Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-30
FLEXIBLE TARIFF
FIGHT NEARS VOTE
Senators on Verge of Deci-
sion in First Major Battle
Over Measure.

BY the Associated Press.
The Senate entered the fourth week
of tariff debate today with its first ma
jor controversy on the verge of deci-
sion.
The issue-whether the Presidents
power to raise or lower tariff rates upon
recommendation of the Tariff Commits
sion shall be continued or Withdrawn
probably will reach a vote tomorrow or
Wednesday.
On the one side. in favor of continu-
ance, are ranged President Hoover and
the Republican regulars of the Senate.
On the other are most of the Demo-
Gratis and Republican independents.
Leaders of both sides, after a week
end of vigorous efforts to bolster the
voting strength of their respective posi-
lions, profesSed confidence in the out
come. They conceded, however, that
single vote might decide the issue.
Withdrawal Would Be Blow.
The opinion was expressed in both
camps that withdrawal of the flexible
tariff power from the President would
be regarded generally as blow both to
Mr.. Hoover, in view of his declaration
favoring the principle, and to the pend
ing bill itself, since continuance Of that
principle enters so profoundly into its
entire structure.
Evidence of a closer knitting of DEM
ocratic and Republican independent OPP
position to the flexible provisions was
given today in the text of the reply is
sued by Democratic members of the
finance committee to President Hoo
ver's argument in favor of the policy
they embody, which was established
seven years ago in the Fordney-Mc-
Cumber act.
Attacking the principle as tyranny"
the statement indicated acceptance of
proposal by Senator Norris, Repub-
lican independent, of Nebraska, as an
amendment to one sponsored by Sena-
tor Simmons of North Carolina, rank
ing Democrat of the finance committee.
The Simmons amendment would
change the bill to provide that the
President, upon receipt of a recon-
mendation from the Tariff Commission,
should merely transmit it to Congress,
restoring to the legislative branch eX-
elusive power to make the alterations
proposed. Under the Norris amend
ment, designed to prevent frequent re-
opening of the troublesome tariff ques-
ton. Congress would be restricted in
consideration of such recommendations
to the rate or rates concerned.
Substitute for Smoot Proposal.
The Simmons proposal is designed as
a substitute for the amendment spon-
sored by Chairman Smoot of the finance
committee, which would change the
language of the flexible provisions of
the House bill so as to continue, with
slight changes, the policy as set forth
in the existing law.
I'VE empllatically insist" the Demo-
cratic statement said. that final action
and responsibility, based upon Tariff
Commission reports, shall be taken by
the Congress. For the purpose of pre-
venting apprehended Congressional de-
lay. an amendment has been made pro-
viding for the submission of the reports
to the Congress by the President, and
furthermore, an amendment will be pre-
sented strictly limiting action by Con-
gress to matters germane to the par
ticular subject matter or rates recon-
mended by the President after investi-
cation by the Tariff Commission"
Latest estimates place Australia's
population at 63lO453