The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-06


our tariffs on the policy of pre-
serving the productive activities.
!, which enhance employment and
add to our national prosperity.
4 Seek No AloOfneSs.
Again comes the reminder that
we must not be unmindful of
world conditions, that peoples are
struggling for industrial rehabili-
tation and that we can not dwell in
/ industrial and commercial exclu-
sion and at the same time do the
Just thing in aiding world recog-
milton and readjustment. We do not
seek selfish aloofneSs, and We
could not profit by it were it pos
sible. We recognize the necessity
of buying wherever we sell, and
the permanency of trade lies in its
acceptable exchanges. In our pur-
suit of markets we must give as
well as receive. We can not sell
to others who do not produce, nor
/ can we buy unless we produce at
! home. Sensible of every obligation
of humanity, commerce and finance,
! linked as they are in the present
world condition, it is not to be
I argued that we need destroy our
selves to be helpful to others. With
all my heart l wish restoration to
j the peoples blighted by the awful
World war, but the process of res
toration does not lie in our &C
ceptance of like conditions. 1t
were better to remain on firm
, a Go
ment and high standards of wages
at home, and point the way to bal
anced budgets, rigid economy and
+ resolute, efficient work as the nee
( essary remedies to cure disaster.
"madness in Finance"
Everything relating to trade
among ourselves and among ma
tons has been expanded, excessive,
inflated, abnormal. and there is a
madness in finance which no Amer
lean policy alone can cure. We are
a creditor nation, not by normal
/ processes, but made SO by war. 1t
is net an unworthy sel6shness TO
! seek to save ourselves when the
, pTocesse of that Aviation are not
only denied to others. but COM
mended to them. We seek to IN
I dermine for others no industry by
! which they subsist; we are obligat-
+ cd 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
I tariff legislation. but the necessity
Of the revision is nagnifed with it.
Doubtless we are justified in seek
/ ing a more flexible policy than we
have provided heretofore. | hope
a way will be found to make for
+ fieXibility and elasticity. so that
, rates may be adjusted to meet IN
usual and changing conditions,
! which can not bG accurately antic-
ipated. There are problems Incl
dent to unfair practices. and TO ex-
changes which madness in money
have made almost Tnsolvable.
know Of no manner in which TO eff
feet this fcxibility other than the
. extension Of the powers of tariff
commissions. so thai it can adapt
itself to scientific and wholly
just administration of the law.
Doesn't Want More Power.
am not unmindfuI of the con-
stitutiOnaI difficulties. These can
be met by giving authority to the
chief executive who would pro-
claim additional duties TO meet
conditions, which the congress
may designate.
4 I
desire 10 enlarge the executives
powers or add to the responsible
ties OF the office. These are already
TOO large. If there were any other
plan I would prefer it.
The grant OF authority to pro-
claim would necessarily bring the
tariff commission into new and en-
! larged activities, because no execu-
tive could discharge such a duty
except upon the information ac-
CURED and recommendation bv
this commission. But the plan is
feasible and the proper function
ing of the board would give US a
better administration of a defined
policy than ever can be made pos
sible' by. tariff duties prescribed
without flexibility.
There is manifest difference of
opinion about the American valua-
ton. Many nations have adopted
delivery valuation as the basis for
collecting duties; that is. thew take
the cost Of the imports delivered at
the port Of entry as th> basis for
levyiEg duty Il is no radical de-
paTture, in view OF the varying con
ditiOns and the discrdered s; ate of
money values, TO provide for Amer
ican 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 pTohibitiye L might do
so IN many instances where i'm
ports ought to be encourag ed I
. believe congress ought well to con-
slider the desirability of the only
promising alternative, namely a
provision authorizing proclaimed
American valuation, under pre-
scrlbed conditions. on any given
+ list OF articles imported.
Boosts Tariff Commission.
In this proposed fexibiIitv. au-
/ thoriZing Increases to meet condi-
{ tions so likely TO change. there
should also be provision for de-
+ creases. A rate may be just TODAY
and entirely out of proportion sfy
months from today. If our tariffS
! are 70 be made equitabl and NOT
necessarily burden our imDo-+s
and hinder our trade abroad fire.
quent adjustment will be neces-
sary for years to come. knowing
I the i'm 0OSSTbiIity- oP ry,05;eon+s- :