Evening star., 1936-09-28


agreements negotiated by Roosevelt's
Secretary of State, Corden Hull, and
declaring that Landon Is right only
in part in his criticism of the Hull
treaties.
The editorial was in comment on
Mr.. Landon's speech at Minneapolis,
and reads in part as follows:
"The Star believes the Governor is
right in saying that the reduction of
farm production in this country to
the needs of the domestic market is
policy of despair. 1t is in hearty
agreement with his fundamental pur-
poses in stimulating foreign trade.
But because it is in agreement with
these purposes, it supports the Hull
agreements as the most effective tariff
measure to realize them under ex-
tsting conditions.
Praised as Constructive.
"Of course, the agreements are not
perfect. Legitimate criticism may be
urged against certain details of the
methods employed. But, by and large,
the adoption of the Hull policy seems
to this newspaper one of the really
constructive achievements of the
New Deal.
"Gov. Landon urged some valid OBJ
jections against the present method
of negotiating the agreements and
putting them into effect. But imper-
feet as these methods are, they are
infinitely better than the scandalous
log-rolling Of general tariff revision
by Congress-and there is every rea-
son to believe that specific reciprocal
treaties or agreements submitted to
the Senate or to Congress would be
murdered by highly organized pres
sure groups.
"Other factors. as well as tariffs,
pointed out-exchange restrictions,
quotas, the ending of political I'M
certainties, general revival of
prosperity. Currency stabilization is
important.
THE problem must be attacked on
many fronts. But so far as tariffs are
concerned, the Hull procedure, in the
Stars opinion, is the one effective
method so far proposed to get the
desired results"
Braves Midwest Hostility.
Coming from a powerful newspaper
IN the heart of the agricultural area,
where the reciprocity treaties have
been under attack, the Kansas City
Stars editorial is strong defense for
policy which many Republicans re-
gretted was so specifically condemned
in the Republican platform in Cleve-
land under the domination, in COM
mittee at least, of high protectionists
in the East.
This writer has all along favored
the Hull agreements and the reci-
procity idea, believing that, while
there are some inequities in the
Canadian treaty, the general purpose
is sound and that the plan ought to
be continued, no matter which party
is elected this November.
This is said advisedly because Presi-
dent Roosevelt was not very strong
for the reciprocity program and is
believed to be still lukewarm about
1t, Secretary Hull having had a hard
time getting the Democratic National
Convention in Philadelphia to cham
pion the reciprocity cause.
One reason for this is that Mr..
Roosevelt knows the political attack
which has been made in the North
west and particularly against Demo-
xr,t,o
specific commodities are involved.
George Peek. who was part of the
New Deal administration, broke with
it on this issue, for, while he believes
in foreign trade enlargement, he is
against the unconditional favored ma
ton clause in negotiating trade agree
ments.
Peek's Views Voiced.
Mr.. Peek had q conference with
Landon at Des Moines, Iowa, last week
and told the press he would not say
until after he read Landon's then
Forthcoming Minneapolis speech
whether he would support the Re-
publican nominee. The Minneapolis
address has portions in it that are
absolutely in accord with Peek s
ideas. These portions came as q
disappointment to the Kansas City
Star and others, who believe that the
way to build up the unconditional
favored nation clause is for America
to crusade for its honest application
by other nations instead of conceding
at the outset that, because it is be-
ing frustrated, it is beyond repair.
This correspondent has received let
ters from readers occasionally who
insist he has not commended the
good things the New Deal has done
Quite the contrary. The policy OF
trade agreements has always received
my approval, just IS believe the re-
cent aid given France in currency
stabilization was step in the right
direction. My only fear Is that the
administration in Washington will
not follow it up, but will leave Europe
to drift in monetary matters, as vel
as trade enlargement, much as We
have done for the last five years
American credit resources are ample
to aid In the rehabilitation of the
European economic situation, which
In turn, will help increase employ.
ment here in the United States. Bu,
the isolationist attitude Of Mr.. Roose-
welt is broken only occasionally by Mr.
Hull's ability to win approval fol
such co-operationist policies as the
reciprocity agreements and the cur.
rency sterilization move last week
In the latest move, Mr.. Hull played
no doubt stimulating part along
side Secretary Morgenthau.
SCopyright, 1e36,)