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Show fTTfTTTffTTT'i'tfyVTty'fTTTVTTTTTTV'iTTTTTTTTTTTTTT-t-v VOICE FROM WASHINGTON Senator John Thomas (Rep. Idaho) in a speech in the Senate accused the executive branch of the government govern-ment of usurping legislative powers in the determination determina-tion of tariff policies. He cited a recent Executive order, or-der, under which government departments and agencies may import free of duty, all sorts of materials related to war activities, and executive agreements with foreign nations pledging a general reduction in tariff duties after, aft-er, the war. Senator Thomas said in part : "Under cover of general war powers a fundamental fundamen-tal change in tariff policies is being accomplished. Recent Re-cent tariff developments offer a striking instance of the tendency of Congress to allow the executive branch of the government to usurp legislation functions. Because of this tendency Congress has only itself to blame for growing criticism by the public. "Materials imported by the government free of duty may be supplied to private war contractors as a substitute for domestic materials. Foreign wool and t- Dther farm products may be placed on the market by :he government with a view to depressing. Under a oooling of the resources of the allied nations, both now ind after the war, it may be decided that certain of our industries should be displaced by those of other countries. coun-tries. ... "I recognize fully the desirability of measures to promote international trade when peace is restored. Undoubtedly Un-doubtedly our tariff laws will require a complete overhauling. over-hauling. In such a program the executive branch of the government will have an important part to play. Its actions, however, should follow the lines of policies established es-tablished by Congress. "As a representative of the State of Idaho, whose development has been furthered by the protection accorded ac-corded to such products as live stock, wool, sugar, grains, beans, dairy products, lumber and minerals, I consider it my duty to protest against the inauguration of new tariff policies by the executive branch without consideraion and action by Congress. "Not only has the administration ignored Congress but its action has had the effect of nullifying provisions of the Price Control Act which were intended to prevent a weakening of the protection accorded by present tariff tar-iff laws to domestic industry and agriculture . . . |