Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-10-14
The Tariff Controversy.

The present tariff controversy between
the United States and France lis but one
Of many outcroppings of the damaging
and destructive effects Of our antiquated
tariff and trade policies declares Repre-
sentative Cordell Hull. of Tennessee. in a
statement on that subject. Representative
Hull, former Chairman Of the Democratic
National Committee and a member Of the
House Ways and Means Committee. where
all tariff bills are written. is one Of the
foremost authorities in the country on
tariff and tax questions. and it is his con-
tention that the tariff policy Of the Cool
idee administration, as followed under the
prohibitive rates Of the Fordney- McCumber
Act. are arousing jealousies and hatred
that are costing this country hundreds OF
millions Of dollars in trade every year.
Summing up the situation that has
grown out Of the selfish tariff policy Of the
Coolidge administration. Judge Hull said :
They are arousing jealousy and hate
and seriously choking our export and for
eien market situation. only feebly main
tanned thus far by loans Of twelve billion
dollars. We are daily inviting other ma
tioDs to form economic unions against us.
The President, under the Constitution. can
fairly adjust the French controversy by
negotiating a reciprocal agreement con-
tanning mutual tariff concessions and per
hitting Congress at the coming session to
carry the treaty into effect by suitable
enactment. The Canadian reciprocity
treaty affords complete precedent. The
wise and broad course at this juncture
would be for all commercial nations, on
their own initiative. to proceed to reduce
their excessive tariffs and follow such
action by general trade agreement, rather
than a mass of bi-lateral agreements,
embracing the unconditional most-favored
nation doctrine. and eliminating the re-
naming important economic trade bar
riers, determinations and unfair methods
in International trade.
From every standpoint the duty and
responsibility is on the United States to
lead the world out Of the economic blind
alley into which ii heretofore led it. The
party in power is both incapable and I'M
willing Our own tariff reduction is the
first logical step. 1t is manifest that the
American people will be compelled at an
early date TO decree revision of the Ford
ney tariff to decent level-a tariff which
is either the chief or a major factor today
in the following eleven outstanding condi-
tions: The high cost Of living, the high
cost Of production. excessive freight rates
to the extent Of over $20J, 100000, the
measurable prevention Of the repayment
Of $4,000, 000. 900 Of publ and private
debts due from abroad. inability to main
tain and develop a suitable merchant
marine, existing barriers. distractions and
restrictions against international COM
merce, trade retaliations. reprisals, dis
examinations and hold-ups. the growing
number Of trusts and other price-nxine
combinations. the use of unlimited slush
funds to corrupt and buy elections and
control the government, the long delay 10
the restoration of credit and commerce
and the economic rehabilitation Of Euro
pean countries, and the redistribution Of
wealth as between agriculture and indus
try in this country"
Judge Hull declared il to be a hollow
mockery" to prescribe such prohibitive
tariffs as are in the Fordney Act. and then
with pretended seriousness announce tc
other countries that in selling to US they
shall be assured equality Of trade treat.
ment. The prohibitive tariffs we impose
he said, are challenge to other nations t.
impose similar tariffs, and we have nc
right to complain when we receive dose
OF our own medicine. Under the opera
ton Of moderate tariffs and fair anC
liberal trade policies. Judge Hull said, "th,
United States today would be exportin,
around eight billion dollars Of products
instead Of less than five billions under I
tariff policy which ignores external trad,
interests and seeks alone to preserve ,
monopoly Of the domestic market. Tn,
pursuit Of the former wise economic polio,
would have avoided our serious problem
Of overproduction in agriculture and
rapidly increasing number Of other indus
tries during recent years."