Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-16

OF LnOSe WHICH VIC nave CkCdUcu AUE
transportation and banking, we give inn
mediate assurance OF the determined
purpose of the Government to meet the
difficulties OF which we are now aware
and to create an agency through which
constructive action for the future will
be assured.
IN this treatment of this problem we
recognize the responsibility Of the people
as a whole, and we shall lay the foun-
dationS for q new day In agriculture.
from which we shall preserve to the
Nation the great values OF its individu-
atty and strengthen our whole national
fabric.
I'm considering the tariff for other
industries than agriculture we find that
there have been economic shifts neces-
stating a readjustment Of some OF the
tariff schedules. Seven years OF expert
ence under the tariff bill enacted in
1922 have demonstrated the utsdom OF
Congress In the enactment Of that
measure. On the whole 1t l4B worked
well. In the main our wages nave been
maintained at high levels; our exports
and imports have steadily increased;
with some exceptions our manufacture
ing industries have been "rosperouE
Nevertheless, economic changes have
taken place during that time which
have placed certain domestic products
at disadvantage and new industries
have come into being, all Of which
creates the necessity for some limited
changes In the schedules and in the
administrative clauses OF the laws as
written in 1922.
Test Is Proposed.
at would seem to me that the test of
necessity for revision is in the main
whether there has been q substantial
slackening Of activity in an industry
during the past few years and a conse-
quent decrease of employment due to
insurmountable competition In the prod
ucts Of that industry. 1t is not as If
we were setting up new basis OF pro-
tective duties We did that seven years
ago. What We need to remedy now is
whatever substantial loss Of employment
may have resulted from shifts since that
time.
mo discrimination against any for
eign industry Is involved in eQualizing
the difference In costs of production at
home and abroad and thus taking from
foreign producers the advantages they
derive from paying lower wages to labor
Indeed, such equalization is not only q
measure of social justice at home but
by the lift 1t gives to our standards Of
living we increase the demand for those
goods from abroad that We do not our
selves produce. In a large sense we
have learned that the cheapening of
the toiler decreases rather than pro-
notes permanent prosperity, because 1t
reduces the consuming power of the
people.
I'm determining changes in our tariff
We must not fail to take into account
the broad interests OF the country as a
whole, and such interests include our
trade relations with other countries. 1t
is obviously unwise protection which
sacrifices greater amount Of employ
ment in exports to gain less amount
OF employment from imports.
Il am impressed with the fact that
We also need important revision in some
OF the administrative phases of the
tariff. The Tariff Commission should
be reorganized and placed upon a basis
OF higher salaries in order that we may
at all times command men of the broad
est attainments. Seven years of expert
ence have proved the principle of fiexi-
BILE tariff to be practical, and in the
long view q most important principle TO
maintain.
Iarlm COMMISSION Changes.
However, the basis upon which the
Tariff Commission makes its recon-
mendations to the President for admin
iStrative changes in the rates of duty
should be made more automatic and
more comprehensive, to the end that
the time required for determinations by
the Tariff Commission shall be greatly
shortened. The formula upon which
the commission must now act often re-
quires that years be consumed in reach
Ing conclusions where 1t should require
only months. Its yerv purpose Is de-
feated by delays. believe a formula
can be found that will insure rapid and
accurate determination Of needed
changes In rates. With such strength
ening Of the Tariff Commission and Of
its basis for action many secondary
changes in tariff can be left to action
by the commission, which at the same
time will give complete security to In
dustry for the future.
Furthermore, considerable weak
nesses on the administrative side of the
tariff have developed, especially In the
valuations for assessments of duty.
There are cases of undervaluations that
are dificult to discover without access
to the books Of foreign manufacturers,
which they are reluctant to offer. This
has become also great source OF fric-
ton abroad. There is increasing ship
ment Of goods on consignment, particu-
larry by foreign shippers to concerns
that they control in the United States,
and this practice makes valuations diff
flcult to determine. I believe it is de-
sirable to furnish to the Treasury q
sounder basis for valuation in these and
other cases.
1t Is my understanding that It is the
purpose of the leaders of Congress to
confine the deliberations of the session
mainly to the question Of farm relief
and tariff. In this policy / concur.
There are. however, certain matters of
emergency legislation that were partially
completed in the last session. such as
the decennial census, the reapportion-
ment Of congressional representation
and the suspension of the national
origins clause of the immigration act of
1924, together with some minor admin
istrative authorizations. I understand
that these measures can be reunder-
taken without unduly extending the ses-
sion. recommend their contamination
as being In the public interest.
HERBERT HOOVER"
The White House, t-ril I6, 1929"