The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1921-03-24
WASHINGTON NEWS LETTER

The first big problem to be solved,
by the incoming congress and the
new Republican administration, in the
opinion of western congressman, is
whether the new tariff law or rev.
enue revision is to be given first con-
sderation when the 67th Congress
meets in special session in April.
Chairman Fordney of the House Ways
and Means Committee and other con-
gressional leaders, particularly from
the west, have consistently advocated
precedence of the tariff over all other
legislation. On the other hand, many
eastern men, led by Representative
I.ongworth of Ohio, member of the
Ways and Means Committee, are de-
handing that revenue revision be
made the first order of business.
At recent conference held between
members Of the Senate Finance Com
mittee and the House Committee on
Ways and Means it was agreed to
push the tariff law, now under con-
sideration in the House committee, for
passage Immediately upon the meeting
Of the new congress. This has been
the intention of Representative Ford
ney throughout and in consequence his
committee has been in daily session
since the disposal of the emergency
bill late in the last session. Mr..
Fordney has repeatedly stated that
port a tariff revision bill as soon as
the new congress was called into spe-
cial session by the President and judg-
ing from present indications the COM
mittee will be prepared to do this if
given the opportunity.
President Harding has had this
problem before him for some time and
while he has stated that he was in
favor of taking up income tax legis-
lation ahead of the tariff Mr.. Ford
ney and others have assured him that
the West would strongly oppose such
course in view of the ruinous COM
petition now faced from abroad by
the western producer. The Presi-
dent recently invited a group Of west
ern congressman to confer with him
at the White House in this regard and
while the original appointment, which
was called for last Thursday, was
postponed the meeting will probably
| be held early this week. The men
summoned to the conference included
Congressman George M. Young, North
Dakota, Frear, Wisconsin, Timberlake,
Colorado, Howley, Oregon, and Had
ley, of Washington, all supporters of
Chairman Fordney in his stand for
tariff precedence. Upon the out
come Of this conference therefore the
fate of tariff legislation at this time
will hinge to considerable extent. |
Representative Young, North Dako-
ia, believes that if Revenue legisla-
ton is allowed first consideration the
new tariff law will be delayed for
perhaps six months or so, or until
after the marketing of this years
crop. Such a course in the opinion
of tariff advocates would prove dis
astrous, to the farmers Of the west,
already in poor circumstances owing
to the falling market.
Chairman Fordney, in his fight for
first action on tariff legislation, has
the support of the majority of the Re-
publican members of his committee,
with Young, Undertake, Frear and
others all standing out for such a
program. In fact Bararach, New Jer-
sey land Longworth himself seem to
be the only Republican members of
the Ways and Means Committee who
openly favor action upon Revenue
act first.
In the meantime work upon the new
tariff law is continuing and it seems
probable that committee bill will be
in shape within week or two. Con-
gresham Young, Chairman Of the
subcommittee on Agriculture stated
on Saturday that he was highly pleas
ed with the progress made looking to
the protection of farm products from
opinion the northwest will be we'll
taken care of in the tariff bill to be
presented by the committee.
Mr.. Young has received a telegram
from the Home Market Club of Bos-
ton commencing his stand for early
action upon tariff legislation and urg-
ing him to continue his fight for the
of the tariff over all 9TH
er legislation. From this it would
appear that at least some support is
to be expected from the east if the
fight is carried into congress. Sec
rotary of Agriculture Wallace is also
a strong supporter Of the stand taken
by the western congressman and it is
hoped by them that his position will
have favorable influence upon the
decision of President Harding.
When the Fordney emergency tar
if law passed congress it was franz
ed as compromise measure with the
hope that it would meet with the APP
prova4 of the then Democratic admin