New Britain herald., 1929-09-25

He cited as reasons for continuing l the policy the rapidly changing ocO- homie conditions. the need for pro- riding against injustices ard the ex- pcricnco of the last half century showing "that congress can not re- i open single items of the tariff with ] out importing discussion all along tn" line. without the constant Un- settlement of business and the i'm portation of contentious and fac 1 tious questions to the destruction "f other important duties of congress-"
 Benefits Agriculture 1 He argued that agriculture ospc- cially had 'rcceived great benefit through this provision" and pointed 10 the dairy industry as an example, saving if "Would be in a sad plight today if it had not been for the in creased duties given under the fieX- ! iblt tariff"
 "The flexible provision is one of th" most progressive steps taken in tariff making in all our historw," he said. adding that he was informed 1t had the support of farm, manufac- turing, labor and consumers or~an- i%ations and has never hitherto been mo'" 2 political i@.ue."
 "I have no hesitation in slying,' ' he concluded, that l regard it as of inc most importance in justice to tre nubIc; as q protection for the sound progress in our economic SyS- tenn. and for the future protection of our farmers and our industries ard consumers, that the flexible tariff through recommendation of the tariff commission to the executive. should be maintained.
 Harrison Attac!,e stand The statement was made public late yesterday just as the senate was getting under way with deb9tc on the issue. It W2s promptly de- acrtbed by Senator Harrison, demo- cra'. Mississippi. as "rcpudi9tion' by tho President of Senator Watson of Indiana. the republican leader, who told the senate last week he would usc his influence to keep the chief exccr+ivc out of the contro- verev while the bill was pending in cor ~ros s.
 1 II ahowe1. F"rrison said. that tho contest over the flexible provision, "the most iniquitOus provision of tn" 1 bill" was one between the old guard republicans and tn" progress i sivcs and democrats" with the pres 1 idont taking "a position with the old guard"
 rho presidents view, as explained aside from his statement. W2s that, having made his position in support 1 of the flexible tariff clear in his message at the beginning Of the spo- ciaI session of congress his pro- nounccment at this time did not 1 pass over what he regards as the border line between legislative and ! executive functions.
 Smcot IntroGuc"s Motion
 The issue vas hofor" the senate i in debate on a motion hy Nhairm2n n i Smoot Of the finance committee, m charge Of .hn bill. proposing Hmcn!- mcnts to the section cmbOdYing the provision which, among other changes. would mak" the diffcr"nc" in production costs here and abroad thc basis for alterations in duties rather than differences in compcti- i tive conditions in American markets as proposed b-y the house.
 lis motion was given priority after Senator Simmons of North . Carolina, democratic leader in the tariff contest. had proposed sub stitute amendment to climinat" the flexible provision from the bill.
 Shoots argument for retention of the flexible principle followed the came general lines as those set l forth in the presidents statement, ! He contcndcd it was "so vital to the development of this country 4 that the producer whether he 'c an agriculturalst, a manufacturer. or q laborcr, will insist upon its preservation"
 And if is cminantly fair 10 the ! consumer" he said,
 Simmons questioned the necessity for q flexible tariff, saying it had not been utilized to any consider 1 able extent, that the tariff commits ! sion had not acted on several hun drcd applications for rate changes i flor the simple reason that they found the rates in the law exceeded differences in production costs, and the tariff barons do not divide with their cmploycs.'