The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-10-18
Rx FnEpnR1cK J. HAsKIN

WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. IS
With the enactment of the new tariff
law the power of the president OF the
United States has been increased III
a way and to degree that doubtless
was never dreamed of by the trainers
of the constitution. The American
executive has long been the most
powerful in the world, but from now
on, unless the new law is amended OF
repealed, he may exercise authority
under which he might become the ab-
solute autocrat of the business af1alrs
of the nation.
Briefly stated, the provisions OF the
new law make it possible for the presl
dent to reduce or to increase customs
duties. This is accomplished through
what is called the flexible tariff.
When it is considered that almost
every business enterprise may be pros
pered or wrecked by the tariff, II we
are to believe half that is said when
such legislation is under consideration,
some idea of the nature and extent OF
the new powers of the president may
be approximated. The American manu-
facturer, the American laborer, ana
the American farmer may find their
welfare entirely dependent upon the
decision of one man.
That is something that would have
been bitterly opposed a few years ago
and it is a matter of surprise TO many
veteran observers of national affairs
that congress should have gone so far
in the delegation of it's powers. But
Mr.. Harding suggested it and 1t went
through. Now congress can blame
only itself if it discovers one OF these
days that it has little to do except pass
appropriation bills.
1t is true that tariff making is not
placed entirely in the hands OF the
president nder the new law. Some
limitations are thrown around what
he may do and he has to advise with
the tariff commission. However, 1t is
certain that the president now has
powers such as none of his predeces-
sors ever exercised and their full ex
tent may not be realized until they
have been tried out Incidentally, in
the course of the tryout it is quite
possible that the constitutionality OF
this phase of the law may be attacked
and the case carried to the Supreme
Court for final decision.
What President
May Do Under Law.
Under the head of special provisions
the new law gives the president au-
thority ID to raise or to lower any
rate in the bill not to exceed so per
cent, and (2) to apply the American
valuation plan Aof assessing ad valorem
duties, and TO exclude articles OF
foreign production in special instances
Essentially an exemplication of the
protective policy, the theory of the
new law is that the duties levied on
imports shall eaualize the costs OF
production at home and abroad. II
recognizes the fact that American
standards of living are generally bet
ter and higher than in any other coun
try. and that American labor is and
must be better paid. To maintain
these standards American producers
and American labor must not be sub
iected to competition from abroad ex
cept on terms that approximate equall
ty in production costs. and the only
way to accomplish this is through
tariff that will make it impossible TO!
foreign producers to undersell us II
our own markets.
The schedules of the new law are
supposed to do this, but it is admit
ted that conditions surrounding pro
QucuOn DOlu ut NOME anu apAOut
change constantly and that it is de
sirable to have some sort of flexibilit!
in the tariff rates Hence, the dis
cretionary authority vested in tbs
president to raise or lower duties with
in a range of so per cent. Further
more, the president may exclude an,
article if in his Judgment its i'm
portation would tend to injure al
American industry.
In determining the differences II
cost of production at home and abroad
the president is directed to advis,
with the tariff commission and NJ
change in rates shall be made unit
the commission has heard the case ant
rendered q decision. This is some
what of a check on the new power
of the president. However. it is no
so much of check just at this tim
for the reason that the president nov
has one vacancy to fill in the personne
of the tariff commission, with anothe
vacancy in prospect. Manifestly tn
commission will be in harmony wit
the man who selects it. Senator Nc
Cumber. one of the men largely re
sponsible for the new tariff law, is eS
pected to receive one Of these appoint
ments.
During the administration of Thee
dore Roosevelt and again while Woot
n