Hearings & Proceedings: Difference between revisions
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:Chairman Willis Hawley called the tariff revision hearings to order on January 7, 1929. The hearings and testimonies were dominated by groups favoring tariffs and an upward revision in tariff rates [[HSref|( | :Chairman Willis Hawley called the tariff revision hearings to order on January 7, 1929. The hearings and testimonies were dominated by groups favoring tariffs and an upward revision in tariff rates [[HSref|(25)]], including special interest groups representing the industrial sector. This occurred for 3 reasons: | ||
:*Personal contacts with many of the Congressmen. Because of these close relationships, they were able to achieve an upper hand in many regards, including obtaining inside information about the content of the hearings, favorable interpretations of the committee rules, and special concessions which gave them a leg up [[HSref|( | :*Personal contacts with many of the Congressmen. Because of these close relationships, they were able to achieve an upper hand in many regards, including obtaining inside information about the content of the hearings, favorable interpretations of the committee rules, and special concessions which gave them a leg up [[HSref|(26)]]. | ||
:*Reciprocal non-interference. Those wishing for upward tariff revision sought increased duties for their own benefit, but did not oppose duties sought by others [[HSref|( | :*Reciprocal non-interference. Those wishing for upward tariff revision sought increased duties for their own benefit, but did not oppose duties sought by others [[HSref|(27)]]. | ||
:*Economic benefit. Those who wanted tariffs had an economic motive; those who opposed did not [[HSref|( | :*Economic benefit. Those who wanted tariffs had an economic motive; those who opposed did not [[HSref|(28)]]. | ||
:Due to these reasons, the testimonies were heavily biased. Due to this influence from the industrial sector, the bill initially intended to help the farmer soon became a means to raise tariffs in all sectors of the economy [[HSref|( | :Due to these reasons, the testimonies were heavily biased. Due to this influence from the industrial sector, the bill initially intended to help the farmer soon became a means to raise tariffs in all sectors of the economy [[HSref|(29)]]. Eventually, the major issues and points of concern were whittled down to three major topics: | ||
:*General Upward Revision of Tariffs. | :*General Upward Revision of Tariffs. | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
:*Flexible Provision. The Flexible Provision Clause granted the President power to adjust tariff rates, granting the President powers similar to those seen in the Fordney-McCumber Act. | :*Flexible Provision. The Flexible Provision Clause granted the President power to adjust tariff rates, granting the President powers similar to those seen in the Fordney-McCumber Act. | ||
:*Debenture Clause. The Debenture Clause was created to help the agricultural sector. In this plan, the government would give vouchers to exporters of certain agricultural goods equal to fifty percent of the duty that would be paid according to the tariff schedules. This would cause competition between the exporters to obtain the vouchers, causing a subsequent bidding up of price for the designated goods [[HSref|( | :*Debenture Clause. The Debenture Clause was created to help the agricultural sector. In this plan, the government would give vouchers to exporters of certain agricultural goods equal to fifty percent of the duty that would be paid according to the tariff schedules. This would cause competition between the exporters to obtain the vouchers, causing a subsequent bidding up of price for the designated goods [[HSref|(30)]]. | ||
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:The Insurgent Republicans had different views than their Regular Republican counterparts on the three chief issues [[HSref|( | :The Insurgent Republicans had different views than their Regular Republican counterparts on the three chief issues [[HSref|(31)]]. | ||
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:On June 17, 1930, 17 months after the tariff revision process began, the Bill was signed into law. The Bill increased the tariff rates on all fifteen categories in the tariff schedule. According to many, it marked the highest point of United States protectionist policy [[HSref|(23)]], and raised tariff rates to approximately 59.1 percent [[HSref|(32)]]. | |||
:On June 17, 1930, 17 months after the tariff revision process began, the Bill was signed into law. The Bill increased the tariff rates on all fifteen categories in the tariff schedule. According to many, it marked the highest point of United States protectionist policy [[HSref|(23)]], to approximately 59.1 percent [[HSref|( | |||
Latest revision as of 17:21, 27 April 2006
- Chairman Willis Hawley called the tariff revision hearings to order on January 7, 1929. The hearings and testimonies were dominated by groups favoring tariffs and an upward revision in tariff rates (25), including special interest groups representing the industrial sector. This occurred for 3 reasons:
- Personal contacts with many of the Congressmen. Because of these close relationships, they were able to achieve an upper hand in many regards, including obtaining inside information about the content of the hearings, favorable interpretations of the committee rules, and special concessions which gave them a leg up (26).
- Reciprocal non-interference. Those wishing for upward tariff revision sought increased duties for their own benefit, but did not oppose duties sought by others (27).
- Economic benefit. Those who wanted tariffs had an economic motive; those who opposed did not (28).
- Due to these reasons, the testimonies were heavily biased. Due to this influence from the industrial sector, the bill initially intended to help the farmer soon became a means to raise tariffs in all sectors of the economy (29). Eventually, the major issues and points of concern were whittled down to three major topics:
- General Upward Revision of Tariffs.
- Flexible Provision. The Flexible Provision Clause granted the President power to adjust tariff rates, granting the President powers similar to those seen in the Fordney-McCumber Act.
- Debenture Clause. The Debenture Clause was created to help the agricultural sector. In this plan, the government would give vouchers to exporters of certain agricultural goods equal to fifty percent of the duty that would be paid according to the tariff schedules. This would cause competition between the exporters to obtain the vouchers, causing a subsequent bidding up of price for the designated goods (30).
- In the Senate, three major factions existed.
- The Republican Party was divided into two groups, The Regular Republicans and the Insurgent Republicans
- 44 Regular Republicans, consisting of primarily urban, manufacturing states
- 13 Insurgent Republicans, consisting of states concentrated in the rural West North Central Region of the United States.
- 39 Democrats, consisting of southeastern and southwestern portions of the United States with the largest shares of farms.
- The Insurgent Republicans had different views than their Regular Republican counterparts on the three chief issues (31).
- As shown, the Insurgent Republicans and Democrats aligned over the key issues. A total of 53 Senators shared this view, giving their faction a majority.
- Shown below is the legislative history of the Hawley-Smoot Bill.
- On June 17, 1930, 17 months after the tariff revision process began, the Bill was signed into law. The Bill increased the tariff rates on all fifteen categories in the tariff schedule. According to many, it marked the highest point of United States protectionist policy (23), and raised tariff rates to approximately 59.1 percent (32).
