The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-12-16

dent is the. tariff. In q geenral way,
he would have permanent tariff law
passed at once and give more power
to the Federal Tariff Commission to
straighten out the details. Enemies
Of protective tariff law, that Is, a
law that would keep cheap articles
from being dumped into this country
from foreign countries to undersell
our own products, feel that this would
be hard on some Of the countries suf-
fering from the war. President Hard
Ing believes that theer are sufficient
means to avoid extreme exclusion Of
foreign products, or the reverse,
which would be the flooding of our
markets with the same products. He
would have provisions that would
give the President power to modify
rates after recommendation from the
tariff commission, so that the United
States can keep on buying as well as
selling and at the same time protect
our markets, our labor, and our in
dustries from flood Of cheap goods
from Europe. This plan is the most
sensible that could be proposed. The
status of foreign finances and indus
try must be studied before hard and
fast rules can be laid down. It would
mean that rates would be changed t.
meet changing conditions Of the
world. Under such an arrangement {,
permanent tariff law can be framed
and put on our books.
"An interesting fact regarding this
message of President Harding is that
1t was the first time in years that
Congress listened to presidential
message that dealt so prominently
with domestice problems. 1t was the
first time in years that President
addressed Congress when the United
States was at peace with al 1.-THE world.
And not only at peace, but with nc
prospect of war in the future and on
the eve of the success of the arms con
ference in making gains toward a goal
of permanent peace for al 1.-THE world
president Harding also asked Con-
gress for authority so that he can deal
with the foreign countries owing us
money amounting to about $1,000
100000. He would have the debts
funded and power granted so that he
can settle the minor problems grow
| ing from this debt. Naturally, as he
said, he would no nothing as to final
settlement without the approval OF
Congress.
"Thece matters are all important
but one of the most significant things
about his whole address, was the Wa
in which he stated his feelings re
garding the powers Of the chief eZ
ectuive and those Of Congress. Ec
not only does NOT want more power
but he feels that the powers of tn
President are too great now. Leet M
read that part of his address to you
1t is certainly refreshingf to hear ?
President who knows that he does NJ
know it all, and besides its not only
willing to listen to the advice of thos
who know more than he does on GER
tain subjects but SEEKS THAT AD-
VICE. Suppose you read this para,
graph, Jack, and train your readin"
ability"
az am very sure" read Jack, "'We
shall have no conflict Of opinion about
constitutional duties or authority
During the anxieties of war, when ne
| cessity SEEMED compelling, there
were excessive grants of authority
and an extraordinary concentration OF
power in the chief executive. The re-
peal of wartime legislation and the
automatic expirations which attend
the peace proclamations have put an
end to these emergency excuses, but
have the wish to go further than
that. l want to join you in restoring
in the most cordial way, the spirit oil
coordination and cooperation, and
that mutually of confidence and re-
spect which is NECESSARY IN REP
REsENTATIvs POPULAR GOVERN
| .ru,Nrr,D