The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-10-14
, The Tariff Problem.
4 Permanent Commission Proposed
to Adjust Rates OF Duty.

TO THE NEW YoRK HERALD: The most
pitifyl factor with which democracy
has to deal is public Indifference until
its pecketbook is attacked. Legislation,
no matter how important, apparently
means nothing during it's formative
stages TO the average person: but when
vicious or unpopular legislation becomes
operative and when immediate correc-
tive steps are quite impossible the peo-
pie arouse themselves. Then. popular
clamor usually results in vindctlve and
destructive action.
II this were not the case the ADM
rable fight which you have been cond ct
ing against the evils OF tariff tinkering
by Congress would have resulted long
before now in an overwhel MIN ssnti-
ment for permanent tariff commission.
The need OF an adequate protective
tariff is unauestioned. Even the leaders
Of the party that so long fostered the
free trade fallacy now concede this.
But tariff requirements are continually
changing, and even though the Fordney-
McCumber bill were all that its advo-
Gates claim. which il is not, II would
fal. to meet the changed conditions of
tomorrow.
The tariff question is too big to be
left FOR periodic adjustment by an un-
wieldy group of national legislators
whose actions are too often Influenced
by Political rather than economic rea-
sons and whose kno- le'gc of the sub
ject emanates from cxpcdiency rather
than fact
II for no other req son than t-is the
need OF permanent tariff Commission,
qualified and equipped to deal with cur
rent adjustment of schedule require
merits to counterbalance fluctuatng for
eien exchange ard market conditions at
home and abroad. Is need that no
fair minded person will question but
this Is by no means the only considera-
ton. though 1t is the most obvious.
The manufacturer whose SUPPLIES are
affected by tariff changes and whose
market abroad Is Influenced by the
treatment accorded foreign countries In
the consideration of schedules must be
actively alert whenever CONGRESS un
iertakes tariff revision. Yet there is
nothing so discouraging as an attempt
to get fair consideration under the pres
ent plan--not because of any lack OF
desire on the part of members OF Con-
gress brt due TO their utter inability
10 digest the veritable avalanche Of prop
aganda with which they are flooded ron
corning every one of the innumerablc
contestable schedules.
we have been seeking, for instance,
70 prevent an uncalled for imposition
upon the automobile industry. to-day the
largest industry in the country. through
n proposed increase in the tariff on anti.
friction ball and roller bearings.
Had the powerful grorp of bearing
manufacturers been successful in Sc
curing the increase In the present bear
ing tariff that they SUGGESTED the effect
would have been virtual monopoly OF
Tho business and burden upon the
whole country for the enrichment of the
favored few.
But when one undertakes to prevent
outrageous taxation OF this sort for
which the public finally pays 1t becomes
necessary to appeal 20 more than 400
Representatives and close to 100 Sem
ators. not one of whom may be ex-
pected TO assume the slightest respon-
sibility for the final result
Tariff adjustments affecting every
phase OF Industry cannot be made prop
erIy on n hit or miss basis. nor Il u
conceivable that Congress, with It's time