The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-11-09
THE FLEXIBLE TARIFF CLAUSE

tariff legislation has been and will con-
tinue to be, as long as the public estimation
remains in it's present state, at furious contest
of selfishness, a maze of ill,adviSed injudicious
opinions, because the rate schedule, which in
our minds is the only consideration, can never
be anything but local issue, declared w. w.
Nicholas Of the AlIis- Chalmers Manufacturing
Company, addressing the convention of the
American Manufacturers Export Association,
in New York recently.
Mr.. Nicholas continued: Tariff legislation
has been the rule Of every change in party adj
ministration since 1885, There is nothing more
partisan in it's proceeding or more perplexlng
to honest and conscientious law makers. Con-
gress, whose function it is to compose COM
promises in reconciling many local differences
of opinion, rather merits our heartfelt SYM
pathy in it's periodic effort under such condi-
tions to satisfy constituencies who will never
think alike on these measures 49,. Unless |
am greatly mistaken, healthy realization of
the defects of our governmental procedure in
tariff administration appears for the first time
in the Fordney-McCumber Act, which promises
a modification of existing practices SO detri-
mental to continuing prosperity in business"
The speaker no doubt had reference to the So
called flexible provision in the new tariff law,
which finds great favor with the business men
Of the country. John E. Edgerton, president
of the National Association of Manufacturers,
a few days after the present tariff law was
passed. said of that provision: Whatever diff
ferences of opinion may arise with respect to
rates and schedules in the tariff act Of 1922,
it's administrative provisions represent a great
constructive advance. Within a standard es-
tablished by the Congress, the chief executive,
upon the investigation and recommendation of
the tariff commission, may adjust rates within
so per cent limits to equalize costs of produc-
tion in our competition with foreign producers. /"
Mr.. Edgerton expressed his belief that if this
provision were found to be constitutional, "the
occasion for general political revsions of tariff
rates is passed"
In short, insofar as is humanity possible, the
Republican Congress has met the wishes of an
ever-growing number of men engaged in bust
ness, to take the tariff out of politics." The
success of the attempt, of course, will depend
upon the view which the u. S! Supreme Court
takes of the delegation prescribed limitations.
On that point there is still considerable differ
ence of opinion, those who question the right so
delegated declaring that if it can be done with
respect to the tariff, it may as rightfully be
done with respect to other general tax meas
ures, with the ultimate result that Congress
need only fix boundaries, however wide, and the
executive may do the rest. This introduces a
new principle into the American system with
the final decision up to the courts and people.
The flexible provision in the tariff law re-
ceived the most violent condemnation from the
Democrats in Congress. The Republicans free
" acknowledged that it was experimental It
has not yet had time toAprove it's efficiency,
nor has its constitutionality BEEN settled But
practically every manufacturer and business
man in the country is pleased with it as it
stands and since the agricultural interests
have received adequate protection in the law,
and the flexible provision applies to them as
WE'LL it appears certain that, assuming it's con-
stitutionality, it's only arch-enemy is the Demo
cratic party.