Evening star., 1934-03-10
TARIFF PLAN HELD |
TO AID COMMERCE.
Dickinson Tells Committee
New Policy Would Re-
Vive Markets.

Continued From First Page.)
he said. was for the protection of the
American workman end farmer and
that there was no idea to displace
industry"
Contending that protection of
American industry against foreign
competition should outrank reciprocal
tariff negotiations in congressional
consideration of a new tariff policy,
James A. Farrell, former chairman
of the United States Steel Corporation,
yesterday recommended that the ad-
ministration's legislation be dras-
tically revised, and listed recon-
mendations of the chamber, which he
described as more in keeping with
reasonable coordination of our ma
tional and our international inter-
eStS."
Would Limit Cut.
They follow:
That. in granting authority to
make tariff changes in the interest of
reciprocal tariff negotiations, the
Congress write into the law the
definite limitation that no rate be
lowered to a point where American
industry and agriculture shall be sub
Jected to destructive foreign compe-
tition.
That the flexible provisions of the
tariff act be maintained, embodying a
basic controlling formula, laid down
by the Congress, according to which
shall be determined the adequate
protective level at which individual
tariff rates shall be set
That. through tariff adjustment
board or other inStrumentality and In
advance of such board making its
recommendations to the President,
there be tull opportunity for American
businesses. likely to be affected by con-
templated reciprocal tariffs, or other
tariff changes, to present testimony as
to the incidence upon their respective
enterprises Of such changes"
Holds Reciprocity Secondary.
"Our organization" Farrell said,
has long adhered to the principle
that there should be reasonable pro-
lection for American industries sub
ject to destructive competition from
abroad and which are of benefit to any
considerable section of the country
This, We think. should be the first
consideration. Reciprocal tariff ne
gotiations should be secondary to it."
Robert L. O'Brien, chairman Of the
Federal Tariff Commission. earlier in
the day had proposed broadening of
the proposal to authorize the Presi-
dent to put articles on or remove them
from the free list.
The measure authorizes the Presi-
dent to adjust existing tariff rates up
or down by so per cent in negotiating
foreign trade pacts.
II think it should 90 a great deal
farther" said O'Brien in urging this
bill ought to take in the free list"
Charges Discrimination.
Several times during the day the
committee INDUCED in rows over
Chairman Doughton's plan to con-
clUde hearings on the measure today.
Representative Treadway. Republican,
Of Massachusetts, charged the Demo-
Gratis were cutting off opponents and
industrialists" from giving their views
on the measure.
Doughton said he would try to give
the opponents as much time as the
proponents, Secretaries Hull, Wallace
and Roper. and O'Brien had received.
Chairman Doughton said after yes
terdays hearing he thought the meas
ure as presented by the administra-
tion would be reported with possibly
one amendment making 1t an emer-
gency measure and limiting 1t to three
years.
Farrell told the committee "the
policy of bargaining our way to the
markets of the world by means of
reciprocal trade agreements is one
to which Congress should give careful
consideration"
Our reciprocal trade agreements
should be based on the unconditional
most characterization principle" he
contended. "and for this reason
should avoid quotas and other arti-
fetal plans inconsistent with this
principle"
Charges Fallacy.
Disputing the testimony of the
three cabinet members, Farrell said:
The fallacy that international
trade means a dollar-for-do trade
between two countries is the false
premise upon which this idea of bar
ter rests
IF we follow the path of sane inter-
nationaliSm in our trade policies, we
shall avoid in negotiations with any
country deals that discriminate
against other countries with whom it
is necessary to maintain satisfactory
trade relations"
Farrell said the pending bill. while
placing a so per cent limitation upon
the authority to modify duties. and
also prohibiting the transfer of any
article between the dutiable and free
lists, does not contain the much more
essential basic tariff formula of basing
rates of duty, applying to any COM
modify, on the principle of equalizing
foreign and domestic production costs
plus transportation.
When Congress delegates to the
is of first Importance that Congress
give indication to the Executive of
its idea as to consistent tariff
policy" ne emphasized.
nnHFn 10 AnnIIlTTn