Evening star., 1934-05-01
Counsel of Manufactures
Group Fears Danger
for Investments.
DEMOCRATS OF SENATE
UNITE BEHIND MEASURE
Supporters Make Concession to
Opposition on Hearings for
Industries.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
James A. Emery, general counsel Of
the National Association of Manufac-
turers, told the Senate Finance Com
mittee today the reciprocal tariff bill
might subject jobs and investments to
uncertainties.
The association, he said, is opposed
to the authorization of the President
TO make trade agreements without re-
ferring them to Congress.
mo greater element of uncertainty
could be added to the present difficult
economic situation" Emery told the
committee. than the prospect of
various industries being vitally az
fected, not only in themselves, but in
their relation to all other industries,
by the prospect Of tariff changes made
without their knowledge vitality affect
ing their employing capacity.
Would Give so Per Cent Leeway.
Neither the jobs of employees nor
the investment of individuals, part
ners or stockholders should be sub
jected to the uncertainties of agree
ments modifying foreign competition
without a day in court"
The measure before the committee
woud empower the President in nego-
tiating trade pacts to change existing
tariff schedules as much as so per
cent
While the President should be
allowed to work out trade agreements
to advance foreign trade. Emery said.
he should be compelled to submit
them to Congress unless he were left
no discretion to regulate commerce
or to determine "the rules under
which imports are to be taxed or
their admission restricted"
Asserting the tariff bill would not
do so, the counsel said definite time
limits should be placed upon trade
agreements because of instability Of
currency and the generally rapid
change in economic conditions"
Back in 1929. Emery said, Demo-
| cratic finance committeeman, then In
a minority. issued a statement object
ing to flexible tariff adjustment
"4S44A1l SCNcIC
Democrats Almost Solid.
This. he added. was far less author
ity than the pending bill would bestow
on the President.
Despite this and other opposition
testimony, Senate Democrats presented
| an almost solid front today for enact
ment of the bill.
The array of strength for the bill
came after its supporters had made a
substantial concession to a growing
opposition. The accepted modifica-
ton would grant industries an execu-
tive hearing before their tariff protec.
tion was changed by treaty.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas. the
| majority leader. announced after a
party conference last night that
President Roosevelt would accept the
| amendment, provided the hearings
were not public
Throwing such hearings open, Rob-
inson said, would impair the effec-
tiveness and benefit of arrangements
in contemplation
Robinson denied the purpose of the
change was to placate the opposition.
He said:
"The hearing amendment is a fair
suggestion and will improve the bill. -
The procedure as to how industries
could state their views would be left
to the Presidents discretion.
At the outset of the Finance Com
mittee's hearing today, strong oppo-
sltion to the bill from wool interests
was expressed
Fred r. Marshall, secretary OF the
National Wool Growers Association,
told the committee the wool people
favored keeping tariff rates in the
hands of Congress instead of permit
ting their change by the President.
Wool Growers Uncertain.
Fear that the bill inevitably would
bring reduced tariffs" was Marshalls
second point of opposition.
Even the introduction of the bill
created general condition of business
uncertainty, he said, and this uncer-
tainty had already reached wool
growers.
Since the bill passed the House and
statement was attributed to Secre-
tary Wallace that wool was among the
commodities that might be forced to
make some sacrifices in building I'D
American markets abroad, Marshall
said, there has been a complete
cessation Of activity" In the Western
wool market.
The wool business, he added, had
been practically paralyZed" by the
uncertainty of the last four weeks.
He blamed the tariff bill. and WAL
lace's statement.
Marshal asserted that testimony of
Robert L. O'Brien, Republican chair
men of the Tariff Commission, that
the commission was a subservient
body also adversely affected the wool
industry.
Harmony In Views.
Forty-five Of the so Democrats in
the Senate attended last nights
party meeting. Robinson declared
there was "a gratifying harmony of
views" although mo effort was made
to adopt rule binding on members"
Robinson did say two or three Sen
ators indicated a doubt" as to the
constitutionality of the legislation.
Robinson said he expected the bill
would be reported by the Finance
Committee Thursday, but he was not
certain when 1t would be taken up
by the Senate. He indicated 1t might
be the last measure considered before
adjournment.
IN ~