Evening star., 1934-03-03
Members From Industrial
Areas May Bolt Unless
Authority Is Limited.
REPUBLICANS ATTACK
ROOSEVELT'S PROPOSAL
McNary and. Others Declare Pro-
longed Debate Will Lengthen
Congress Session.
By the Associated Press.

President Roosevelt,s request that
he be given wide powers to change
tariffs has drawn a sharp dividing
line between the parties, and there
were indications today that unless a
sharp limit is placed on the requested
authority, some Democrats from in
dustrial sections might desert the ma
jority ranks.
The message and immediate intro
duction of bill giving the President
authority to put into effect a new
tariff policy by which he would en-
deavor to re-establish Americas for
eign trade through reciprocal rate re-
duction agreements with foreign pow
ers brought the first major cleavage
between the two parties since Mr..
Roosevelt entered the White House.
It stirred predictions of long strug-
gle over the historic issue.
Republicans Attack Bill.
Even before the bill was introduced
in the House, where it must be con-
sidered first, Republican chieftains
denounced it as an unprecedented del
egation Of power and predicted 1t
would provoke such lengthy debate
as to make an early adjournment i'm
possible
Democrats replied that the legisla-
ton was in keeping with the partys
platform pledge and was necessary
- ,~,;& .tl
doing.
Under the bill introduced. leaders
said the agreements might be extended
indefinitely If the parties desired
However. the agreements could be
terminated at the end Of three years
or earlier, upon due notice by the
governments wishing to end them.
The bill would repeal the Republi-
can formula, commonly known as the
flexible provision" which gives the
Tariff Commission power to recon-
mend changes in the tariff Of as much
as so per cent up or down and for the
President to proclaim or veto such
changes
This power, with the exact so per
cent limitations. would be transferred
to the President. but the later could
not, as under existing law. governing
the Tariff Commission. transfer an
article to or from the free list.
Roosevelt Fears for Trade.
The President told Congress II the
American Government was not in a
position to make fair offers for fair
opportunities. its trade will be super
seded"
Francis B. Sayre, Assistant Secre-
tary of State and son-in-law Of the
late President Wilson, Is expected to
play an important role in negotiating
the reciprocal agreements once the
bill becomes law. Sayre went to the
Capitol yesterday to advise admins
tration pilots about the legislation.
Speaker Rainey promised it would
be given prompt consideration by the
Ways and Means Committee and
added:
I'VE will get It out in a reason
able time SO We can pass it"
Minority Leader McNary Of the
Senate said he was opposed. and !
believe most Republican members of
the Senate are opposed to the sup
preston of the Tariff Commission and
the powers it now exercises under the
flexible provisions of the present tar
i'll law"
Held Vital to Recovery.
Chairman Harrison of the Senate
Finance Committee, which will con-
slider the bill after it comes from the
House, termed the bargaining trade
policy" vital part Of the recovery
program. said 1t was In line with
platform pledges and would give the
President the means whereby he
may cope with what other govern
ments are doing"
An indication that Democrats from
industrial States would not support
the bill unless it limited the life OF
the authority was given by Senator
Walsh, Democrat, of Massachusetts,.
"The bestowal of this sweeping
power on the President would be un-
thinkable except as an emergency
measure" he said.
would be voted.
Senator Reed OF Pennsylvania
ranking Republican on the Finance
Committee. said he was surprised
the President should ask for such
power since he already had the right
under the flexible clause to deal with
any changes in costs of production at
home and abroad by changing rates
as much as so per cent.