Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-24

AS a feature OF JIlS ldt6I WEEKS VI
the campaign, tariff laws and protec-
debate, following speeches by Gov.
Smith and Mr.. Hoover The subject,
which has been uppermost in many
campaigns, Is revived with one new
feature: The Democratic nominee Is
interpreted as departing from the ira
ditional position of his party and ac-
cepting the principle of protection.
Gov. Smith is a realist," states the
Omaha World Herald independently.
"He stands for honest tariff protection
where conditions require 1t and JUSTIFY
1t, Just as bravely as he stands opposed
to permitting tariffs to serve as smell
ter of extortion and favoritism.' He
stands for scientific and factual tariff
making and against tariff making to
reward favorites, protect monopoly. or
create an illegitimate partnership De-
tween politics and business.
On the Republican side, the New YORK
Herald Tribune argues: Mr.. smith
suggests taking the tariff out of politics.
That has long been the dream OF groups
dissatisfied with the slow ana awK-
ward methods of congressional tarln
building. II has gone unrealized because
a function intimately af1ecting SO vaSt
a percentage of the population cannot
well be taken away from Representa-
tives and Senators when the voters
choose, and who, under the Constitu-
tion. must impose taxes and fix customs
duties The country has seen tar1n
boards and commissions in operation,
but 1t must be candidly admitted tnat
in the broad sense they have never ac-
complished anything OF Importance
AS to Mr.. Hoover's position, the
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin (lnde-
pendent Republican, says. Tne pro-
can platform and pledged by Herbert
Hoover is the instrument to keep the
Nation in economic balance. to the
benefit of its industries and their
workers. Intelligent self-interest die
tates the logical choice between Demo-
cratic theory so repeatedly proved un-
sound and Republican practice which
has consistently achieved national
In reply to Mr.. Hoover, the Birming-
ham News (Democratic) charges that
his "retort to Gov Smiths proposal
that the tariff be taken out of politics
is demagogic balderdash set out against
an honest minds sound suggestion for
scientific treatment OF the tarln queS-.
tion." The News points out that lin
authority, not unlike that Gov. Smith
has in mind, is delegated by Congress
and by the President to the commits
sion. Under the Fordney- McCumber
tariff law the Congress lodges with this
commission authority to recommend
changes in the tariff schedules. and
lodges with the President authority to
make these changes effective by his
approval of the commissions recon-
mendations."
Significance is found by the Column
bus Ohio State Journal Republican,
in the fact that 1.-The Republican party
is Joined to its idols and the Demo-
cratic party has deserted its OLD
on high protection" The Charleston
Evening Post independent Democraticl
remarks: There is no question OF
morality nor even of consistency in
volved in a change of viewpoint.
Whether or not Gov. Smith has made
too complete a reversal of an old party
doctrine Is another matter. Doubtless
Cleveland Democrats If any survive.
will shake their heads ruefully and
wonder at what the new generation VIII
do next"
at would meet the wishes of the Re-
Gratis, including Gov. Smith, were to
abide by their party's traditional tariff
for-revenue policy. but fairness compelS
recognition Of the situation as 1t exists,
says the Pittsburgh PoSt-Gazette IRE
publican while the Milwaukee journal
independently contends that there Is
much in the Hoover tariff argument
which ought to show the Democrats
that they are on slippery ground in
abandoning their former principle.
The Schenectady Gazette independent
Democratic) offers the view: so far
as the welfare Of the Nation, the indus
trial stability of 1t, Is concerned. there
IS no distinction between Mr.. Hoover
and Mr.. Smith. Neither will lift a
finger to interfere with prosperity. but
both can be relied upon to use all of
their power to combat adverse infiu-
ences. But one is committed to the
doctrine that our Government should
use its full force. through such matters
as the tariff. TO favor certain small
groups at the expense of the whole