Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-11

ing power, why can it not shift the
whole responsibility by authorizing the
President to levy all taxes? And If we
can thus escape the burden of taxing
the people who elect us by passing it
on to the President. why, then, may we
not violate that other wholesome pro-
vision of the Constitution which says
that no money may be drawn from the
Treasury except in consequence of an
appropriation made by law? One is as
logical as the other. One Is as rea-
sonable as the other. One Is as right
eous as the other.
Necessity for Hurry.
1t is claimed that Congress is slow of
action and that it cannot function rap
idly enough for those who are in
hurry.
It is also claimed that, In the nature
OF the case, Congress cannot obtain the
detailed information on thousands of
items In a tariff bill with SUFFICIENT
promptness and accuracy to enable 1t
to legislate swiftly and that therefore
the President, who can be swift on oc-
casion, ought to be clothed with the
power to act in hurry.
The President has no more time for
personal investigation than has Con-
gress. With his multitude of du-
ties, he cannot make the inves-
legations upon which he acts The
Tariff Commission makes the in
vestigations in either case. We propose
that the Tariff Commission shall report
its facts and its recommendations to
Congress- through the President, and
that Congress shall determine what
increases or reductions shall be made.
contend that Congress can and does
act with promptness when there Is
emerQPnt Occa sim f0r If
In 1893 Congress passed tariff bill
in less than six months.
In 1911 it passed tariff bill in four
months.
In 1911 it passed another tariff bill
dealing with wool in two months.
In 1911 1t passed another tariff bill
dealing with cotton in less than one
month.
In 1921 it passed a tariff bill in less
than two months.
In 1921 Congress passed another tar
III Dill in less than six weeks.
1t has become fashionable in some
quarters to denounce Congress and to
charge it with incompetence, inter-
minable delays and with log-rolling
processes In the making of tariff bills.
In the very nature of popular govern
ment legislative bodies are frequently
cumbersome and slow, as compared to
the quick decisions of men dealing with
their private business. But should leg
lslative bodies be abolished or belittled
because they insist that important mat
ters affecting the people shall be openly
discussed?
There is not single governor of any
State among the 48 Who has the power
to tax the <people of his State. That
power belongs to the State Legislature.
The governor cannot change the rates
OF taxation. He cannot raise or lower
rates. And there is no Legislature in
any State which would be willing to
give to the governor the power of tax
alton. That power the people have al
ways retained in their own hands
through their elected representatives.
Reasons for Objections.
We object, therefore, to this transfer
OF power from Congress to the Presi-
dent
Because it is violation of the Con-
stitution;
Because it is unwise as matter of
policy;
Because taxes levied by Congress are
levied In the open;
Because taxes levied by the Executive
are levied in secret;
Because the extension of this power,