Evening star., 1945-05-22

joy this debate. 1t will be like ole
times. The Republicans, to be sure
won't go all out for prohibitive
tariffs; they can't do that in the
light of last years platform in
dorsing the reciprocal trade agree
ment policy. But in opposing any
increase in the percentage of cuts
that may be made-as in caucus
last week they informally decided
to do-they will be able to ring all
the old familiar changes on the
tariff tune.
On the subject of the tariff there
are still a lot of Republicans in
Congress whose feelings are ex-
pressed by the song of the Southern
Rebel-"I won't be reconstructed
and I do not give damn" This
came out pretty clearly in the hear
ings before the House Ways and
Means Committee. Old-time tariff
addfcts, such as Knutson of Mime
sofa, are still making bitter faces
and refusing to swallow their medi-
cine in anything except diluted
form.
Hears Charles Taft.
One day the committee heard
Charles P. Taft as a witness for the
State Department, the latest eff
cient wartime service in which this
son of the former President and
Chief Justice has engaged. Mr.
Taft had first to establish the fact
that he is Republican. He told
that he had voted for Gov. Dewey
and that he had been a floor man.
ager for his brother, Senator Rob-
ert A. in the Philadelphia conven-
ton that didn't nominate him.
You folks are very anxious to get
this legislation out of the way by
the 18th of June. are you not?" said
Representative Knutson.
yes" said Mr.. Taft, because the
authority would run out on that
date"
Then" demanded Representa-
tive Knutson, why did they wait
until April Is to bring it up?"
The State Department was up to
its ears in other work." said Mr.
Taft.
And then we are to work night
and day to make UP for your laxity?''
asked Representative Knutson.
IT wouldn't call it laxity," said Mr.
Taft.
THE bill was introduced March
49," interposed Representative Jere
Cooper of Tennessee.
We'll March 49," said Representa-
tive Knutson. That is 10 or IL
weeks"
I'VE waited two weeks for you be-
cause of your health" said Mr..
Cooper.
Il thank you," said Mr.. Knutson,
"and I am sure you are glad to see
that my health is fully restored"
"If your health were involved"
said Mr.. Cooper, I'VE would adjourn
a week right now to help you out
We'll, let us adjourn" said Mr.
Knutson.
Wants Yes or No.
If you think that little exchange
got nowhere, listen to the following
between Mr.. Taft and Representa-
tive Gearhart of California. Mr.
Gearhart had said he wanted "yes'
or mo" answers to his questions
One of his questions:
''Is it not a fact that when we In
our treaty with Mexico cut the tariff
on tomatoes from to ~ cents that
a Mexican agency of some kind i'm
mediately put on an export tariff
for the same amount? We don't
want quibbling answers, we want the
truth"
Mr.. Taft endeavored to explain
that the increase was four -tenths OF
l cent.
Mr.. Gearhart: Now that is very
very interesting" Mr.. Taft: so the
answer to your question is, NO. -
Mr.. Gearhart: And you took ad-
vantage of the fact that I said the
same amount to say categorically
Mop" Mr.. Taft: mo. I read the
answer to you first and then I said
my answer was, No" Mr.. Gear
hart: "Yes." Mr.. Taft: And it is
still NO" Mr.. Gearhart: Eyes, and