The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-05-09
Our Tariff Policy


matter herein are also reserved.
Our Tariff Policy
Most administrations in the last
few years have been swept from Of.
flee because Of tariff policies. Taft's
reciprocity policy lost him congress In
the by-elections. The Smoot tariff
embarrassed Hoover. Mckinley had
considerable trouble with the tariff
manipulators.
OF course, tariff arrangements
should be divorced from politics
They have become so deeply en-
bedded in political strategy and
finesse it is not an easy matter to
remove the tariff from political ex-
pediency.
Henry L. Stimson, leading Re-
publican and one of the most con-
sentative members Of Hoovers cabi-
net. has vigorously endorsed Presi-
dent Roosevelt's plan for tariff
changes. Roosevelt would have con-
gress give him power to adjust tariff
rates to meet international trade con-
ditions. The proposal for such power
is to be vigorously opposed In con-
gress because the tariff Is something
congress dearly likes to have solely
within its own Jurisdiction.
Inflexibility of our tariff regula-
tons doubtless has slowed down for
eign trade. II the depression Is ever
to lift completely, Uncle Sans for
eign trade must be restored to a
greater volume.
All the various nostrums resorted
to under the New Deal may give us
a temporary domestic trade stimulus
but always overhanging is the great
slump in our foreign trade. Demand
for American goods in foreign mar
kets will start the wheels Of industry,
create more and better markets for
the farmers and end unemployment.
Stimson, in a recent radio address,
stressed this situation, speaking not
as a narrow partisan or vote-seek-
ing congressman but as q student Of
public affairs and an economist Of
no mean reputation. His logic is
much to be preferred over the TRADE
of Congressman Hamilton Fish who
attacked the plan to give the presi-
dent, under strict limitations, power
to revise tariff rates through recip-
rocal agreements with foreign nations.
Other nations have more flexible tar
if policies than ours. They beat
Uncle Sam to the business because
our tariff commission Is so circum-
scribed and limited as to be almost
useless. Fish merely talked politics
when he opposed the tariff plan Of
President Roosevelt. stimson took
the proper attitude, although he OPP
posed many of the undesirable
schemes Of the New Deal
European soil cannot support the
millions Of people comprising its pop
ulation. Europe and Asia must i'm
port foodstuffs in vast quantities as
well as manufactured goods. While
Uncle Sam has been sleeping there
have been international trade agree
ments which have left him out in
the cold. Our war debts, too, are in
volved in the situation. Certain fea-
lures Of the international debt ar
rangements between the Unite d
States and other nations initiate
against this country getting its share
Of foreign business.
Speedy adjustment Of tariff rates
and international debts means better
will and more business for Uncle Sam.
This nation can continue in the role
OF q hard-boiled creditor too long.
Many Of its best customers can no
longer step up to our bargain coun-
ter. II the situation is to continue
our standard of living must drop
and crop SURPRISES continue to en-
barrass the agricultural sections.
This nations role Of chief creditor
to the world, under q proper foreign
policy, should bring much foreign
trade to our shores. Conversely, how
ever. the debt situation has largely
closed the world markets to us. We
are getting little on the notes we hold
and good will and trade are dimin-
ishine.
It IS quite significant that Great
Britain Is coming out OF her depres-
sion. Income taxes have been re.
duced. Our volume Of business has
the lowest index figure among al The
great powers and our taxes are soar.
ing. Here would seem the place Il
begin. IN m effective way. to end thu
depression and bring business bacl
70 normal, healthy volume.
Music Week
In common with the rest Of thT
state and nation, Bismarck this weel
follows the lead Of its many flint
.e..~A~ ~1.ea,~ a~ sn>~,lss~ $~a1ss&> - <1nI