Evening star., 1933-01-27

President Hoover is moving during
these waning weeks Of his administra-
ton to boost the tariff In order to dam
the y flood of goods rushing in from
foreign countries with deprecated cur
rencies. Nations which have left the
gold standard are producing wares so
cheaply that these cel leap even the
skyscraper Hawley-Smoot tariff and be
sold in the United States for less than
our own manufacturers can afford to
offer them 1t isn't generally realized
that about Ga per cent of all the imports
that came into the country in 1882 ar
rived duty free. One estimate supplied
to this observer shows that during the
last six months of 1882 So per cent of
all imports came from lands with depre-
ciated currency. Their cost of produc-
ton was so much lower than the nor
NAL cost that they were able, practically
for the first time on record. to scale our
tariff walls and invade the American
market, previously barred to them by
our protective duties. 1t is the resultant
heavy damage to industry and labor in
the United States that is behind the
Hoover drive to raise existing rates.
Some authorities expect the Roosevelt
Of the gold standard as quid pro quo
for debt concessions when bargaining
begins at Washington this Spring.
X X
Politicians think there's more than
meets the eye in the invitation to Ker-
NIT Roosevelt to join his fifth cousin,
the President-elect, on the latters
cruising vacation in February aboard
ho Acfn
bit Of speculation has it doped out that
Kermit is slated to be Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy, in order that Roose-
welt family tradition may be main
tanned. Theodore Roosevelt was the
occupant Of that post before becoming
Governor of New York and President
of the United States Franklin D.
Roosevelt himself was Assistant Secre-
tary Of the Navy during the Wilson ad-
ministration. He was succeeded by
Theodore Roosevelt, jr., who, in turn,
was supplanted by Theodore Douglas
Robinson, the elder Col. Roosevelt's
nephew. In addition to his tribal back
ground. Kermit Roosevelt qualities for
maritime job through his prominent
connection during recent years with the
shipping industry. He is one of the
real Roosevelts who didn't take up
arms against F. d. r. last year, leaving
the feud to his mother, Mrs. Theodore
Roosevelt his brother Teddy and his
sister Alice.
Recently arrived residents of Washing
ton include John M. Harlan, son and
namesake of the late Associate Justice
John M. Harlan Of the Supreme Court,
who had 80 years of service on that
bench to his credit when he passed
away in 1911. Mr. Harlan, q brother
of Miss Laura Harlan, Mrs. Hard
ing's White House secretary, bears
an amazing resemblance to his famous
jurist- father, especially the dome like
forehead and Uranium of the Supreme
Court justice. Thirty years ago the
son was leading figure in Republican
politics at Chicago, unsuccessfully con-
testing the mayoralty campaign as a
reformer especially against the traction
interests, which then held the Windy
City in their thraldom, much es the
Capones Of the present era used to do
Mr. Harlan, q Kentuckian, Is thinking
OF hanging out his law shingle IN the
National Capital, where he lived as
boy.
Washington on February 3 and 1
WILL DC LIlc SCSuc u Ill 1uGeISLdCe COu.
ference Of legislators, the members Of
the American Legislators Association.
The subject of discussion is the topic
Of the hour-taxation. It will range
primarily around the problems Of con-
f1icting taxation. an issue which vitality
affects the financial situation Of each
of the 48 States. Tax competition be-
tween the States and the Federal
Government Is creating q condition in
creasingly acute, and the conference will
seek methods by which the States, acting
collectively, can deal in an orderly way
with the Federal Government, having
in view a common understanding bene-
fetal to all concerned. The members
Of the Legislators Association sit In
their respective State or Common wealth
Legislatures. The organization Is proud
of the fact that more than 200 members