Evening star., 1934-03-02
PRESIDENT SEEKS
TARIFF POWERS
Message to Congress Asks
Grant of Authority to
Aid Recovery.
Continued From First Page.)

(COnt1nued from F1rSt FaSe.)
his request for authority to deal with
the tariff duties. However, 1t is ex-
pected that the bill which will be in
troduced in the House to grant the
President the authority he desires will
fix the SO per cent limit.
The Presidents request for authority
to deal with the tariff is expected to
stir up debate and opposition. Re
publican members Of Congress have
declared already their opposition to a
grant of such powers.
In his message to Congress the
President recommended that the trade
agreements entered into shall be
terminable within a period not to ex-
ceed three years.
"A shorter period" said the Pres
ident, probably would not suffice for
putting the program into effect"
Expressing the opinion that action
on the tariff and the lowering of trade
barriers was opportune, the President
pointed out that world trade has de-
cl1ned with startling rapidity.
Trade Decline Cited.
The message declared that, meas
ured in terms of goods by volume in
1888, world trade has decreased to
approximately 10 per cent Of its 1929
volume. and, measured in terms of
dollars, it has fallen to 35 per cent
The President pointed out that
the loss OF foreign trade to the United
States has been even greater. Amer
ican exports in 1893 were only So per
cent of the 1929 volume and 80 per
cent of the 1929 value.
The President warned Congress that
1t should not expect quick results,
however. from a grant of authority to
make reciprocal trade agreements.
"The successful building up of trade
without injury to American producers
depends upon the cautious and grad
ual evolution Of plans" he said.
In this connection the President
said the disposition of other coun-
tries to grant an improved place to
American products should be care
fully sounded and considered" The
attitude of each country would in
f1uence strongly Americas course of
action.
He said that with countries which
are not willing to give up purely re-
strictive national program or to make
any concessions toward the re-estab-
lishment of international trade, no
headway will be possible.
Sees Broad Benefits.
The President laid great stress on
the need for careful consideration of
American interests so that they shall
not be injuriously disturbed. He ex-
pressed the hope, however. that the
policy now proposed by him, looking
to reciprocal trade agreements. will
result in the end in definite gains to
both American agriculture and in
dustry. He mentioned particularly
cotton, tobacco, hog products, rice
and fruits as among the important
branches Of agriculture which should
find expanded opportunities under
these proposed trade agreements.
Much stress was laid. too, by the
President on the need for prompt
action by this and other nations in
the development of foreign trade. The
fact that it has contracted has
meant unemployment and despairing
farm households. While the United
States possesses within its borders
necessary diversity and balance to
maintain rounded national life, the
President said, the country must
sustain activities vital to national
defense.
Nd such interests are to be sacrificed
for passing advantage in reciprocal
trade agreements. The President
argued, however, that a full and
permanent domestic recovery depends,
in part, upon a strength in interna-
tional trade and he pointed out that
American exports cannot be per-
manently increased without a cor
responding increase in imports.
Other Nations Active.
Already other governments are win
ming their share of international trade
by negotiating reciprocal trade agree
ments. The United States, he said,
must be in a position also to make
fair offers for fair opportunities, and
the country must be in position to
move promptly in such matters.
While the President did not say so
in his message, it is this need for
prompt action which is the reason for
not submitting to Congress the recip-
rocal trade agreements for ratification.
The details of the legislation asked
by the President will be left to Con-
gress, it was said at the White House
after the President had transmitted
his message to the House, where it
was read. However, it is understood
a tentative bill already has been
drawn.
Since the measure deals with the
tariff, it must originate in the House,
and will first be considered by the
Ways and Means Committee. Demo-
cratic leaders said they would seek
early action on the bill. They ex-
pressed confidence the authority re-
quested by the President would be
granted An effort will be made to
keep the legislation as brief as pos
Sihle.
Under existing law, the President
has authority tn raise or l0wer nv 50