Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-07-12
Fighting The Ubiquitous Tariff Bill.

oeIs are conducting night to save the
country from exorbitant taxes contem-
plated by the Hawley tariff bill.
For the first time since the Republican
party came into control of the Government
there is possibility that the Senate will
be forced to modify the House rates, which
were arrived at in secret sessions of the
House Ways and Means Committee, and
put through under the gag rules that pre-
vented any amendment Of the iniquities
that were dictated by the ereediest tariff
lobby that ever infested the Capitol.
With practical unanimity the Democratic
senators and the insurgents from the farm
States have been fighting the rates that
mean an increase in the cost of living OF
$50 to $40 for every family in the United
States. They have succeeded in soaring
the stand-pat Republican high protec-
uonlsts into wavering on some schedules
lest the whole scheme of extortion in the
interest of favored groups be defeated.
Naturally the concessions they are talking
oil making are those that least affect the
general cost Of living-such as the tariff
on automobiles, an industry where there is
no foreign competition worth mentioning.
Moreover the united front of the Demo-
Gratis has caused the circulation of reports
that President Hoover is dissatified with
the towering Hawley rates and may even
veto the bill II the increases are extreme.
No such statement has proceeded from the
President himself. nor is there likely to be
one' Tor Mr.. Hoover was kept advised Of
every stage of the Hawley bills passage
His secretary, Walter Newton, then Rep
resentative of the Fifth Minnesota District,
sat In all the conferences in which the
claims OF the great contributors to the
Republican campaign fund for an oppor-
tunlty to capitalize their campaign expen-
ditures through further tariff exactions were
granted. In addition. previous to the pre-
sentation Of the bill in the House, Speaker
Longworth. Majority Leader Tilson, Chair
man Hawley of the Ways and Means Com
mittee and Chairman Smell of the Rules
Committee visited the President for the
particular purpose of letting him know
what they were doing, and there never
was a suggestion that he looked askance
at the bill they TANNED through.
"Ou'o only Sahe a word from the
PRESIDENT to Chairman Smoot, OF the s.,a,.
Finance Committee. to dissipate the whole
fabric Of loot that is now being woven.
The obvious purpose of the circulation Of
stories OF the President s abstraction with
the proposed measure. consequent upon
the nationwide protest against the uucon.
scionable increases, is to make it appear
that he is not responsible for them. and
to bring the credit TO him for any down. |
ward revisions which may be compelled
by the solid opposition Of the Democrats
and the Republican insurgents.
On the subcommittee on textiles. Sena,
tor Simmons. Of North Carolina, and Senator
1en5fses 81 Georgia. are defending the
pocketbooks of the consumers
"Since the effort is to extend production
to all farm products, said Senator George,
lit is perfectly obvious that the increased
burden to the farmer. measured by the So
called compensatory duty to the manufac-
turer. will more than absorb his benefits
and will leave him in exactly the same
position. II indeed not in a worse position.
than he was before this extra session of
Congress was called. The so-called COM
pensatory duties, which in many instances
run as high as 400 per cent above fair
compensatory rate to the manufacturers,
will place upon the producers of nearly all
farm products burden far in excess Of
the special benefits received by any one
OF them. Practically all the farmer will
get out Of the scramble will be the privi-
leee Of paying more for everything he
consumes"
Senator Pat Harrison. of Mississippi,
whose subcommittee is now considering
the sugar schedules. calls on the President
to save the country the expense Of months
OF Congress. and relieve business anxiety
by stating definitely where he stands.
IF it is the Presidents intention to veto
the tariff bill. as we so frequently hear"
said the Mississippi Senator. "he should
send a letter to the Finance Committee,
stating that the bill should be limited to
certain schedules. and an indication of
such limitations. also his views as to any
increase in rates. or the changing of any
rates on existing schedules. He should
take the Finance Committee and the coun-
try into his fullest confidence and let the
tariff work proceed in the fullest light
possible"
sinister and selfish forces dominated
the House tariff proceedings" says Repre-
Sentative Cordell Hull. of Tennessee, land
unless the people bestir themselves they
will likewise dominate the Senate.
THE manifest interests Of nearly 80 |
per cent of agriculture. IS per cent Of |
mining. more than so per cent of manu-.
featuring. 80 per cent of the wage earners,
and the general American public demand |
moderation Of any or all prohibition tariff !
policies and liberalization of trade policies,
which alone can make possible lower pro-
duction costs lower living and transporta-
tion costs. wider and better foreign markets
for our increasing surpluses, freedom from
the gross immoralties of the illicit part
nership between politics and vested in
terests. and the substitution of fair and
friendly International relations for the
extreme bitterness now existing against
America throughout the world by reason OF
present and proposed embargo tariff poll
cies.
IF Democrats had a glorious opportunity
TO wage successful combat against the
Mckinley tariff excuses in 1892, and
against those Of the Payne tariff Of 1910
and 1912. they have one doubly inviting
now"
Citing the tariff rates on wheat. tobacco
and uther Agricultural stanles Sana,or