Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-10-18
Washington, D. c., Oct, 15.-with

the enactment Of the new tariff law
tho power of the president Of the
United States has been increased in a
way and to a degree ahat doubtless
was never dreamed OF by the franz
ers of the constitution. The Ameri-
can executive has long been the most
powerful in the world, but from now
on, unless the new law Is amended
or, repealed, he may exercise. author
ity under which he might become
the absolute autocrat of the business
affairs Of the nation.
Briefly stated, the provisions of the
new law make it possible for the pres
ident to reduce or. to increase GUS
toms duties. This Is accomplished
through what isNtermed the flexible
tariff 50
When it is considered that almost
every business enterprise may DO
prospered or wrecked by the tariff, il
we are to believe half that is said
whens'such legislation is under con-
sideration, some ideA of the nature
and extent of the new powers Of the
president may be Appropriated. The
American manufacturer, the Ameri-
can laborer, and the American farm
er may find their welfare entirely de-
pendent upon the decision of one man.
That is something that would have
been bitterly opposed a few years
ago and it is a matter Of surprise to
many veteran observers Of national
affairs that congress should have gone
SO far in the delegation of its powers.
But MI. Harding suggested It and
It went through Now congress can
blame only itself II 1t discovers one
of these days that it has little to do
except pass appropriation bills. II
It is true that tariff making Is not
placed entirely in the hands Of the
president under the new law. Some
limitations are thrown around what
he may do and he has to advise with
the tariff commission. However, It Is
certain that tho president now has
powers such Is m Of his predeces-
sors ever exercised and their full ex-
tent may not be r1llized until they
have been tried out Incidentally. in
the course of the tryout it is quite
possible hat the constituttonality OF
this phnse Of the law may be attack
ed and the ase carried to the SUI
|preme court for q finalEdeciston.ss
what the President May 10:
Under the mead OF special proN-
sions ,thesnew law gives the president
authority az to raise or to lower any
rate In the bill not to exceed so per
cent. and 20 to apply ths American
valuation plan Of assessing adj yalor-
EN- duties. and to exclude articles o.
foreign production in special in
stances. z 3E
Essentially an exempIification of
the protective policy. the theory Of
the new law is that the duties levied
on imports shall .equalize the costs
of production at home and abroad.
r. roooDvj1oo <hA l(knt that "A ~ or4Cnr
standards Of Living ARE generally bet
ter and higher ttKns in754seny other
country; and Observation-Disclosures
and must be- b~ettefsspaid. vi main
tain these standards American pro
ducers and American labor must not
be subjected to i composition from
abroad except on termssthat APPROX
innate equality in production costs,
and the only way to accomplish this
Ii through a tariff that will make II
imp ossible for foreign producers to
pndersen u in our own markets.
The schedules Of the new law are
supposed to do this, but 1t - admitted
that conditions surEoundings%S produc-
constantly and that It ID desirable TO
have somesssort 81 ylexibili tysd the
tariff rates. fHeneS. enthusiastically
authorttysxested III the 8pkeaident to
raise or lower duties withl15afSrAnEc
Of 80 per cent Turthernnofe the
president may ekcludesanys.arttcle Il
lin his Judgment IT. Importation would
tend to injure IN American indus-
TRY. q
In determining differences In cost
Iofs production at home and abroad
1.-THE president All directed to- advise
with the tariH commission and no