Evening star., 1934-05-02
Member of the Associated Press.
Tariff Hearings.

President Roosevelt, the Democratic
conference of the Senate was told Mon
day night by Senator Pat Harrison,
is willing to have the reciprocal tariff
bill amended so as to permit hear
ing of interested parties before any
agreement is entered into finally with
a foreign nation looking to lowering
of American duties. This seems to be
decidedly step in the right direc-
ton. American industry-that part
OF it which both has and needs tariff
protection-does not relish the idea
of q perpetual sword Of Damocles
hanging over its head
1t has been said repeatedly by ad-
ministration spokesmen that Ameri-
can industry need have nothing to
fear from the operation of the recip-
rocai tariff bill in the hands Of Pres
ident Roosevelt. But to hard-headed
industry it seems any reciprocal trade
agreement entered into by this coun-
try will mean that in return for IA
vors the United States will grant
favors to the other nations involved.
1t is always difficult to get something
for nothing if the something is worth
while. One industry does not like the
idea of being traded of for some ad-
vantage which may or may not accrue
to some other industry. Under the
tariff bill as it passed the House such
a trade might be consummated by the
President without any notice to the
industry disastrously affected.
So the news that the President is
willing to have hearing Of interested
parties before entering into reciprocal
trade agreements, especially where
a reduction of the tariff is contem-
plated, is particularly welcome. While
the language of the amendment pro-
posed has not been announced, it is
said that the conduct and method
of these hearings will be left entirely
to the President-they may not be
public hearings. Just how secrecy
could be imposed on representatives
of an industry who believed that
that they were about to be given a
raw deal is not clear.
The plan for reciprocal trade agree
ments, designed to break down, if
possible, the barriers that have been
raised against international trade,
commends itself, particularly for the
end which is sought. 1t is an end
which generally will be applauded 1t
is a chance, of course, which Ameri-
can industry will have to take under
this proposed law. If success crowns
the efforts of the American traders
the value of the plan may be very
great. The proof of the pudding will
be in the eating. Henry L. Stimson,
former Secretary of State in the
Hoover administration, has expressed
his belief in the efficacy of the reci-
procity tariff bill and has discounted
its dangers. His opinion comes as a
sad blow to some of his Republican
friends who are intent upon making
the reciprocal tariff measure an issue
in the approaching campaign. Mr..
Stimson clearly is thinking more of
recovery of business in the United
States than of politics.
The Democrats in the Senate are
declared to be almost solidly back of
this tariff measure. They are pre-
pared to go along with the President
in this matter, since he is pressing
it and since they do not desire to
appear at odds with the administration
on the eve of the congressional cam
paign. The promise of hearings
now given will make the bill more
palatable.