The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-06-09
A Tariff Solution

In way the announcement by Senator Reed of
Pennsylvania the eve Of the tariff vote in con-
gress that he has serious doubts about the bill is more
significant than the flat opposition of others. For
Reed 1t will be recalled, helped write the bill
member of the senate finance committee.
Moreover Pennsylvania is the highest tariff state
in the Union. AS customary. it gets more than any
other state out of this bill
Reeds doubts typical Of many other high pro-
tectionsts in congress. Even those who going to
vote for the bill are troubled tremendously
Why? Does it mean that these high protectionists
going free trade? Or Goes it mean that they are
tempted to let unprecedented public pressure over
come their own habit of thought?
Not at all. The issue s not the protective tariff
The existing tariff law will continue in force if
this bill is defeated And under the existing law our
tariff is the highest in our history and the highest In
the world. 1t written by Republican congress,
free to fix almost any rates desired Under it
though not because of itne country broke all pros
perity records for all time.
OF course those who wrote the existing law do not
now find it perfect in all details After eight years
there is need for the kind Of adjustments proposed
by Hoover during his campaign. Those few changes
necessary, according to the Republican cam
paign pledges to bring agriculture nearer level with
protected industry and to aid two or three sick in
dustries
To make such limited adjustments was the avowed
purpose of the pending legislation For that purpose
congress was called into special session by the Pres
dent year ago, and for that purpose congress al
legedy has devoted most of its regular session.
But achievement of that original purpose of
limited tariff revision has been made impossible In
stead of the intended limited revision, the vicious
system of log-rolling has produced monStrosty of
bIoated rates
Piling rate upon rate, this bill has become so
high that it plainly defeats its purpose Instead Of
protecting the farmer it increases his burdens. In
stead Of protecting the manufacturer, it restricts the
purchasing power of his domestic market and kills
his foreign market. Instead Of compromising the
consumer by increased employment and wages, it
causes wider and wider unemployment.
This is not matter of theory opinion. 1t is ?
fact-the most unacceptable and disturbing fact in te
present American depression.
Under the threat of this BILL and the protests or
reprsals has provoked in thirythree foreign
this year. Instead of the revived prosperity predicted
last January by the President and Others unemploy
ment is virtually widespread in June in January
The automobile industry key to steel and dozen
other industries has declined 81 per cent in produc
ton during the first five months of this year
pared with last year. Ford Sloan of General Motors
and Others directly blame the tariff threat as largely
responsible
These hard realities explain the last minute doubts
of the Reeds who wrote the BILL
The issue is not high tariff versus low tariff The
issue is the existing high tariff suicidal tariff
which is destroying the prosperity it is supposed
protect.
There is practical way out. Kill the bill.