Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-01-12

thoroughty sxpossd prior to IL pas-
sAss. Instead Of fooling the farmer
Il has given him the f,rst big concrete
illustration Of the fact. weli-known
to all economists. that high proteo-
tive tariff benefits only the manufac-
turing and specially favored classes
and Injuries almost to the point OF
destruction the agricultural and other
natural industries.
The other act Of Republican reac-
tionaryism, tho Tax Revision act. II
unsatisfactory to almost every clasa
OF taxpayer. The Republican lead
ers admit It IL botch and will have
to be done over again. Its only re-
deeming features were In the form OF
amendments proposed by Senate
Democrats led by Senator Simmons OF
North Carolina supplemented by the
able and brilliant arguments OF Sena-
tors Hitchcock OF Nebraska, Reed of
Missouri, Walsh OF Massachusetts,
Gerry OF Rhode Island and of other
Democratic Senators who have 40
clearly and ably demonstrated that
the Democratic party Is the one party
~ ,,v~iv,
ciples Of taxation and is thoroughly
competent to enact just and equi-
table tax law.
There is not so far single act OF
legislation for which the Republican
ma jorities In Congress are responsible
that has solved a single problem Of re-
construction or given necessary re-
lief to the distressful condition of
business and industry.
The administrative record OF the
Republican party for 1921 has been
almost. but not quite, as bad as the
legislative record. 1t is saved from
unqualified condemnation by the, call
ing OF the Conference on the Limita-
ton OF Armaments and by upholding
the foreign policies of the Democratic
| administration whenever it has been
compelled to act in specific case,
On the other side 1t is a record OF
bad appointments. Of the notification
of the principles OF the civil service
OF the discrimination against ex-ser-
vice men In the matter OF appoint
ments. OF catering to special privilege
Of attempting negatively to influence
legislation and OF reactionaryism In
all It's most Objectionable forms.
The regular session OF the Sixty
seventh Congress has just begun. and
It can truly be said that the same re-
dictionary leadership which dominate.
the regular session as 1t dominated
the special session, gives no indica.
ton that 1t intends to do any better
or wishes TO do any better in 1922.
The Senate finance committee l.
holding hearings on the Tariff bill
which the House passed at a specia
session in such unsatisfactory shap'
that 1t will have to be redrafted il
its entirety. President Harding il
asking for sole authority for the ex
ecutive TO determine the tariff rate
as conditions may require, thus ad
hitting the inability OF his party {,
frame a satisfactory tariff measure.
If the Democrats In Congress wer
inspired only by desire TO make pc
litical capital for their party in tn
enactment OF tariff bill they woul
give President Harding the authorit,
he asks and also approve the America
valuation clause contained in the &C
under which no importer will know
what duty he has to pay and will FIRE
quently be paying a duty on a dut,
But the Democratic leaders will con
tinue TO offer constructive amend
ments with a view OF making all leg
islation Of benefit TO the people.