Evening star., 1922-05-04
TARIFF ASSA|[ED;
BYPAT HARRISON
Senator, Declares Present Bill
"Sounds Death-Kneil;of
q Administration"

Vigorously assaiingl the administra-
ton tariff bill as sure to increase the
cost of living and declaring it will
Sound the death knell Of this adminls-
tration," Senator Pat Harrison of Mis-
sissippi, in formal statement, said:
Some one has termed it "a tariff OF
abominations.' 1t might also be termed
and 'abomination Of the ages In the
House it was called 'Fordney's Follies.
1t might now be- called 'McCumber's
MuddIe'
IN 1912 the republican party. in
speaking to the American people
through its platform, reafirmed its be-
lief in protection. That party has al
ways stood for a protective tariff, but
has never advocated a tariff on imports
higher than would equal the difference
between the cost of production at home
and abroad, together with reasonable
profit to American industries. IN no
platform has it ever enuncIated the
princinle that it believed in tariff duties
being maintained so high as to amount
to prohibition against or embargo oh
importations.
THE present tariff bill was not
constructed along republican princl-
pies and is the most fragrant repudia-
tion of campaign promises ever @ at
tempted by any political party. me
rates are higher than those createo
by the tariff acts fathered by NC
Kinley, Dingley or Payne and Aidrlcn:
They are imposed without regard to
lessening the burdens upon those least
able to pay taxes and with no con-
sideration of the necessities OF lie.
Declared Conspiracy.
1T was concocted behind closed
doors, dictated by special Interests
and such duties are imposed as Will
return payment to those liberal in
terests who made their generous OF
ferings in the last campaign. 1t Is
a conspiracy against the consumers
of this country that gives the lie to
the promise made by the republican
party in it's campaign to reduce the
high cost Of living.
at scintillatesswitf inconsistencies.
and radiates with wrongs. 1t is the
most heartless and coiscienceless
piece of legislation yet proposed by
this administration. Instead or re-
lieving the six millions unemployed.
and the millions whose wages are pc
ing cut and the other millions VINO
are hardly able daily to exc out an
existence because of the moderate
wages they are receiving. and the
high cost Of necessaries. it will add
heavier taxes and greater burdens.
"While the specific duties on arti-
cles named in the bill, from sugar to
bread and from shoes to clothing'
will add greater cost to the consum-
ers, unprecedented authority is given
to the President to increase the tax
at any time he might feel disposed
or elect to do so. If he remains
faithful to those interests that in
!, hoc To "a
present time, he is very likely. when
occasion arises and the demand
comes, to respond to their call Great
as has been the assumption OF au-
thorfty heretofore exercised by the
executive during this administration.
this provision of the tariff bill giving
to the President the right to raise or
lower the rates, or to place an en-
barge on importations. threatens to
destroy the legislative branch OF the
government and constitutional rights
as proclaimed and practiced by the
fathers.
Scores ssRobbero Duties.
"If enacted into law, with its pres
ent robber rate duties and inequitable
provisions, it will be the worst blow
ever dealt to a consuming public and
will sound the death knen of this
administration. While it was natural
that the powers that be- should have
pTaCIiceQ HypoCiiSy III Sotho SS'
because if it had not it would not have
been in keeping with the long and
historic policy of the republican party,
it was not expected that-it would be-
come so callahsed as to attempt to
perpetrateN such dastardly. outrages
against the'suMering consuming pub
lie.
THE only cansolation that the pub
lie can get out, of this proposed legis-
Iation is that a few things are left
on the free list, namely, nux vomica.
junk, leectfesS horsehair. fish skins.
fish sounds, skeletons. and spunk. And
this is the: treatment to be accorded
the consumers of the country by this
administration"