Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-06

| tinguish it from the emergency act
which the Congress expedited carly in
the extraordinary session and which II
the law today. | cannot too strongly
Urge an carly completion of this neCes-
sary legislation. It is needed to sta
bilizc our industry at home; 1t is cs-
sential to make more definite our trade
/ relations abroad. More, it is vital to
the preservation Of many of our own
industries, which contribute 50 notu -
bly, tn the very lifcblCod Of QUE Nation.
There is now, and there always will
Dc storm Of conflicting opinion about
any tariff revision. We cannot 20 far
wrong when we base our tariffs on the
policy Of preserving the productive aC.
tivittes which enhance employment and
add to our national proSpe. ity.
Again comes tho reminder tNat VIC
must not be unmindful of world COndi-
tions. that peoples are struggling for
industrial rehabilitation aud that we
cannot dwell in industrial and CONNER
Cial exclusion and Mt the same time do
the just thing In aiding world recon.
StruCtiOn and readiustmPnt. We do not
seek selfish alc0fnpss, and we could
not profit by Il were ii possible. We
recognize the necessity Vf buying whCr-
ever We will and the pcrmanCnCy Of
trade lies in its acceptable exchanges.
In cur pursuit Of markets we must give
1S wen as receive. We cannot sell to
others who DO not produce. nor can We
buy unless we produce at home. Sensi-
ble 0f every obligation of humanity,
commerce and finance. linked as they
are in the present world condition. it is
not to be argued that VIC need destroy
ourselves TO be helpful to others.
Better to Remain On Firm Ground
with ali my heart | wish restora-
tion to tn" peoples blighted by the
awful World War, but the process of
restoration does not lie in our accept
ance OF like conditions. II were better
to remain on firm ground, strive for
ample employment and high standards
Of wage nj home, and point the way
to balanced budgets, rigid economies
and resnlute, efficient work rs the neces'
Sary remedies to cure disaster.
Everything relating to trade. among
ourselves and among nations, has been
cXpauiCd, excessive. inflated, abnormal,
and there is q madness in finance which
no American policy alone can cure. We
are creditor Nation, not by normal
processes. but made so by war. II is
not 2n unworthy seltishueSr tn seek
tN save oS~clves. when the processes
of that salvation are not only not de-
nie-l TO others. but commended 10 them.
W. sock 70 undermine for others no
industry by which they subs!st; W. are
obligated to permit the undermining
ol none Of our own which make for
employment and maintained activities.
F1cxibility Highly Necessary
Every contemplation, it little mat
tiers in which direction one turns, LIag
nifeS tho difficulty OF tariff 'gie.ut!ol,
but the necessity OF the revision l. mag
nifpd with il. Doubtless We are iu~I.
fed in seeking q more flexible policy
than we have provided heretofore.
hope way will be found 10 maKc FOX
heXibility and elasticity, so that rates
may be adjusted to meet unusual anu
chang ng conditions, which cannot b'
accurately anticipated. There are prob
lens incident TO unfair practices, anC
to exchanges which madness in none!
have made almost unso'vablc. ! know
of no manner In which TO effect this
feXibility other than the extension O
T. powers of the Tariff Commission, 81
that IL can adapt itself to a scientific
and wholly just administration Of th'
law.
II am not unmIndful Of the consti
tutional difficulties. These can be me
by giving authority TO the Chief ExeCu
tive. who could proclaim additional
duties to meet conditions which tn
Congress may designate.
No Wish to Enlarge Executive Powc
"At this point ] must disavOw an,
dra!re to enlarge the Executives power
or add 70 the responsibilities OF In
office. They are already TOO large. |
there were any other plan l would pre-
fer #,
The grant of authority to proclaim
would necessarily bring the Tariff Com
mission into new and enlarged nCtiNi
ties because no executive could d.
charge such a duty except on the in
formation acquired and recommends
tions made by this commission. Ru
the plan is feasible and the proper funC
tioning Of the board would give US
better administration of define
policy than ever can he made ToeSlb'
by tariff duties prescribed "ith"u
heXibility.
American Valuation
There is q manifest difference .
opinion about the merits Of America
valuation. Many nations have Gdoprp
delivery valuation as Tic basis for col
lecting duties, and that is, th"y take III
cost Of the imports delivered at the POI
of entry a. the basis for lCvying duty
1t Is no radical departure, in view {
vnrviug conditions and tho diSOrdere
state Of money values, TO pr0vtd" +,
American valuation, but there cannot
ignored th" danger "f such vUluatto,
; brought 70 the level Of our own DrOduC
: ton costs, making our tariffs prohibj
. rivC. II might do so in many iuStNnC'
whore IMPORTS ought TO be encouraged
hnliayp GDnprRSS UIITht n we