The Sauk Centre herald., 1940-02-08
CAPITOL
A-Ne2NS
BY Congressman Knutson
TRADE HEARINGS CLOSE

BY CONGRESSMAN Knutso,
TRADE HEARINGS CLOSE
After more than two weeks oi
hearings on the proposal to extend
the life Of the Reciprocal Trade
law for another three years, dur.
ing which time we heard scores OF
businessmen, representatives OF
agriculture, not to mention a dozen
or more Congressman, the hearings
were brought to a close last Satur-
day, the last witness being DR.. John
Lee Golfer, formerly PRESIDENT CT
the North Dakota Agricultural
College,, who is opposed to the
whole program.
OF the ten or more Congressman
who appeared, all but one were op-
posed to an extension, the sole ex-
ception being Representative
from Oklahoma, who emphatically
stated that the cattlemen in his
section were not opposed to the
program. It is significant that in
the January issue of "The Cattle
man" published in Fort Worth,
Texas, this Congressman is listed
as having purchased 1897 big
steers in Mexico a few weeks back.
Evidently he wants to continue to
buy his feeders in that country. 1t
is my information that the cattle
men in his district will take care OF
him upon his return home.
A number Of Representatives
from oil states came before us for
the sole purpose of pleading for oil.
They were very evasive when ask
ed if they would help give pro-
lection to other parts of the coun-
try when it Is shown that increased
protection is necessary. Evidently
Winfield Scott Hancock, Democra-
tic candidate for President in 1880,
was not far wrong when he declar-
ed that the tariff is local issue.
DOUGHTON CHANGES MIND
In a former letter I called atten-
ton to the fact that Chairman
Doughton Of the Ways and Means
Committee, had announced that he
would retire next January after
thirty years Of distinguished SER
vice in the House. AS Chairman OF
the Ways and Means Committee
during the past seven years, Mr
Doughtcn has welded influence
that was second only to that Of the
President.
When his constituents in North
Carolina heard of Mr.. .Doughton's
decision they began a lombard
ment with personal calls and mess
ages urging him to reconsider his
decision. I understand that many
from other parts of the South took
the same position. They did not
relish the idea Of losing the ser
vices of a thoroughly experienced
legislator who had always looked
after their interests. Then, too
Mr.. Doughton would have beer
succeeded by Congressman Cutler
of New York and that did no
appeal to the Southern Democrats
who now hold % of the As chair
manships. With the exception o.
the Appropriations Committee the!
hold all the important chairman
ships, which gives them control o.
the House. Mr.. Doughton reall,
wanted to retire. He is II years o.
age and has worked hard all hi!
Life However, the pressure
brought to bear on him was too
strong to resist and he has an
nounced that he will again he 6
candidate. This Is distinctly to tn,
nations gain.
A GOOD SUGGESTION
The suggestion of Senator Wand
enberg that the Tariff Commission
be abolished and a foreign trad,
board set up under control O
Congress to study the whole ques
ton of foreign commerce, tariffs
quotas, etc., Is meeting with con
siderable favor. The board woult
sit continuously and pass upoI
developments as they arise, making
recommendations to Congress from
time to time that would enable VI
to meet changing conditions in ex
ports. imports and foreign ex
change.
It is particularly dangerous t.
have the tariff bars down at thi
time when foreign exchange i
rapidly declining. which gives th'
foreigner a big advantage over tn
American in the home market be
cause all imports are given thei
valuation at the point of origin
while there Is not any immediate
prospect Of Senator Vandenbergt
proposal being favorably acted up
on now, some day the change will
he made. AS a matter Of fact, w
will be compelled to make it.
A WORTHY PROJECT
The President has transmitted t
Congress a recommendation for tn
construction Of limited number o
small hospitals in particular.
needy communities. The Pres
ident's proposal will be commende'
by every right-thinking person, bu
it Is unfortunate that he waited un
til he had scraped the bottom o
the bin before espousing such
worthy program. Three or fou
+<++t<<<++++++<t+t<<<+<'