Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-04-26
Republicans Arbitrary In Tariff
Revision.


Attitude Of the Democrats toward the
pending revision of the Fordn ey- McCum-
Der tariff act of 1922 was the subject of
an address over a recent nationwide radio
hook-up by Representative John N. Garner,
Of Texas. Mr. Garner is not only the new
Democratic leader of the House Of Repre-
sentatives Of the 7lst Congress, but is and
has been for many years the ranking Demo-
cratic member of the Ways and Means
Committee Of the House. the committee in
which all tariff and tax bills originate.
Mr.. Garner made 1t clear that in assum-
ing the attitude the Democrats of the House
do assume toward the pending revision of
the tariff they recognize that the issue is
not one Of free trade versus protection.
but as presented at this time is question
of fair and reasonable protection for all
interests on the one hand as against a
tariff wall so high as TO constitute an en-
barge under which American consumers
would be at the mercy of the tariff barons,
who, especially in the case of monopolistic
commodities. would be in a position to
exact from the consumers prices just as
high as the producers dared to raise them.
Therefore, he made il clear. in this revis-
ion, the Democrats of the House. for whom
he speaks, stand for an equalization Of
protection, which will make reasonably
certain the employment of American
wOrkmen at fair wages. but not at the
same time make it possible for tariff barons
to charge not only these workmen them
selves, but all consumers, exorbitant prices
for the necessaries of life.
Especially. Mr.. Garner said, agriculture
must be placed on parity with industry.
He pointed out that under the Fordney-
McCumber act. as has been admitted even
by Republicans. the farmers were discrimi-
mated against. Farmers have been COM
PEELED to sell their products in the open
markets Of the world and buy manufac-
tured articles in highly protected home
market. This discrimination must end.
and Mr.. Garner said that in the pending
revision Democrats Of the House would
demand as a very first consideration that
the new tariff bill place agriculture on a
parity with industry.
Mr.. Garner took occasion to vigorously
protest against the action of Republican
members Of the Ways and Means Com
mittee in voting to write the tariff rates
in the proposed bill at secret or star
chamber" sessions. from which minority
members of the committee we're excluded.
THE Democratic members Of the House"
he declared. have had no conferences on
the subject Of the tariff, therefore cannot
speak for them as an organization, but
for myself and, think goodly portion of
the Democratic membership Of the House,
we would be pleased indeed to have an
opportunity for general revision of the
tariff law. That is to say. an opportunity
to examine each schedule and each para
graph with view Of applying such rates
as would give fair and adequate protection
to American agriculture, labor and the vari-
Gus industries Of the country" He pointed
out that because Of this arbitrary action of
the Republican majority of the committee
in excluding the minority members from
the 'star-chamber" sessions. at which the
rates are being determined, Democrats can
have no opportunity before the introduction
Of IN bill in the House TO examine the rates
or weigh testimony and determine what
constitutes reasonable rates. He showed
that the tactics of the majority in resorling
to secrecy were in line with the old log-roll-
ing practices under which earlier tariff bills
were written. and which have been so
severely condemned.
Mr.. Garner devoted particular attention
to;saesestions from Republican quarters to
change the basis of valuation under which.
without increasing the rates Of duty. the
values on which they are assessed would
be so raised that the effect would be to
increase the actual protection in some cases
several hundred per cent. This would re-
suit in establishing embareoes as insur-
mountable as the Chinese wall, and would
be doing in an indirect way what they do
not have the courage to do in direct way
that is. increase the actual protection to
prohibitive level II the Republican Con-
gress and administration are going to use
their power to set up embarsoes and isolate
this country commercially. they ought to be
honest enough to do it openly so that the
people may know it. Mr.. Garner holds.