Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-05-11
House Republicans
Meet 10 Map Fight
For Trade Pact Veto
Vote Is Due Tomorrow
On Bill to Extend
Reciprocity Program
By the Associated Press.

tons that an attempt would be
made to line up the party solidly
behind a move to apply congress
sional veto checks on President
Roosevelt's reciprocal trade
agreements.
The party meeting. with Minority
Leader Martin presiding, was set
for the House chamber prior to
opening of the second day of debate
on a measure extending the Presi-
dents trading authority for another
three years.
Meanwhile, Democratic leaders
frightened their lines in an effort to
beat down the veto" amendment,
which they argued would deal a
death blow to the whole reciprocity
program. A vote is due tomorrow.
Charges Fly in Debate.
Exchanges in the debate gave a
hint of issues that probably will re-
vertebrate in the 1914 presidential
campaign, as Democrats accused Re-
pubGcans of "isolationism'' and
heard themselves described as fos-
tering an effort to shape the post
war world by a New Deal" blue
print.
Majority Les der Mccormack
charged that "as far as the Repub-
lican party in the House is con-
cerned, we're going to have a repeti-
ton of isolationism and trade bar
riers. = It's policy which leads
to war"
That was challenged by Repre-
sentative Fish, Republican, of New
York, who declared it was sheer
hypocrisy, bunkum and falsehood"
to say that the trade agreements
had something to do with preserv-
ing the peace" Mr.. Fish charged
that the idea had been sold through
mass propaganda, especially to
women's groups which are writing
to u.s."
With leaders of both patries seek
Ing to organize their forces on the
issue of the veto" amendment,
there were indications there would
be considerable crossings of party
lines in the voting, as some Demo-
Gratis were known to favor the
amendment and a number of Re-
publicans indicated opposition.
Present Pacts Not Affected.
The amendment would give Con-
gress the right to pass on any trade
agreements within 80 days of their
submission.
Representative Woodruff, Repub-
lican, of Michigan said it should
be made clear that if Congress de-
clined to renew the Presidents trad
ing authority the q pacts now in
force would not be disturbed.
The trade pact program was de-
scribed by Representative Knutson,
Republican, of Minnesota as "a sue
cession of dismal failures" and Rep
resentative Plumley, Republican. of
Vermont said that in its present
form it would lead to IAN interna-
.tional New Deal"
The Vermonter denied he was an
"isolationist" and said he supported
the Presidents war program 100 per
cent, but this is not a war meas
ure,' and the other nations, he said,
knew that.
Mr.. Plumley also professed great
respect and admiration for Cordell
Hull, whom he described as 'one Of
the greatest statesmen who has
ever discharged the duties of the
high Office of Secretary of State"
However, he said Mr.. Hull, Frank
B. Kellogg and Newton D. Baker
were "dreamers of dreams" and that
these trade treaties are tWo-edged
swords. both sides of which will cut
their throats."
Free Trade Policy Opposed.
Mr., Plumley said he opposed IAN
unlimited free trade policy under
the guise of good neighborliness,
adding that good fences make good
neighbours"
1t is not reciprocity, decidedly
not, to destroy our industries. put
our employees out of work, just to be
q good fellow and a good neighbor.
Until we win this war, they the
bureaucrats) and we had better
soft-pedal lot of this molly -coddle
nonsense which makes us look soft
and putty like and even foolish to
those very people who expect and
intend to profit by our hypocritical
benevolence.
t." - The suggestion that other
nations may be offended if we I'M
dertake to protect ourselves and to
run our own business according to
our own form of Government is an
argument reductio ad absurdum.'
The Republicans charged that the
Trade Act, born in 1884, was con-
trary to the Constitution. They con-
tended it delegates to the Executive
the tariff and treaty-making powers
reserved for Congress.
Doughton Defends Proposal.
Opening the debate, Chairman
Doughton of the Ways and Means
Committee called for renewal of the
trade authority without any Grip
ping amendments, declaring any
other course would be a move to-
ward isolationism and a cause for
"jubllation in the chancelleries of
Hitler, Hirohito and Mussolini'
Mr.. Doughton said the coming vote
would afford an opportunity for the
minority party to forever dispel the
charge that they are isolationists."
Saying, The eyes of the world are
focused on this legislative body he
declared the "clear-cut" issue was:
Shall we continue along the en-
lightened and progressive course
which recognizes that our last hope
of civilization lies in the develop
ment of international harmony
among the family of nations, or
shall we revert to the policy of near
sighted selfishness which has proved
so disastrous in the past?"
Mr.. Knutson said the reciprocal
trade program had failed to expand
our export markets for agriculture,
1t failed to preserve world peace,
and it has failed to lay founda-
ton for peace" He added:
IF it be true that the goodwill
OF other nations may be bought with