Arizona republican., 1921-12-07
TEXT OF PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

natiOn, not by normal processes, put made so by war. It is not an un- worthy selfishness to seek to save ourselves when the processes of that salvation are not only denied to oth- CTS, but commended to them. We seek to undermine for others no in- dustry by which they subsist: we are obliged to permit the undermining of none of our own which make for employment and maintained activ- ities.
 "Every contemplation, it little mat ters in which direction one turns magnifies the difficulty of tariff legis- lation, but the necessity of the re- vision is magnified with it. Doubt less we are justified in seeking a more flexible policy than we have provided heretofore. I hope a way will be found to make for flexibility and elasticity so that ra 0s may be adjusted to meet unusual nd chang ing conditions, which cannot be ac- curately anticipated. here are prob lens incident 70 unfair practices and to exchanges which madness in money have made almost unsolvable. I know of no manner in which to effect this flexibility other than the extension of the powers of the tariff commits sion, so that 1t can adapt itself to a scientific and wholly just admins tration of the la-
 FLEXIBLE TARIFF
 'I Am not unmindful of the con- | stitutonal difficulties. These can be met by giving authority to the chief l executive who could proclaim addi- | tional duties to meet conditions which | the congress may designate.
 | At this point I must disavow any desire to enlarSt the executives pow l CTS or add to the responsibilities of the office. They are already too large. If there were any other plan l would prefer it.
 The grant of authority to proclaim | would necessarily bring the tariff commission new and enlarged activi- | ties because no executive could dis charge such duty except upon the 1 information acquired and recommen- dations by this commission But the plan is feasible and the proper 1 functioning Of the board would give ] us better administratio of a de- | fined policy than ever can be made possible by tariff duties prescribed | without flexibility.
 American Valuation
 There is a manifest difference oi opinion about the American valua- tion. Many nations have adopted delivery valuation as the basis for collecting duties that is, they take the cost of the imports delivered al the port of entry as the basis for levying duty It is no radical de- parture, in view of the varying con- | ditions and the disordered state ot money values, to provide for Ameri- can valuation, but there can not be ignored the danger of such a valua- tion brought to the level of our owr production costs, making our tariffs prohibitive. It might do so in many instances where imports ought to be encouraged. I believe congress ought well to consider the desirabil- ity of the only promising alternative namely, a provision authorizing pro- claimed American valuation, under prescribed conditions, on any giver list of articles imported.
 Tn this proposed fleNibility, auth orizing increases to meet conditions so likely to change, there should also be provision for decreases. A rate may be just today, and entirely out of proportion six months from today If our tariffs are to be made equitable, and not necessarily bur den our imports and hinder oul trade abroad, frequent adjustment will be necessary for years to come. Knowing the inpossibility of modifi- cation by act of congress for anyone or a score of lines without involv- ing a long array of schedules, I think we shall go long ways toward stab ilization, if there is recognition oi the tariff commissions fitness tC recommend urgent changes by proc | lamation.
 Business Revival
 T am sure about Public opinior favoring the early determination ol our tariff policy. There have beer reassuring signs of a business re- vival from the deep slump which al the world has been experiencing Our unemployment, which gave II. deep concern. only a few weeks ago has grown encouragingly less anC new assurances and renewed conf. ! dence will attend the congressiona declaration that American industry | will be held secure.
 Much has been said about ths protective policy for ourselves mak ing il impossible for our debtors tC dischorge their obligations to us 5 This is a contention not now press ing for decision. If we must choos, between people in idleness press 2 ing for the payment of indebtedness 2 or a people resuming the norma