Evening star., 1932-05-12
Hoover Explains Veto
Presidents Message Opposing New Tariff Bill Bares
Stand for High Protection and
FLEXIBLE" Provisions.

IFS, then 1t is the duty of Congress tc
state 30 frankly and indicate the extent
to which it Is prepared to so.
Shall Not Hesitate to Lead.
"I am fully alive to the effect on our
own and world commerce of the many
arbitrary restrictions now in existence
The Departments of State and Com
merce are actively engaged in protect
ing our export trade from unfair dis
examinations and infractions, If at any
time circumstances are such as to per-
init the hope that such barriers to in.
ternational trade and commerce may
be removed through the medium of ar
international conference without sacri-
ficing American interests or departing
from the historic policies followed by
our country, shall not hesitate to take
the lead In calling such a conference
"If this measure Is intended to dt
more than this, then the new policy
should be clearly indicated for clarity
to the American people and for the
guidance and Judgment of the Execu-
tive. An established national policy
should not be changed BY implications
Holds Proposals Confiet.
s'My fourth objection to the bill lies
In the further request that ] sheuid
negotiate with foreign governments
reciprocal trade agreements under a
policy of mutual tariff concessions.
Fhis proposal Is In direct conflict with
the other proposals to eliminate dis
erirninatory tariffs; prevent economic
wars, and promote fair, equal and
friendly trade all of which latter are
desirable.
"A firmly established principle of
the American tariff policy Is the uni
form and equal treatment of all ma
tions without preferences, concessions
or Determinations with the sole ex-
ception Of certain concessions to Cuba)
No reform is required In the United
States In this matter, but we should
at once abandon this principle when
we enter upon reciprocal concessions
with any other nation. That is at once
unequal treatment to all other govern
ments not parties thereto.
THAT is the very breeding ground for
trade wars. This type of preferential
tariff agreement, which exists abroad
today, is one of the primary causes OF
trade wars between other countries al
the present moment, 1t has been the
policy of our Government for many
years to advance most favored nations
treaties with view to extingAshing these
very processes, preferences and trade
frictions and to secure equal treatment
to us by the other nations in all their
tariff and economic arrangements. We
have such treaties or executive agree
ments with 81 nations. II we adopted
this complete reversal of policies and
now negotiated complete reciprocal
agreements We should either under or,
most favored nation obligations need
extend these rights to all nations hav-
ing such treaties with US, or renounce
such treaties.
Has Caused Entanglements.
1.-THE struggle fer special privileges by
reciprocal agreements abroad has pre-
dueed not only trade wars but has be-
come the basis of political concessions
and alliances which lead to international
entanglements of the first order. These
vefey processes are adding instability to
the world today, and I am unwilling to
enter upon any course which would re-
suit in the United States being involved
in such complexities and such entangle-
ments.
"of high Importance to US also in
consideration of these matters is that
the principal interest of a majority of
the so or 10 other nations which might
be approached for mutual tariff con-
cessions would be to reduce the Amer
lean agricultural tariffs. No conees-
sions otherwise than those related to
agricultural products would be of any
Importance to those particular nations
The effect Of such a shift in the basis
Of mir orfO 70 he 20
make US large importers of food prod
uets, to demoraliEe our agricultural in
dustry and render us more and more
dependent upon foreign countries for
feod supplies; to drive our farmers into
towns and factories, and thus demoral-
ize our whole national economic and
social stability.
Futility Held Demonstrated.
Moreover, the futility of the Exeeu-
tive negotiating such treaties as recipro-
cal tariffs has been often demonstrated
in our past. Before we definitely
adopted the policy of equal treatment
to all nations, the Congress had from
time to time authorized such treaties
Out of some % such treaties, providing
for reciprocal tariff concessions, the
Congress either refused to confirm OF
failed to act in 16, and two of the
remaining six failed of confirmation
by other governments. On another
occasion, the Congress conferred upon
the Executive a limited authority to
include reciprocal or preferential tariffs
without confirmation. Twenty-Five such
agreements were entered upon, all OF
which were repealed in subsequent
tariff acts. The experience would not
seem to be encouraging for this type
of action.
There are other objections which
might well be taken to this bill. 1t Is
enough, however, that this bill would
destroy the effectiveness of the flexible
tariff which for the first time gives
protection against excessive or made
quate tariffs, prevents system of
frozen tariff upon the country, irrespec-
tive of economic change, and gives re-
lief from log-rolling and politics in
tariff making 1t would surrender our
own control of an important part of
our domestic affairs to the influence OF
other nations or alternately would lead
US into utilities in international nego-
tiaticns. 1t would start our country
upon the road of system of prefer
ential tariffs between nations with all
the trade wars, international entangle-
naents, etc, which our country has
sought to avoid by extending equal
treatment TO all OF them"
nH NrAU an~ Pr nFN