Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-01-31
Normal World Trade
Aim Of Reciprocal
Pacts, Says Hull
Goal Same as Thut
Voiced by Chamberlain,
Secretary Tells Press
By GARRETT ID. HORNER.

BY GARRETT d. HORNER.
Secretary of State Hull said today
that a statement by Prime Minister
Chamberlain that one of Great Brit
aims foremost war aims was to re-
store normal trade among nations
expressed a primary purpose OF
American economic policy as en-
bodied in the reciprocal trade pro-
gram.
This purpose, the secretary ex-
planned at his press conference, is to
strive to keep the nations of the
world from gravitating toward au-
tarch and economic totalitarianism
and, at the same time, aid in point
ing the world toward economic re-
covery.
More and more nations are becom-
ing aware of the Importance of this
policy of facilitating international
trade, Mr. Hull added.
He said he confidently believed
that soon there will not only be uni
versal acceptance of this policy, but
also increasing vocal support OF 1t
by other nations.
Comments on Tobin Stand.
The Secretary's comment was in
response to a request for his reac-
ton to the speech by Mr.. Chamber
lain, in which the British Prime
Minister said England was anxious
to avoid friction and disturbance Of
trade with the United States and
other neutral nations, and aimed
to restore full normal trade.
Mr.. Hull also was asked for COM
ment on an editorial by Daniel j.
Tobin, president of the Interna-
tional Union of Transfers, urging
that Congress renew the administra-
tons authority to negotiate recip-
rocal trade agreements, which Is
due to expire June II.
Mr.. Hull said he was impressed by
the fact that as various groups in
labor, industry and agriculture as
certain more fully the beneficial ef-
fects of the reciprocal trade pro-
gram, they were more and more dis
posed to give it active support.
LUMBER OrOup bdCkS avs.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for lum-
Der manufacturers called today for
continuation of the administrator
trade agreements program, but pro-
posed four major restrictions.
Wilson Compton, secretary OF the
National Lumber Manufacturers
Association, told the House Ways
and Means Committee that the
program should be carried on, not
abandoned in midocean," according
to the Associated Press.
1--WE think, however" he added,
that it should be restricted by
statute to a more clearly defined
range, and not with such wide
open administrative discretions as
heretofore.
Would Restrict Concessions.
He proposed:
/. That the authority to make
concessions should be restricted to
reductions in tariff rates and to i'm
port quota determinations.
2. That the authority not include
the power to bind" or freeze" a
commodity on the free list.
8. That whatever tariff rates are
fixed in a trade agreement continue
to be subject to the so-called "fex-
ible' provisions Of the Tariff Act
OF 1880.
4. That publication of all proposed
concessions be made for a period of
perhaps so days before they be-
come binding.
1.-THE exercise of a power of gov
eminent" Mr.. Compton told the
committee, whether legislative or
administrative, on gigantic scale
to build up one section at the ex-
pense of another, or to take away
from one industry and give to an
other-even though in the conf
dent hope and expectation that I'LL
timately all will gain-should not
be concluded in secret"
Agreements Praised.
In his editorial appearing in the
unions official magazine Mr. Tobin
said:
ut is our opinion that the trade
agreements are a help to our coun-
try, our Government and especially
to our organization" He mentioned
particularly increased trucking for
his union members as result of
increased foreign trade.
The Tobin statement emphasizes
conflicts of opinion among organized
labor leaders on value of the trade
program.
A recent statement by the Wage
# Farmers Protective Conference of
the American Federation of Labor,
opposing continuance of the act and
calling for abrogation of existing
trade agreements, brought denial
from President William Green that
the A. F. of L. had taken any Off
cial action opposing the program.
Mr.. Tobin, leading figure in the
A. F.. of L. official family, said in
his editorial that 1--WE cannot help
thinking that there is some political
prejudice and personal feeling pred
icating the opposition to the trade
agreements
He denied statements "by some
labor men" that the agreements are
throwing down tariff walls and tend
ing to break down the wage scales of
American workers. II am informed
that the trade agreements in nearly
every instance give the United States
the better part of the bargain" he
said.