The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-10-14
Tariff OF F'iaScO?

puc~;litv sccms Ia have become the keynote Of the pres
hit tariff legislation. So much SO that a doubt has arisen
hether tho special session ever will reach the stage Of
|assing the measure which the house has voted ana
hich the senate has been making a prctcnse OF bettcrlng,
Int in reality loading down with tho sinking weight Of
|vcrdollc protection.
| when tic .arm relief bill was got out Of the way there
as Just one course for the house and senate to follow
md that had been laid down by the president when he
recommended REIMBURSEMENT Of agricultural schedules as
art OF the program of aiding the farmer. The house per-
brmed its part Of the program. 1t not only passed the
arm relief measure but preserved it from the necessity
II q veto when 1t held out against the inclusion OF the
|ebenture provision. Then 1t passed a tariff bill III which
lie feature of protection Of agriculture by increased
|utics was uppcrnost. There was no reason Tor any
clay on tho part Of the senate. With possibly some
|ainor adjustment it could have enacted the tariff meas
Ire and concluded the special session.
! However. there were political reasons for the hold
D to which tho bill was promptly subjected. The Demo-
rats wanted to find iii it an issue with which to attack
[1e administration and to use in the coming congress
#onal campaign OF 1880. To allow the bill to become
Isw without some assault on 1T was to pass up opportun-
~. In the Democratic mind. Then there was the his
I3rical Democratic attitude of opposition toward the tariff
IS q precedent to follow. And there was the rift in tho
party between the Old Guard and the So
[alled prcgressives to widen. All this would be capital
ID the democrats IN The COIlEIroaAJAltl SiNGtluH dIu HlibIl
! extended into tho next presidential election itself.
Thus. political considerations now have been for
[lonths the causes Of the tariff legislation drifting aim
sssly in tho eenate. Also for the senate vote for OK
|,sion OF the flexible tariff provision from the existing
aw. It was a feature which the president intensely de-
res retained. SO that the tariff can be adjusted IN
nergcncics when congress is not IN session or could not
Il with promptncss. It had been used to advantage BY
coolidge in raising the tariff duties on wheat when 50
recommended by the tariff commission and it was used
~ Hoover to raise the duty on flax to IS cents and thus
Encourage Forth Dakota farmers to SOW the large acre
&c they did last season. The dairy interests also attcstcd
D its efficacy as a result Of the president increasing
|atcs OH their products.
The excuse or apology given for the opposition to Hoo
Ter III voting repeal Of tho provision was that some day
ome president might be in the white house who could nc.
IL trusted to administer the provision honestly. This
|xcuse had a false ring about il, as no president can act
Iulcss the tariff commission action. Then
ee can proclaim either increases Or decreases i'll duties, as
recommended by the commission, or he can veto the rec
by refusing to act. Coolidge did that in
|ae case Of the recommended increase Of sugar duties. be-
|au5c or the effect on our insular sugar commerce which
|e feared.
Thus. in addition to the dillydallying on the mere re-
|lsion of the bill. the senate has provided the basis for
mother delay in enacting it, for with repeal of the fex-
Die provision written into the measure there Is sure to be
deadlock between the two houses when the legislation
cts into conference between them, If it ever does. The
|ouse undoubtedly will insist on the flexible provision
cling left in the present law. That means a long fight
|etwcen the conference committees.
There is thus possible the making OF a ridiculous fiasco
Of the attempt to give the farmers the benefit of in
reased tariff protection. This was by
he president. moreover, 1t was pledged by the Republi-
m national platform. adopted at Kansas City June
2-l5, 1929, IL the following terms:
"A protective tariff is as vital to American agriculture
= It is to American manufacturing. The Republican
Enrty believes that the home market, built up under the
policy. belongs to the American farmer, and
! pledges its support of legislation which will give this
market to him to the full extent Of his ability to sup
~ It.
I'VE favor adequate tariff protection to such Of our
agricultural products as arc affected by foreign COM
The Republican party pledges itself to the develop
heut and enactment Of measures which will place the
|ericultural interests Of America on a basis Of economic
quality with other industries to insure its prosperity and
e would seem that the senators who gained election
End.r the mantle Of the Republican party should make
Il honest an cndeavor as the president to give effect to
DIS party pledge. Such senators constitute a majority
d the upper chamber.