Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-02-11
The Garner Tariff Plan

Much interest has been aroused by the proposal OF
Congressman John n. Garner that the existing flexible
provision Of the tariff act, under which the president
can raise or lower duties as much as 80 per cent, be
eIiminsted. Garner proposed as a substitute that "a:
house be authorized to pass on individual proposals
for rate changes.
The plan proposed BY Mr.. Garner would provide
appointment by the speaker of the house Of a COM
mittss Of three republicans and three democrats, whose
duty it would be to investigate proposed changes IN
tariff rates. ANY change recommended by this cont
mittee would be presented to the house IN the form
Of . bill. The house, in which all rcvcnue-raising leg
islstion must originate, would act on these bills after
sn investigation by the ways and means committee OF
all data secured by the tariff committee.
The procedure proposed BY the Texas congressman
would eliminate any necessity for general tariff ad-
tustment. II would have the effect Of promptly meet
ing all changes in conditions in all industries, tending
10 eaualize tariff rates upon an equitable basis.
Under the existing provision the tariff commission
and president are handicapped by limitations and
there gems to be almost endless delay IN securing
action even 20 the extent OF a so per cent increase
This has been especially noticeable IN connection with
the agricultural rates. There has been no time since
che enactment Of the present tariff Law s.at It would
not have been possible, under the Garner plan, 10 have
secured revision within a few months on many Of TIE
agricultural rates which have been the subject q com
plant.
The American people have becoms convinced that
n "a unvise TO maintain the present system. RssdlusS'
msrt Of the tariff is necessary to meet constantly
changing conditions. The law as il now stands y net
sufficiently broad; the scope OF the tariff commits
.ior il too limited. Agriculture and kindred indus
tries have in the past eight years been the principal
sufferers as a result Of this condition, and the asrl-
cultural interests of the country would welcoms t1e
change proposed W the Texas congressman
The Southern states have had 4 fair sample oil the
;nsfficiencv of the present system IN its application %
rronosed changes in rates on vegetables and fruits a.
ths time the preent tariff bill was framed, the rates
we're established upon what was believed an equltaele
basis. Competition in foreign lands has developed
rapidly, An increase in the rate was demanded ana
has been granted so far as the provisions OF the lex
iAla feature would permit. The original rates being
very low, the so per cent increase authorized by the
rrssiSent upon recommendation Of the tariff commits
.ion has proved wholly inadequate TO meet the sltua-
.ion. and producers can expect no relief until congress
has completed readjustment OF the entire tariff.
Under the Garner plan these rates could have been
revised to meet changing conditions, which would have
rssultsd in elimination OF the competition 81 cheap
foreign labor and added millions in profits e the grow
srs OF the South.