South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-17
TARIFF STILL An ISSUE

II we are to take the word of one Of the leading
economists of the country, former chairman of the
United States tarin commission. Prof f w. Taussig
the Fordney- McCumber tariff of 1929 not only did
not settle the tariff question and did not take it out
OF politics features Of the measure have
created a demand for It's own revision.
A scanning of returns of the November election
reveals the obvious fact that the tariff stil very
much a political issue and justfes Prof Taussigs
prediction that the demand for a revision OF this
bill will be met just as soon as another party or
another combination Of parties and factions comes
into rOwer.
Tariff should not be political capital Selfish in
terests alone can make It such, and the fact that
political capital indication that it has selfish
interests. A constantly changing scheme of tariff
management can have nothing but an evil effect
on all industry. No industry which at all affected
by foreign competition can-go ahead with definite
plan of production and expansion if it has to be
forever guard against adverse influences of
changes in tariff duties. prof Taussig holds that
certainty is much to be preferred, the industry
OF the country can accommodate itself to any sys.
the system be settled. protec-
ton. moderate protection or even free trade just
the system Is fixed
The attempt to take the tariff out Of rolitics by
establishing tariff commission was one of the big
gest advances toward sterilization Of industry this
country has made. The powers Of this tariff COM
mission should be so broadened as to allow It to
control tariff rates IN much the same manner as the
Interstate Commerce commission controls transport
tation It IS the logical settlement OF vexa-
tious problem because surely a group OF experts,
devotIns their time tho tariff situation can
evolve better system than the entire congress of
the nation. Political and selfish interests in the
tariff would be minmized by a commission. but
where the issue is be "a football to be kicked
about by nearly 600 legislators. each with his own
AK 10 grind political and selfish features are bound
to develop.
Two influences Prof. Tauss.s said. exercised great
power in connection with the adoption OF the
Tordney-NIcCumber bnI-the growth Of national
feeling in an countries after the war and the factor
pecuia- to the United states. caused by the demand
OF western agriculture for hish protection
THE general accentuation of protectionist feeling
led he writes ''to some advances Of duty which
bc said TO have even "a remote connection
with preparedness for war and which indicate the
extremes 90 which the policy carried" lie then
cited certain 'inordinate" duties of the new law,
including those chinaware je'velry cotton gloves
laces, pocket knives razors. suns. etc.
Toys too" he wrote (which the dreadful Ger
mans had supplied So largely under pre-war condl-
tons and which the entsrprslng japanese had sup
rhed in very poor quality during the war are now
taxed inordnaie in order &c bolster mp some
domestic manufacturers who had begun operations
under the abnormal conditions Ths war baby
gets rate OF 20 per cent. 1t is somewhat amusing
that dice which mentioned in close proximity to
toys are dutiable at only so per cent"
Nell Walker OF Boston is walking around the
world. Il takes good swimmer TO walk around
the world