress mas
| no, shown the COURAGEOUS leadership
; necessary to make progress WIN 'his
necessarily unpopular subject.
| The most courageous act OF leadership
that has appeared in Washington re-
,.ri!, did not develop in congress. out
cam, from the administration. " men
] Secretary Mellon announced that the
! naSs,t-c e the soldier bonus bill wouIo
nut 4 greater burden on the treasury
! ,bnn II IAN We. bear. It was and Is taken
rompletciy for granted that he acted
with the knowledge and approVai OF
President Harding. In this act fresl-
dent Harding and the members or MS
administration have shown a Wiling
ness TO accept responsibility OF what -
unpopular but inevitable.
Tho unwilnrrncsS on tho part OF con-
gross :. do nc same thing accounts Cor
,be ,ro.r.s,:mAtinn about taxation. The
contrast between Republican leadership
in the White House and Republican
leadership in congress IS vivid.
Her Husband-Why don't you make
cottage pudding once in a while;