Evening star., 1945-04-26
Trade Hearing Brings
Party Dispute Over
Tariff Pact Secrets
BY ]. A, O'LEARY,

Republicans and Democrats on
the House Ways and Means Com
mittee became embroiled in a new
squabble today over whether the
State Department should disclose
specific items on which tariff con-
cessions were discussed but not
granted in reciprocal trade agree
ments. =
At the height of the argument
Republicans charged gag rule" and
"steamroller tactics. and fGom the
Democrats came the retort that
the minority was trying to bring
out secret State Department files.
Secretary Of Agriculture Wickard
was testifying at the time and thu
committee debate ended when Mr.
Wickard suggested he would pre-
fer to have committee members put
those questions 70 the State De-
partment.
Awaits Executive Session.
Meanwhile Representative Dingell
Democrat, of Michigan decided to
wait until the committee is in ex-
ecutive session before pressing his
request that q time limit be put on
cross discrimination OF witnesses to
expedite the hearings.
He pointed out today that only
S out OF 81 witnesses have been
heard in the last 10 days and that
at some time in the near future
I'VE should have an understanding
Of how long these hearings will con-
tinue." Yesterday. Mr.. Dingell
charged the Republicans with fili-
clustering in the cross-examination
OF witnesses.
The row over State Department
files began when Representative
Simpson. Republican. of Pennsyl-
vania asked for specific items that
were discussed, but not agreed on,
in negotiating the 1889 trade treaty
with Great Britain.
Robertson Upholds Secrecy.
Representative Robertson. Demo-
crat, of Virginia protested that by
the time We got through making
public the confidential files of the
State Department on % trade agree
ments, we would not have a friend
left in the world" He added that
he never heard Of a congressional
committee calling for secret files OF
the State Department in treaty ne
gotiations, and said he would object
conditionally until the State Depart
ment could say whether the infor-
nation should be given.
Representative Gearhart, Repub-
lican, of California inquired if the
Democrats were repudiating the
Wilson doctrine of open covenants
openly arrived at.
Representative Knutson, Republi-
can, Of Minnesota reminded Mr..
Gearhart that there are IS Demo-
Gratis to 10 Republicans on the COM
mittee and they can run the steam
roller over US here. The gentleman
from California will have his day
in court on the floor of the House. -
Public Discussion Held.
Mr.. Robertson replied that no
trade agreement has been negoti-
ated without public discussion and
hearings on all the items that were
cut.
That is not the information tina,
Is being asked for" the Virginiar
continued. He wants to know the
secret negotiations that went or
after the treaty stages was
reached"
Mr.. Simpson explained that HI
wanted the information because tn.
late President Roosevelt said in rec.
ommending broader trade-agree.
ment bill that this Government ha!
gone As far as it can in obtaining
agreements with some of the coun.
tries under the so per cent reduction
limit.
The pending bill would permit re.
ductions to an aggregate of Is pei
cent under the 1890 tariff law. Mr.
Simpson said he had numerous re.
quests from constituents to 4knov
what items might be cut under the
new bill.
The present Trade Agreement Act
expires June II.
Do you know that = college edu
cation for your child costs abou
$4,000? Your regular purchase o.
War Bonds will come In handy fol
Il l.