Evening star., 1921-07-18
HARDING OIL NOTE
IS READ IN HOUSE
Presidents Plea Against
Duty Made PubIic-Fordney
Holds Up Second Letter.

President Harding's letter of
June 80 to Chairman Fordney Of the
House ways and means committee
opposing the imposition of a duty on
crude petroleum and fuel oil and sug-
gesting a bargaining provision ito
guard against the levy Of duties
against u.s." was presented to the
House today by Mr.. Fordney. The
text differed materially from recently
published versions OF the communi-
cation. and in reply to questions Mr..
Fordney said there was another letter
from the President. which he did not
propose to read.
Text of PresIdent's Letter.
The text of the Presidents letter of
June 80 follows:
Il understand that your committee
is very soon to decide whether to in
clude a protective duty on crude oil
in the tariff bill to be reported to the
House. l cannot refrain from eX-
pressing the hope that your commit
tee will take note of the foreign pol
icy to which we are already commit
ted. under which the government is
doing every consistent thing to en-
courage the participation of American n
citizens in the development of the
oil resources in many foreign lands.
This course has been inspired by the
growing concern of our country over
the supply of crude oil to which we
may turn for our future needs, not
alone for our domestic commerce. but
in meeting the needs of our Navy and
our merchant marine.
ITO levy a protective tariff on crude
petroleum now would be at variance
with all that has been done to safe
guard our future interests.
II am not unmindful of the oil in
dustry within our own borders. and
| most cordially believe in its proper
consideration.
"Would it, not be practical to pro.
vide for such protection in some bar
gaining provision which may be
placed in the hands of the executive
so that he may guard against the levy
Of duties against US or the imposition
by other nations of export tariffs
which are designed to hinder the
facilitation of trade which is essential
to our welfare:
case of lumber, concerning which we
talked, our position will be the strong
er If the tariff levy is omitted and
authority is given the executive to i'm
pose a duty in appropriately stated
circumstances. l hope your committee
will find it consistent to give consid-
GRAFTON to these suggestions"
Wants Second Note Read.
Referring to the Presidents letter
Representative ByrneS. democrat of
South Carolina. told the House that
Mr.. Fordney should not deny 1.-The
advice contained in the second COM
loot ioY iy,oc lob -faiv tl,-
newspapers were able to use it," He
said he believed Mr.. Hardings atti-
tude truly represented public opinion
and that 1t was supported by a ma
jority of the House.
IF this tax is allowed to remain in
the bill." Mr.. Byrnes continued. at
will be great disappointment not
only to the President. but to the ship
ping and railroad interests and the
users of thousands of motor trucks
and the vast industries using Gil for
fuel. 1t certainly can be construed
in no other way than to mean the
ultimate exhaustion of our own sup
plies"
Representative Mckenzie, republi-
can. Illinois, also opposed the tax,
saying he believed that to put a tax
on natural resources was carrying
protection step too far. He at
tackled the lumber provisions of the
bill for the same reasons and added
that he hoped the Senate would re-
move all such items from the meas
ure.
7. Underhm Flags Oil Tax.
Representative Underhill. republi-
can, of Massachusetts,. who opened
the attack on the oil tariff, declared
oil production was largely gambling
proposition, and added that it was "a
poor sporting proposition to demand
Legislation to aid gamblers"
He denied that New England alone
was leading the fight on the duty, as
sertlng that 1t would impose heavy
burdens on every section of the coun-
try. Mr.. Underhill urged the House
mot to disappoint President Hard
ing" and to express it's will by a
heavy vote against the oil tax.