The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-08-17

uattZt lIIt dllItltUCG the
"pauper labor of Europe" and the
high wages of America is one of
the first schedules in tariff logic that
needs to be revised. Combinations
have replaced competition and it is no
longer possible to accurately measure
price and representations that affect
relations in the commerce of the
world, In consequence of all these
changes the Republican Congress
has tackled an almost impossible and
endless job in trying to create a new
protective tariff.
The Republicans of the Senate are
committed to pass the tariff and sol
diers' bonus bills before this session
Of Congress ends. The President of
the United States has declared it to
be his judgment that Congress should
not adjourn until the merchant mar
inc bill has been passed. That is the
party program, and the fulfillment of
it before the Fall elections will only
be possible in the event that Con-
gress succeeds in shifting it's gears
from intermediate to high speed.
A Democratic Senator has proposed
an investigation Of the Senate by it's
W committees for the purpose of I'M
earthing Senators financially in
terested in the production, manufac-
ture or sale of any article or articles
in and Of said tariff bills" The re-
solution isn't taken seriously because
the spotlight Of pitiless publicity is
shining on every phase of tariff pro-
posals. An investigation would be
only another time-killer.
Position" in a horse race is not
considered unfair. The g%randstand
patrons and the bettors are all in
terested in this feature of the race.
The tariff-makers of the Senate have
for months been "jockeying for posi-
tion," and in the grandstand and
among those throughout the country
particularly interested in the diff
ferent PAGERS there has been a keen
rivalry. The Senator who isn't seek
ing the best kind of a bargin he can
get in this international tariff account
ing is not giving satisfaction to his
constituency. Most of the funda-
mental features that have governed
tariff-makers in the past have beer
changer but, despite every condition,
the tariff still continues to be regard
ed by practical politicians as "a To-
cal ISSUE"
The country has been facing ECO
nomic upsets" for several years. The
rail and coal strikes have presented
disputes in the economic game that
called for decisions by the umpire.
But the rail and coal men have been
too much like the old .b~ush-league-
teams" that fought for supremacy on
the base ball lots and defied the UNI
pire when he gave adverse decisions.
President Harding has asserted that
he will enforce his decisions, and the
country waits anxiously to find out
just how far the umpire" can sue
coed.
The economic situation is constant
ly being reviewed by such Govern
ment authorities as the Federal Re-
serve Board and the Department Of
Commerce. There is something of
finality in the conclusions Of these
branches Of the Government, and their
bulletins to the public are OF the most
optimistic sort. One almost believes
that were 1t not for strikes and lock-
outs that the Nation would now be in
the beyday Of a boom. The banks, we
learn, have plenty Of money" and the
rates OF interest in the big financial
centers have been greatly decreased.
Six per cent, which at n time was a
bankers favor" has become almost
the standard rate. The stock, grain
and livestock exchanges report
healthy conditions in their affairs.
There has beer increased production
in highly finished lines OF manufac-
tuer as well as In basic industries.
Iron and steel have shown increased
production, and there is significance
In the automobile situation. Expen-
sive distribution methods are every
where being cut and the manufactur-
ers have come to regard the used
car" as a serious competitor In sales.
As a result there is all kinds Of price
cutting and a clearly defined inclina-
ton on the part Of manufacturers to
make UP In increased production what
they will lose In the profits on smaller
numbers Of sales.
This proposal is not entirely un-
expected at Washington, although Sc
cretary Hughes and his advisers ind
the suggestion very unweic0me. II II
said that Lloyd George originally
made this proposal to former Presi-
dent Wilson, and that the suggestion