New Britain herald., 1930-05-28
Debate Curtis Action

washington, MAY ~
Whether Vice President Curtis act
ed to aid President Hoover when he
sent the s65Q,000,00 Smoot- Ha"-
ley tariff bill back TO the confer
once was the prime question OF de-
bate here today among congressional
authorities and political observers.
Republican chiefs like FLOOR
Leader Watson and Chairman Smoot
denied the administration had turn
ed against the bill. Minority leaders
like Robinson of Arkansas and Har-
rison OF Mississippi openly charged
Curtis ruling, sending the bill back
TO conference for revision. was part
of a. republican effort TO XIII the
measure by delaying 1t.
Democrats have been encouraged
to believe republicans have lost
some enthusiasm for the bill because
of the large number of foreign pro-
tests. and others such as that sign
cd nv more than 1000 economists
recently Though word has spread
around the capitol that President
Hoover stands rendy TO sign the Dill
provided he is allowed to retain con-
troll of the flexible provision. demo-
Gratis insist he would be relieved OF
embarrassment if congress let the
bill die in conference.
Curtis has kept his own counsel.
His friends assert his action was dc
tated by the senate rules. They
maintain he was compelled to rule
that the senate conferees exceeded
their authority when the wrote the
new compromise flexible provision
in the bill
Causes Weeks Delay
The effect Of his action will, how
ever. cause delay of at least
week and probably more in consld-
Grafton of the bill in the senate.
Smooth announced he would sum-
mon the conferees to meet again to-
morrow to see il they can eliminate
the matter which Curtis found OBJ
iectionable He declined to explain
why he refused to permit Curtis to
act on four other points Of order
in connection with the bill in order
TO speed the legislation. He denied
phatically. however, that his I'M
usual course was dictated by any
desire to stife the measure now in
its final stages.
Even when it was pointed out
that such tactics gave support to
the democratic charges that the re-
publicans are quietly planning the
bills death by filibuster both Smoot
and Watson declined to offer an ex-
PLANTATION.
ASK Smoot" said Watson.
"Never mind" said Smoot. I'VE
will pass the bill. It is not dead yet"
If Curtis intended to act for Mr..
Hoover in his ruling, upholding the
democratic point OF order made late
yesterday by Senator Barley, dem,
Ky. Smoot and Watson were not in
on the understanding. They frankly
we're amazed at the Interpretation
Curtis gave the rule.
Charley threw US down" Watson
said later to nevspapermen, arguing
there was no foundation for the
stand taken by the vice president.
These leaders are just as much AZ
sea about what they will do now. In
his decision Curtis said the con-
ferees exceeded their authority whe-
they adopted clause, allowing the
far,f commission TO proclaim rates
os Ia" II the president dld not al
hrn' or veto them within so days.
IT would he simple matter for
the conferees 10 strike out this pro-
vision and report back to the senate
the remainder of the flexible clause.
It provides that IL" tariff commits
sion recommended changes 10
the president and j, the president
does not act, the rate recommended