The New York herald., 1921-12-07
EARLY ACTION URGED ON VITAL DOMESTIC PROBLEMS

at the same time do the just thing
In aiding world reconstruction and
readjustment. We do not seek a
selfish aloofness. and we could not
Drofit by 1t, were it possible. We
recognize the necessity of buying
wherever we sell. and the perma-
nency of trade lies in it's acceptable
exchanges. In our pursuits of mar
kets we must give as well as receive.
We cannot 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, 1t Is not
to be argued that we need destroy
ourselves to be helpful to others.
With all my heart I wish restora-
ton Of the peoples blighted by the
awful world war, but the process of
restorasion does not lie in our ac-
ceptance of like conditions. 1t were
better to remain on firm ground,
strive for ample employment and
high standard of ware at home, and
point the way to balanced budgets,
rigid economies and resolute, ef-
ficient work as the necessary reme-
dies TO cure disaster.
Everything relating to trade,
among ourselves and among nations,
has been expanded, excessive, infat-
ed, abnormal, and there is a mad
ness in finance which no American
policy alone will cure. We are a
creditor nation not by normal proc
esses but made so by war II Is
not an unworthy seiflshness to seek
to save ourselves when the proc
esses of that salvation are not only
not denied to others, but commended
to them. We seek to undermine for
others no industry by which they
subsist; we are obligated to permit
the undermining of none of our own
which make for employment and
maintained activities.
Every contemplation, 1t little mat
ters in which direction 1t turns, mag
nifies the difficulty Of tariff legisla-
ton. but the necessity of the revis-
ion is magnifled with 1t. Doubtless
we are justified in seeking "a more
flexible policy than we have provid-
ed heretofore. I hope a way will
be found to make for flexibility and
elasticity, so that rates may be ad-
iusted to meet unusual and chang
ing conditions which cannot be ac-
curately anticipated. There are
problems incident to unfair prac-
tices and to exchanges which mad
ness in money has made almost
unsoIvable. ! know of no manner
in which to effect this flexibility
other than the extension of the pow
ers of the Tariff Commission, so
that it can adapt itself to scien-
tific and wholly just administration
of the law.
I am not unmindful of the consti-
tutional difficulties. These can be
met by given authority of the Chief
Executive. who could proclaim addi-
tional duties to meet conditions
which the Congress may designate.
At this point ] must disavow any
desire to enlarge the Executives
powers or add to the responsibilities
OF the office. They are already too
large. If there were any other plan
/ would prefer it.
The grant of authority to proclaim
would necessarily bring the Tariff
Commission into new and enlarged
activities, because no Executive
could discharge such a duty except
unon the information acquired and
recommendations made by this COM
mission. But the plan IS feasible,
and the proper functioning of the
board would give us a better admin