New Britain herald., 1930-05-13


 prevailed as to future economic conditions. Advocates Of tariff floX- ibilty claimed that it would allow rates to be changed with changing conditions, without the turmoil and uncertainty Of another complete tariff revision. The act as passed gave the President power 10 CD Alter an articles classification and hence the rate upon it; @ Increase or decrease a tariff duty by not more than 50 per cent; (31 Change the basis Of ad valorem rates upon ar article from foreign market value to American valuation, At the same time. tho President was denied the power 10 make such changes without a prior investigation hy the Tariff Commission on the differences in cost of production involved. He was denied also tho power 10 transfer an article rom the free to the duuable lIsr, or vice versa. The constituuon- auty or the flexible tariff was upheld b1.the supreme Court in 1928.
 The unusual doubt regarding economic changes, however did not Cause President Harding to take sd- vantage Of the new presidential power; he left the rates strictly alone. President Coolidge. however promulgated 23 increases in rates, and in four cases changed the tasis Of ad }alorcm duties He decreased rates in five cases-mIjtfcods, bran, oou-white quail paint brush handles. and two types of chemicals. Natur- ally these decreases did not material Iy decrease anybody's cost of living, In addition. most Of Mir. Cooltdse's S increases were for the full 5o per cent allowed. Furthermore. Presiden, Coolidge took TO action upon cot ion varp-nnit goods. for which the Tariff Commission recommended an increase; gpon sugar for which three members Of The Commission recommended a decrease and two, no change. nor upon Inseed oil, for an..h 'ae Commission recommended 3 Gsare1ss. President Hoover has m erased the Tariff rates upon flax sa4d Oga per 6nt), fresh milk and cream ,5a pr ccntp. window glass t5o per ccnrt and Hnseed oil Uc per ean,..
 Tho lnsurscnt-pcmocra'ic bloc n the seuaca naturally has looked with aIs1aso~ upon a system of llexibility tEat l. not abused, 6, least tends in tha, direction. There is much 10 be sail in favor 0: 'he argument that the re1.buity provisions efscr4aly ,aAas the rata-msking powSr rom Congress. although inc Supreme Court decision held if is within the rowsr of Congress 10 delegate a part or is authority ic 1t so desires. som rolr-s roeardrng the constitutional i,E or -aa system. various lcsal minds -s.. bato not yet boen brought ua-
 cb.n-.s made in inc noMbtHty pro, isjoH Of tae present mu com pared w-o fne one it seeks 70 dis p-ac. an technical coscs or 9ro- 6grtoa aS .re haz.s or th. Tariff . Comm.5slons investigations ar, ao4ndooeI in <asor Of eq4aIiAra .a- 'eor5ruoas Of competition 1T raa principal market or markets 0. ,ao United States, between domestic srrs.es and like or similar compel. ,.e. imported articles" 4 s,m5lar formula was originally approved o,
 Pr,ald-nt Harding and prorosed ot tan Seu4.e Finance Commluee fo
 the prs-a1t tariff act, bu, 'r vas re
 5ecred ny the Suato.
 Tho Senate and House confrarc
 are expected 70 agree upon tn flaylatllty provision, which in cf'eo
 will no a recession by rhe Insugenl and Democrats from the position rhev na-. hernoeore taken. Thu
 -aa threat that inc President 1na
 ee-o 'He onure tariff measure f th Gll~miry provision is not reraine is destined 10 have the desired cf : fce' Inc farm senators fearing tha - aa,H action will dccea. tho paltr farm tariffs contained in the bu and those holng sufficient in numbe
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