Evening star., 1943-05-17
Trade Pact Program
Necessary 10 Insure
Peace, Hull Says
Tells Senate Committee
Action Is First Test Of
Nations Postwar Policy

Action Is First Test of
Nations Postwar Policy
BY J. A. O'LEARY.
Continuance OF the reciprocal
trade agreement program will be
one OF the essential factors
needed to insure world peace
after this war, Secretary of State
Hull told the Senate Finance
Committee today.
Opening hearings on the resolution
already passed by House, extending
the program for two more years,
Mr.. Hull declared trade agreements
alone will not accomplish lasting
peace. but 1t cannot be accom-
plished without them"
BY this time, the Secretary began,
"it should be crystal clear that dur
ing the interval between the two
World Wars there were committed
some OF the most colossal blunders
in the history of the human race"
Otherwise, he said, the world would
not be in its present critical condi-
ton.
Called Test of Nations Stand.
In acting on the pending resolu-
ton, Congress is facing the first
significant test of this countrys
future attitude toward the world,
he said. After the last war the coun-
try faced the same issue, "and we
have paid terrible price" he added,
because some Of the answers were
not clear cut. In the decade imme-
diately following the last war, he
said the trade barriers that had been
erected were overcome only by the
loans made to other countries, which
stimulated trade.
But that unhealthy situation
could not and did not continue
long" the Secretary added.
I'm this first test of postwar pei
Icy. Congress is being asked not to
commit the country to some new
and untried experiment." said the
Secretary.
Developments since the extension
resolution was introduced in the
House show how the world is watch
Ing to see what this country's course
will be, Mr.. Hull declared, and ex-
cept in the Axis countries, the uni
verSal hope is for its continuance
IN the Interests of cooperation and
fair dealing.
May Seek to Restore Cut.
Efforts are expected to be made in
the Senate by administration forces
to restore the original three e-year ex-
tension period, which the House cut
to two years.
Emphasizing that the Trade
Agreement Act Of 1884 is a definite
and limited grant of power. Mr.. Hull
said no one would ask Congress for
an unlimited grant of power over
tariffs"
While not opposing extension of
the act, some lawmakers, now and in
the past, have argued Congress
should pass on the agreements be-
fore they take effect Moves in that
direction failed in the House, but
may be attempted again in the
Senate.
Amendment Planned.
Senator Maloney, Democrat, of
Connecticut announced earlier he
would offer an amendment to the
House-approved enabling legislation
which would require approval of fu-
ture trade agreements by two-thirds
vote of the Senate.
ut may be argued that no worth
while trade agreements can be made
in war period such as this" Sena-
tor Maloney told reporters, but I
am not interested in that. I believe
these agreements are treaties and
should be ratified as such"
Senator La Toilette, Progressive,
OF Wisconsin said he would press for
action on the Maloney amendment
after the committee completes a
schedule of brief hearings on a
which would extend for
two years the authority of the
executive branch to grant tariff re-
ductions up to so per cent in return
for concessions by other nations.
Taft Fears Competition.
Under the most favored nation"
principle, other countries which do
not discriminate against United
States products obtain the benefits
Of such lowered tariffs and Senator
Taft, Republican, of Ohio said he
was afraid that some major issues
such as the postwar importation of
rubber duty free to COM
pete with synthetic-might develop |
from agreements made with rela-
lively minor countries.
Senators Taft and Danaher, Re-
publican, of Connecticut are pre-
pairing an amendment which would
end all agreements six months after |
the war ends.
While bipartisan opposition is ex-
pected to CONCEAL behind these and
other proposed amendments. there
are indications the minority will be
fairly we'll satisfied if it can hold
the extension of the authority to
two years instead of three as orig
inally asked by Secretary HUI
On the basis OF expressions by
Senators, that seemed the most they
could hope for in the matter of
restrictions on a measure that ap-
parently has majority support in
the Senate.
Soyre Calls Trade Pocts
Foundation for Peace
A1r11r xznpK Ma. II IN E.a.