The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-11-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, ID. c. - Tho balance OF
the year will be devoted by Congress
TO clearing the decks for the passage
OF the Forney-P enrose tariff bill. That
bill will occupy the attention OF Con-
gress to the exclusion OF other legis-
lative matters beginning the fore part
OF the new year.
A review OF legislative action con-
corning the tariff bill is pertinent at
this time. Considerable preliminary
action had been taken In 1920 toward
It's consideration in the House. Janu-
AIRY 9Th, OF this year, formal hearings
on the tariff question were initiated,
proceeding until February 10th. I'm
porters and manufacturers, without
Partially were given audience by the
Ways and Means Committee, 80 that
In no sense could the measure be said
TO favor one class more than another.
June Goth the tariff bill ives submit
ted to the House and promptly refer
red to the Ways and Means Commit
tee. July 9Th 1t was formally reported
back to the House and debate began,
extending to July 81, when the bill
was passed by vote off 2SS to 1877.
The bill was a frankly protective
carrying out the campaign
promise Of the Republican party FOR
a revision OF the tariff as soon as
conditions shall make 1t necessary for
he preservation OF the home market
or American labor, agriculture and
Industry" During the previous calen-
lar year no less than $1,000, 100000
worth of imports had entered this
ountry.
Meanwhile, and while the bill was
nder debate, agriculture was threat
ned with a terrific amount OF compe-
ltion from abroad and there was an
lsistent demand from the agricultur-
| interests that something be done
for them. They did not
hink the situation would wait for the
NAL adoption of the general tariff
Ill. SO, on May eth, the Emergency
iriff bill was passed which granted
rejection to farm products.
July 22nd the general tariff bill
as referred to the Finance Commit
re of the Senate, which determined,
fter considerable pressure had been
rought to bear, to hold supplement
ry hearings, which commenced July Z
5th and which were continued daily
ntil Congress recessed late in Au- ,
ust because of the absolute exhaus
on of many fthe members. :.
During this recess there was an ir-
,sistible movement all over the coun- y
y to induce Congress to give priority
legislation to the tax bill, and since
lie agricultural interests had been y
ken care of by way of the emergency -
riff, and imports were falling off,
Dngress was the more ready to bow =
this opinion. So, on September 81,
e tax bill moved up to displace the "
riff bill, and the former was passed
ovember It'll. The tariff bill carried
of an innovation in what is
Town as the American valuation" VI
ause, which bases ad valorem duties
| the domestic selling price, and "
shing to secure all the information =.
ssible on that subject, the Senate :,
pointed committee to undertake. ~
exhaustive investigation of the -,
litter. That investigation has been "
ing on for some time and as its y
oceeds 1t strengthens the belief of
3 majority in the feasibility of the -,
.use. There is no doubt that it will -
retained in the final draft of the "
, b
few days ago the emergency tar -
bill was again extended, this time -.
iii the general tariff bill becomes -,
aw; and supplemental hearings are Z.
ng held by the Senate to clarity dis
ed points respecting certain agri-
tural products. 1t is confidently
dicted that the Fordney-Penrose
If bill will become a law not later
n the fore part of March, 1922