The New York herald., 1921-03-09
TARIFF
TO Be CONSIDERED
FIRST MCONGRIgSS
viii BE Taken Up Betore
Permanent Schedules ttr
Revenue Law.
FOR HEARINGS AT ONCE
Unsettled Trade Conditions
i'm World Make Final
Action Inadyisable.
FOR HEARINGS AT ONCE
QUESTION OF SALES luAX
Senator Penrose to Call Nj
nance Committee Together
During Recess.
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERhl,.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., March 3.

Washington, ID. c., March 8.
President Harding's conference with
Republican leaders in Congress, blaz-
ing the way for action on domestic
problems, brought speedy results to-
day.
Senator Penrose CPa.). chairman Of
the Finance Committee, and Repre-
sentative Fordney (Mich.). chairman
Of the Ways and Means Committee.
met and agreed TO call a joint meeting
Of their committees in a day or two.
Secretary Of the Treasury Mellon.
group of experts of the Treasury De-
partment and Representative Good
Qowa), chairman of the House Ap-
preparations Committee, will be called
In and the meeting will seek to ascer-
tain the needs of the Government for
the framing of revenue and tariff
\ legislation.
| The conclusions reached at this
meeting will be conveyed TO President
Harding. 1t is the intention to begin
separate hearings at once on tariff
and revenue matters in both houses.
Senator Penrose announced this pro-
] gran1ne and intimated that emergency
tariff legislation will be considered prior
10 permanent tariff and revenue legis-
lation.
Temporary Measure Now.
In the House the prevailing belief
among Republican leaders is that rev.
enue revision should come at the earliest
date possible and be preceded only by
the enactment Of a temporary tariff. A
permanent tariff law should not be en-
acted early in the present session be-
cause of the unsettled trade conditions
throughout the world, they believe.
"We realize that we have a large task
before u.s." said Senator Penrose AL
ready there IS great pressure from the
agricultural interests of the country TO
have Congress act on the tariff before
revenue legislation is taken up There
i is every disposition to realize the neces-'
\ sites and requirements of agriculture.
"Of course the revenue legislation
Il cannot benefit the taxpayers for the
current fiscal payments. AT the same
I time the taxpayers ought to know as
early as possible what relief can be ex-
pected to the end that confidence may
be restored and investors may know just
I how they arc"
+ Asked II there were any relations be-
I tween the date Of the extra session or
H Congress and the programme he had
Y outlined Senator Penrose said
II do not think that has any material
bearing on the action we propose TO
& take OF course. the Ways and Means
Committee viii hold more exhaustive
4 hearings than the Finance Committee
for the reason that both tariff an5 rev.
enue legislation must originate in the
House"
Importance of Hearings.
Senator Penrose regards these prelimi-
nary hearings az Of great Importance 70
the cxtra session, because by holding
them il will enable Congress to consider
the measures that much earlier. lie
sail there would be no advantage in
calling Congress together much before
the Ways and Means Committee is ready
70 report either tariff or revenue legisla-
ton.
Il shall be here during the Congress
sional recess" Senator Penrose contin-
ued, "and intend to call the finance COM
nittee together and hold hearings on
some OF the high spots in tariff and
revenue matters"
AS 10 the high spots, Senator Penrose
referred to the agitation for sales tax
as a revenue producer :. There are some
members ~ Congress. nd said, who re-
i gard this as a panacea for many Ills.
/. Willie others consider such tax Is not
practical Speaking for himself. Senator
, Penrose said he had an open mind as to
the desirability Of a sales tax and wants
I'll the illumination he can have on the
subject
He referred TO the fact that In the
beginning OF the Mckinley Administra-
ton hearings on tariff legislation began
the day after the Presidents Inaugural
tion.
Asked II any agreement had been
reached on the proposal of Representa-
tive Fordney for an emergency tariff
senator Penrose said this question IS
!, still open He said there was q very
strong division Of sentiment on this
"Considcration Of tho temporary tRriT
NAV come bt fore anything else" Seua-
for Penrose said 'Tf i Is decided 70 adopt
It first Il can be done. should think. IN a
.