New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-09
Fordney Holds
Tariff Will Cure
Business Ills
Denounces Democratic Crit
les i'll Two-Honr Speech
Launching House Fight
for Com mittee Bill
Points to 1927 Verdict
Underwood Plan Condemned
as Well as Other Wilson
Measures, He Contends

WASHINGTON, July S.--The House
cot under way to-day in its considera-
.;sn of the Fordney tariff bill. After
.asd;nc of the bill had been completed
Chairman Fordney of the Ways and
Means Committee in speech of nearly
tuo hours, developed the first phase
ef the Republican argument. He dis
cnssed what his party purposed to do to
rsmedy conditions and to help bust
ness.
Criticizing the position of the Demo
Gratis, Mr.. Fordney said they had ac-
,used the Republicans of drafting a
reasure which would cut off, rather
than encourage, trade when the cardi-
nal policy of the committee had been to
hr;ld a set of schedules which would
restore commerce and industry to
health. The committees work always
was actuated, he declared, by the
knowledge that business now was in a
slump and should be given protection
which would save it from the lnroads
of foreign competition.
Compromises necessarily had been
rrt in the bill, the speaker said, and
ali such contested points would be put
before the House for its approval or
rejection. At any rate, he informed
the House, the committee did the best
lob of which it was capable, and he was
willing to stand behind it.
Verdict of Election Cited
The last election influenced the Re-
nublicans in the House to launch into
tariff legislation, according to Mr..
Fordney. He said he believed the peo-
ple knew when they had what they
wanted, or did not want, and that the
overwhelming majority last fall was
voice of protest against the Under
wood law. along with other objections
10 the Democratic Administration.
"The Republican party" he added,
.ahas taken it for granted that the peo-
ole spoke out loudly for protection"
Regarding the American valuation
system. the speaker declared the COM
mittee had found no other method by
which exchange would be equalized.
ave have been kind to you" the
chairman said, turning to the Demo
Gratis. ave have given you an oppor-
tunity to vote in or out duty on cot
ton. We have protected every indus
try of the South on an equality with
the industries of the North,
Answering inquiries why hides were
on the free list, Mr.. Fordney said the
hill represented the best efforts of the
committee and necessarily carried some
compromises. He added that a separ-
ate vote on the question Of placing a
duty on hides had been agreed to, just
as a separate vote was planned on
cotton.
Higher Living Costs Doubted
The speaker said that higher tariff
rates did not necessarily mean higher
living costs.
In reference to the silk schedule, Mr..
Fordney asked, "Why not protect that
industry adequately when its products
are largely in the luxury class?"
Mr.. Fordney said he would not dis
cuss the dye schedule, leaving that to
Representative Longworth, who wrote
1t. He said, however, that more atten-
ton had been given to it than any
other provision in the bill.
God bless you, boys" Mr.. Fordney
said, turning to Democrats in closing
his speech. 81 hope all Of you will
come here on July 81, dressed in your
best protection clothes and make this
thing unanimous"
There was an unusual dem onstration
on the Republican side when Mr.. Ford
hey closed. Representative Garner, of
Texas, ranking Democrat on the COM
hnittee, was ready to follow Mr.. Ford
hey, but as the hour was late the
aatter moved adjournment, so that Mr..
Garner might proceed the first thing
tomorrow.