Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-03-04
REPUBLICANS DROP
HIGH TARIFF PLAN
Congress Leaders See Political Dyna-
mite In Erection of Foreign
Trade Barriers.


tariff. which occupied so prominent
a part on the legislative program of
Republican leaders, has apparently
dropped completely out of sight
Nearly II months have elapsed since
tariff revision was undertaken by the
majority in Congress, but consumma-
ton of the work before the fall cleo
ton seems entirely unlikely. The
leaders of the House and Senate are
far apart.
The farm bloc cuts figure in the
situation as il has now developed. The
prospect Of the party managers hav-
ing hurled at them the charge of
failure to redeem an important plat
form pledge is the only incentive to
action under the changed conditions,
and even this does not seem to be
having any effect.
The Fordney tariff bill, which pass
ed the House last summer, carried
schedules and administrative features
which Republican Senators on the
Finance Committee considered inn
practicable. For a time Senator Pen
rose. then chairman, frankly declar-
ed against tariff tinkering in the
present unsettled state of business.
Last November he apparently yielded
TO the persuasion of some of the in
terests desiring early action and held
hearings on the bIl extending over
several weeks. 1t was later announc-
ed after several Setbacks, that the
bin would be pressed in the Senate
after the Christmas holidays and
passed in February. At present it
is slumbering in the Finance Com
mittee. and neither Chairman Nc
Cumber, who succeeded Penrose, or
any other Republican leader, except
possibly Senator Smoot, seems anX-
ious to disturb its repoSe.
High Tariff Motto Abandoned
The ancient Republican Shibboleth
Of high tariff appears to have been
abandoned, and while this change of
heart on the part of those in power
is Worrying some Of the professional
agitators in Washington who are paid
to keep the necessity of tariff re-
vision before the country, the nation
rs a whole appears to view the sit
uation calmly.
There is division among the manu-
/ facturers themselves as to the desir-
ability of raising tariff barriers at
this time, although there is one ele-
ment which still regards the tariff
as the basis of prosperity, and is
urging action at Washington. Some
\ of those who have been regular con-
tributors to the Republican campaign
chest are reported as having "bowed
/ their necks" on the question of fur-
Their contributions until the tariff re-
vision is completed, but in the face
of conditions. even these threats have
not set the stalled legislative machin-
/ cry in action.
The farm bloc in Congress, which
now dominates the situation, has an
nounced that, in any further tariff
/ legislation, the needs of the produc-
erS must be considered paramount
A tariff exclusively for manufacture
ers is thing of the past, the agri-
culturists say, and if there is to be
greater protection for the manufact-
ured article. then raw materials must
be extended the same protection. This
has chilled the enthusiasm of the
members from the Eastern manu-
featuring section, who have always
taken the lead in tariff legislation
In addition, there is complete lacR
of agreement between House anc
Senate leaders. and some suggestions
emanating from the Senate side have
drawn the fire of Chairman Fordney
of the House Ways and Means Com.
mittec.
Tariff legislation in the past has
been regarded very much in the same
way as surgical operation. If il
was regarded as necessary, it was
thought the part of wisdom 10 "Sc'
it over with" quickly, and avoid keep
ing business in an unsettled state
Speed is not conspicuous in the ne
gotiations over the tariff in the pres
ent Congress, and with the large
amount of controversial matters com
ing before the Senate, such rs th'
treaties growing out of the Washing
ton conference and the bonus, il does
seem possible that the tariff will b.
acted on AT this session.
SIumber Likely To Continue
The earliest prediction by any o
he leaders is October for enact
ncnt of the Fordney bill Other
,oint to the fact that passage of ;
arifT bill just prior to an election hai
sually brought disaster to the Re
ublican party and they are favorini
ARRIVING il over indefinitely. No on
Gems interested in fixing response
iity for the quicscent state in whicl
he Fordney bill finds itself at pres
MT. In fact, il seems to give gen
raj satisfaction, and its COMMITTEE
lumber is not likely TO be diSturbe'
Don.
Democratic politicians are wonder