Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-09-06
Tariff Bill viii Not Stand The
Test.

Senator Watson's grumbline complaint
that. should vote on the tariff bill be
Delayed by the Democrats and Progressive
Republican Senators until the regular
session, it might be postponed until De-
eember, 1880, in order that it should not
inquire in the coming Congressional cleo
tions-is confession that the measure he
and his colleagues are attempting to put
through as the administration bill is too
unpopular to stand the test of a popular
referendum.
The Republican majority of the Senate
Finance Committee in their secret sessions
nave spent the better part of three months
IN framing this measure before letting the
Democrats have look at il in its entirety.
Now they are preparing to charge that
the opponents Of the measure are obstruc-
tionists because they want an adequate
discussion of the thing.
1t is to be hoped that the measure will
come to vote before the end Of the extra
session. but IL it does not, the fault will lie
not with the Democrats but with the Re-
publicans who have spent so much time
trying to produce something which will
have an appearance of fairness but is
actually particularly vicious compilation
OF unmerited special privileges to indus
tries that have no better excuse for asking
higher duties than the desire to increase
their already swollen incomes.
1t has been pointed out there was no
demand for tariff revision. but merely
an opportunity: the Department of Com
merce has in various reports presented
that these industries are at the peak of
prosperity, and the booming stock market
itself is testimony to the same effect.
"One of two things is true, said Senator
Connally, Of Texas. in discussing the threat
to postpone the entire business a whole
year from next December Either the
bill is such as cannot be safely defended.
or 1t Is not II it cannot be defended, Of
course the Republican leaders are afraid
to have the American people to pass on
the bill as anissue in the elections of 1880.
If the bill is fair and just to the American
people, it ought to be enacted at an early
date.
IF the bill is in the interest of all the
American people instead Of a few, the
Republican party ought to be glad to have
it debated and discussed in the elections.
IF 1t is in behalf of a few and against
the interests Of the many. the Republican
party would prefer to have it enacted after
the elections"
IL is perfectly obvious that SO far as the
interests of business are concerned it makes
little difference whether the tariff is revised
in November by the extra session or in
December or January by the regular
session. Indeed. if there is any economic
justification for adding some hundreds Of
millions of dollars to the cost of living, it
aouid he .e Haifh' of injustice to the
Industries concerned 10 make them wait
another year 10 be relief.
u the measure us really for the benefit
OF jb, distressed .rmer, which was the
early DreteGse the sooner it went on the
DID, books tha letter il would be for
that particular C.4ss. Actually. Of course,
the distress of the farmers is, in the pend
ing measure. merely subterfuge to explain
the higher rates. The incident of the
trifiing duty on hides as a justification for
lacking ten times as much onto the boots
and shoes and harness and other goods
manufactured from that hide, is typical
of the whole bill.
Even SO UNREASONABLE defender of
the administration policies as the N. Y.
Evening Post says: THE high rates on
shoes will not help the farmer. Indeed,
almost all the industrial rates will increase
his cost of living"
1t concludes: There would be very little
resentment il no tariff bill at all were
finally passed"
The suggestion Of veto should the
Republican majority finally inflict the
SmoOt-Hawley monstrosity on the country
is dying down, though some Of the Presi-
dents volunteer spokesman still write
about it.
American political history" as is stated
in the Boston Globe. is studded with anoma-
lies. But among them it is difficult to
find a President who in that situation
fiouts his own party majority in Congress
and throws out the fruit of its la bors. With
mid-term election in the offing, last
minute veto would merely enlarge the pro-
portions Of the party calamity"
Perhaps. it is with the very idea Of saw
ing the President from the dilemma Of sign
ing the worst tariff bill ever presented OF
throwing down the big campaign contrbu-
tors who are demanding its exactions. that
the Watson thought was presented Of
throwing the whole business a year into
the future.
But what confession Of futility what
an admission Of being caught in something
they dare not 60 through with would il be il
the Watson way out were finally adopted
Insurance Issue Divides Eirefnen.
Insurance for members of the constituent
organizations. which the Montgomery
County Association of Volunteer Firemen
has been giving attention for some time,
was one Of the principal matters con-