The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-07
HARDING URGES MUCH NEW LEGISLATION in ADDRESS TO CONG

the permanency of trade lies In its
acceptable exchanges. In our pur.
SUIT of markets we must give as
we'll as receive. We cannot sell to
others who do not produce, nor oan
we buy unless we produce at home:
Sensible of every obligation or
humanity, commerce and nnance,
linked as they are in the present
world condition, II Is not to be
argued that we need destroy our
selves TO be helpful to Others with
ali NV heart 1 wish restoration IN
the people blighted by the awful
world war. but the process OF res
toration does not lie In our ac-
ceptance 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 balanced
budgets, rigid economies and resc-
lutte, efficient work as the necessary
remedies to cure disaster
Everything relating to trade,
among ourselves and among ma.
lions, has been expanded. excessive.
inflated, abnormal. and there Is a
madness in finance which no Ameri-
can policy alone will cure. We are
a creditor nation, not by normal
processes, but made so by war. IL
Is not an unworthy self1shness 10
seek to save ourselves when the
processes of that salvation are not
only not denied to others but COM
mended to them. We seek to UNI
dermine for others no Industry by
which they subsist; we are obli-
gated to permit the undermining of
none of our own which make for
employment and maintained activi-
ties.
Every contemplation. it little
matters in which direction one
turns. mag ifies the difficulty Of
tariff legislation, but the necessity
of the revision is magnified with
1t. Doubtless we are justified In
seeking a more flexible policy than
we have provided heretofore. I
hope a way will be found to make
for flexibility and elasticity. so that
rates may be adjusted to meet I'M
usual and changing conditions
which cannot be accurately antici-
pated. There are problems incident
to unfair practices, and to ex-
changes which madness in money
have made almost unsolvable. I
know Of no manner other than the
extension of She powers of the
Tariff Commission. so that il can
adapt itself to a scientific and
wholly just administration of the
law.
Thinks Plan Feasible.
am not unmindful of the consti-
tutional difficulties. These can be
met by giving authority to the
Chief Executive. who could pro-
claim additional duties to meet
conditions which the Congress may
designate.
At this point 7 must disavow airy
desire to enlarge the Executives
powers or add to the responsible
ties of the office. They are already
too large. If there were any other
plan l would prefer It
The grant OF authority to pro-
claim would necessarily bring the
Tariff Commission into new and en-
larged activities. because no exec
utive could discharge such a duty
except upon the information &C
quired and recommendations made
by this commission. But the plan
is feasible. and the proper func-
tioning of the board would give US
a better administration of a defined
policy than ever can be made poss,-
BILE by tariff duties prescribed with
out flexibility.
Difference on Valuation.
There is a manifest difference OF
opinion about the merits of Ameri-
can valuation. Many nations have
adopted delivery valuation as the
basis for collecting duties; that is
they take the cost of the imports
delivered at the port of entry as the
basis of levying duty. 1t is no radi-
cal departure. in view of varying
conditions and the disordered state
of money values, to provide fol-
American valuation, but there can.
not be ignored the danger of such
a valuation, brought to the level OF
our own production costs, making
our tariffs prohibitive 1t might dc
SO in many instances where imports
ought to be encouraged. 1 believe
Congress ought well consider tn,
desirability of the only promising
alternative. namely, a provision au,
thorizing proclaimed American val
uatiOn. under prescribed conditions
on any given list of articles i'm.
ported.
In this proposed fexibility, au
thorizing increases to meet condi
lions SO likely to change, Their,
should also be provision for de
creases. A rate may be just toda!
and entirely out of proportion 81,
months from today. If our tariff.
are to be made equitable, and no
necessarily burden our imports ant
hinder our trade abroad, frequen
adjustment will be necessary TO
years to come. Knowing the impos
sibility of modification by act o
Congress for any one or a score o
lines without involving a long ARA.
of schedules, / think we shall go 6
long ways toward sterilization /
there is RECOGNITION of the tariff
commissions fitness to recommend
urgent changes by proclamation.
Signs of Revival.
% l am sure about public opinion
favoring the early determination o
our tariff policy. There have beef
reassuring signs of a business re
vival from the deep slump whlcl
all the world has been experiencing
Our unemployment, which gave u
deep concern only a few weeks ago
has grown encouragingly less, ant
new assurances and renewed conf
dence will attend the Congressional
declaration that American industr,
will be held secure.
Much has been said about tn
protective policy for ourselve
making it impossible for our debt
ors to discharge their obligation
to us. This is contention no
now pressing for decision. If w