The Washington times., 1922-04-11
HOLDS OUT.
FOR HUGE
DEEENSES
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high standard as to justify what
ever high prices might ensue.
The Democrats are planning 10
make political capital out of this. as
{ well as other features of the bill, but
the Administration leaders profess
confidence In their ability 10 muster
ample votes to force 1t through both
the Senate and the House, as well
as TO convince a large portion OF the
American people that II Is certain to
benefit greatly both the producer
and the worker.
Debate May Take Months.
Guessss vary In Congress as to how
bong IL will take to enact the bill into
law. Two or three months, at least,
are expected to be consumed In the
Senate by debate. Although some of
the "old Guard Republican leaders
would attempt TO Jam IL through
within sixty days by the application
of party pressure, IL is generally be
lieved IL win be midsummer before
* is passed. There is even a grow
ing feeling that II may prove impos-
sible or impracticabie to enact IL un.
I'll after the November elections.
Some Administration leaders have,
however, definitely decided to insist
upon its passage at this session. even
, n Congress Is kept on the Job all
summer.
A row between Republican leaders
of the Senate and House over the
system of valuations TO be employed
as a basis for the bin is regarded as
inevitable. Chairman Fordney and
his Republican associates of the
House Ways and Means Committee
are insisting upon the American val
uations plan which the House voted
into the bill AS reported by the Re-
publicans controlling the Senate
Finance Committee, the bill is minus
the Fordney valuations plan. foreign
valuations having been substituted.
A stiff fight against foreign valua-
tions will probably be waged In the
Senate before the bill is finally sent
20 conference. and Chairman Ford
ney and his House colleagues come
to grips with their Senatorial oppo-
Dents about II. The Administration
In reported. however, TO be set against
American valuations. and. while II is
suggested that the American whole
sale selling price of an imported ar
ticle may be advanced as a compro-
mise, Senate Republican leaders de-
Fight Over Authority.
One of the bitterest battles be-
tween the Republicans and Demo
Gratis over the bill is expected TO rago
over the proposal to give the Presi,
dent blanket, authority TO do pretty
much as ne deems best In changing
or fixing rates as trade conditions
vary or foreign exchange fluctuetes-
The Republicans conoede that the
President would be vested with uu-
usual, unprecedented and almost
limitless power TO control American
commercial and business conditions.
but would be armed with an entirely
new diplomatic weapon with which
20 deal with foreign nations.
The Democrats declare such
authority would not only be auto
cratic, but would vest absolute con-
troll OF the necessaries OF life In the
executive. while depriving Congress
OF Its constitutional right TO legislate
in matters affecting the commerce.
the industry, the production, and the
consumption Of the country.
Under the bill. the President would
first be given authority to increase
any rate Of duty 30 per cent In sx-
cess Of that provided by the measure
whenever he found, upon investiga-
ton presumably by the Federal
product involved was undersellinz
fits domestic equivalent In the
American market despite the pro
lection" originally afforded.
The President also would have au-
thority to switch the foreign valua-
ton of an imported article TO it's
American wholesale selling price,
and then to increase or decrease by
SO per cent the rates fixed by the
bill. should he find that the foreign
valuation tariff was not sufficient
TO protect" American industry,
Even more drastic would be the
power given the President not only
TO take articles from the free list and
10 shut out altogether foreign prod
ucts wherever he discovered they
were being dumped on the American
market by foreign cortels or asso-
Citations seeking to control prices
and otherwise discriminate against
American products.
The deprecated currency provision
of the House bill was stricken out
by the Republican majority of the
Senate Finance Committee, II being
held that tho authority given the
President TO change and fix rates.
valuations and clsssifications was
ample 10 enable him TO meet the
shifting of foreign exchange.
Another feature of the bill which
IL new to tariff legislation, and which
is due 10 postwar conditions at home
and abroad. is the protection" given
to Infant industries" which, like
that of chemicals and dyestuffs,
sprang up In this country during the
world war.
The chemicai-dye provision of the
bill is. In effect. an embargo against
foreign chemicals and dye-stuffs,
particularly those. OF German manu-.
facture. which In intended TO extend
for one year after the passage of
the measure the embargo created