The New York herald., 1921-03-18
TARIFF BEFORE TAX
LIKELY IN REVISION
Mellon, Penrose and Others
Convince Harding of Urgency
of Levying on Imports.
Special Despatch to THE NEw YoaK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., March II.

Special Despatch to THE Nrw YosK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., March II.
Tariff revision probably will precede
revision OF the revenue or tax laws at
the extraordinary session OF Congress
to be called 10 meet April IL.
Precedence of the measures. each of
which is regarded as OF primary i'm
portance by the new Administration, has
been In doubt for several weeks. 1t de-
veloped to-day, however. that despite
the view OF the President that tax re-
vision was a paramount Issue the va
ried interests involved with the tariff
have convinced the President and MEM
bers Of the House that tariff revision
can well be placed ahead.
Secretary Of the Treasury Mellon
made 1t known to-day that one con-
trolling influence is that tax revision can
be made retroactive, while tariff revi-
sion can date only from the effective
day of the act 1t seems this question
of law will decide the matter The
President, Secretary Mellon and other
officials believe the tax laws In their re-
lation to the American people are of
first Importance in all questions 10 be
faced They are apparently willing,
however. to meet advocates OF immedi-
ate tariff revision upon the ground OF
logic.
Western members Of the House Ways
and Means Committee, who think re-
vision of the tariff win help to end the
agricultural depression. determined to-
day to stand firm for their belief that the
framing OF a permanent tariff should be
taken up first
After a meeting Of the Republicans Of
~. C,a11t1 Chair
man Fordney (Mich.) said the majority
of the members were more convinced
than ever before that the tariff ques-
ton should receive first consideration.
The Westerners will endeavor to change
the apparent view of the President that
revenue revision should come flrst Those
who will confer with the President on
this question within the next few days
are Representatives Green Gowa)
Young On. d.. Frear (Wis.), Hawley
(Ore.), Timberlake (CoL) and Hadley
(Wash).
A member of the group stated the ma
jority OF the Western Republicans be-
lieve that in justice to their districts
they must insist on precedence being
given the tariff bill. He pointed out that
the Republicans passed the Fordney
emergency tariff through both houses
last session. and if this was done IN good
faith prompt action should be taken on
the permanent tariff at the special ses-
sion.
Both Senator Penrose and Representa-
tive Fordney have warned the President
that a majority Of the Republicans on
the Senate Finance and the House Ways
and Means committees want quick ac-
ton on the tariff.
The House committee has been in
formed that when the President sug-
gested giving precedence TO revenue re-
vision Senator Penrose remarked:
Il am afraid, Mr.. President, that there
Is strong opposition to that course"
There will be more than opposition."
Mr.. Fordney added. They will raise
thunder"
The ways ar7 Means Committee Re
publicans guN- elira.nary considera-
tion to-day 10 the -nactment OF an anti
dumping bill and an act providing thar
the valuation Of imports shall be passed
on the American and not the foreign
value. They decided to ask the Treas
ury Department for information as to
how the latter proposal can be adminis-
tered.