The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-12-13
BLOCS UPSET
PARTY WORK
ON TARIFF BILL
Familiar Stands of Party
Work Cannot Be Followed
Congress Disapproves
Creation of Commission.
MAKING NOT RELISHED
PALLADIUM NEWS BUREAU


WASHINGTON. Dec. 13-The SEN
scheduled 10 begin some time next
month, is not being looked forward to
with any degree of relish by the ma
jority leaders
Familiar STANDARDS of party proceed
ure in the handling of such legislation
cannot be followed because the crea-
ton of the bloc" system in the up
per house has made such methods
obsolete. The agricultural bloc" for
instance. will not be bound by any
party ties in the framing of the tariff.
The members of that group, COM
prising both Republicans and Demo
Gratis, will accept the discipline of
their respective parties only when
such action does not threaten the in
terests of their favored constituency.
Any experienced legislator will testify
how difficult it is to frame policy leg
islation when party discipline cannot
be maintained.
Since President Harding delivered
his annual message to congress, last
week, speculation has been rife as to
the attitude both the senate and the
house would assume to his suggestion
that more flexible" tariff policy be
provided. He advised that the tariff
commission be clothed with the au-
thority to fluctuate tariff duties as
changing trade conditions warranted,
with the approval of the president.
As the tariff bill emerged from the
house last July and went to the senate
it retained the old system of iron-clad
rates which could be changed only by
congressional amendment
Would Give Board Power.
If the presidents suggestion is car
ried out, and American industry gen
orally speaking, has indicated its ap-
proval of the proposed reform, the
tariff board would cease to be a mere
advisory body. 1t would have new
and enlarged activities as the presi-
dent pointed out He further stated:
The plan is feasible, and the proper
functioning of the board would give us
a better administration of a defined
policy than ever can be made possible
by tariff duties prescribed without
flexibility." ---.a--a
But congressional opposition to the
creation of tariff commission which
has authority to raise or lower tariff
duties as conditions demand, without
congressional authority, is traditional.
II Represents d uSui pdllOA vi tOhSl So~
sional privileges. and congress is as
Jealous as a vixen of its privileges.
II has been frequently said, right
fully or wrongly, that the only differ
ence between the two major political
parties is their attitude toward the
tariff question; that if the tariff ques
tion was removed from politics the
two old parties would be deprived Of
their only campaign issue.
Would Face Gauntlet.
If the present congress runs true
to the form of it's many predecessors
it will not take kindly to the presi
dents suggestion for the creation OF
a flexible tariff policy. The plaT
would have to run the gauntlet OF
both houses before adoption, because
as stated, it was not provided in the
bill as it was passed by the lower
house.
The majority of the leaders hope tC
have the tariff bill through the sen
ate by next May, but they have as
vet ventured no pediction as to wheth
er the new act will provide for ;
real tariff commission.