"GREATEST CUSTOMS LEGISLATION IN HISTORY?"

PRESIDENT SIGNS PROTECTIVE TARIFF INTO LAW

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 21, 1922, President Warren G. Harding signed into law the Tariff Act of 1922* saying, according to the Evening Star, it may prove to be "the greatest customs legislation in history."

The President signed the bill at 11 a.m. in his office at the White House.  He used a gold-mounted fountain pen as sponsors Fordney and McCumber** looked on.

The President said...

"It will make the greatest contribution to tariff-making in the history of the government." 

*The Tariff Act of 1922 raised average import taxes on all imported goods 15.2% in 1922 &36.3% in 1933.  

According to www.encyclopedia.com the Harding administration sought to "both reduce the profitability of imports & (retaliate) against countries that sought to limit U.S. exports."

**Rep. Joseph W. Fordney of Michigan was chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee & Sen. Porter J. McCumber of North Dakota was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. 

JFK+50 NOTE

Encylopedia.com also states that the quantity of imports into the U.S. continued to rise & global economic conditions had a greater impact on trade than did the high protective tariff.  

SOURCE

"Fordney-McCumber Tariff," www.encyclopedia.com/ 

   

 

Republican Campaign Flyer

Library of Congress (1928)

"PRESIDENT HARDING IN FLORIDA TO AVOID BICKERING"

PRESIDENT UNHAPPY ABOUT PROPOSALS PUSHED ON HIM BY CONGRESS

St. Augustine, Florida (JFK+50) On March 11, 1922, the Evening Star reports that President Warren G. Harding is here in St. Augustine, not for a needed rest, but because "he is getting weary of the estimate which certain leaders* in Congress are placing upon his leadership."

David Lawrence writes that the President "does not like bluster and political fireworks," and thus "is not happy" about having proposals pushed on him by Congress.

The major issue confronting the President and Congress is the soldiers' bonus.

Mr. Lawrence says the President does not wish to be in Washington "while the bickering is going on if he can help it."

*The President is particularly unhappy with the persistence of Rep. Joseph W. Fordney (R-Michigan), Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee.  JWF served in the US House of Representatives 1899-1923.

JFK+50 NOTE

President Harding made the Ponce de Leon Hotel his headquarters while in St. Augustine.  He arrived via the Florida East Coast Railway and was known to frequent the links while in the city.  

Once a local cop gave the President's limo driver a ticket for exceeding the 5 m.p.h. city speed limit.  Mr. Harding may not have been happy about that either.

SOURCES

"President is Away to Avoid Bickering," by David Lawrence, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 11, 1922, www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/  

"Winter White House-1921 Style," Augustine.com, www.visitstaugustine.com/ 

 

 

Ponce de Leon Hotel

Flagler College

St. Augustine, Florida

Photo by DVR (2016) 

 

"FORDNEY SAYS HOUSE WILL PASS SOLDIER BONUS BILL"

HOUSE DEMOCRATS OBJECT TO REPUBLICANS MEETING IN 'SECRET SESSION' WITH LEGION REP

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 17, 1922, Chairman Joseph W. Fordney* (R-Michigan) of the House Ways and Means Committee said that the soldier bonus bill will be reported to a Republican caucus within the next ten days "and a Republican house will pass it."

The chairman's statement followed debate on the floor of the House of Representatives during which Congressman John N. Garner** (D-Texas) objected to Republican members calling in an American Legion representative to meet with them in "secret session."

In a related development, the National Grange sent letters to Congressmen in opposition to a sales tax to pay for the soldier bonuses or "for any other purpose."

*Joseph Warren Fordney (1853-1932) was born in Hartford City, Indiana & served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1899-1923.   JWF was co-sponsor of the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act of 1922 which raised tariff rates on many imported goods.

**John Nance Garner (1868-1967) was born in Red River, Texas & served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1903-1933.  JNG was VPOTUS under FDR 1933-1941.  On the morning of Nov 22 1963, President John F. Kennedy called the former VP to wish him a happy birthday. 

SOURCE

"Uproar In House On Soldier Bonus," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 17, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Joseph W. Fordney

(R-Michigan)

Bain News Service Photo

Library of Congress

"BRANDED A RICH MAN'S BILL BY THE OPPOSITION"

REPUBLICAN TAX BILL SOLIDLY OPPOSED BY DEMOCRATS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 16, 1921, Joseph W. Fordney*, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, "asserted...the nation's tax bill will be cut $193,640,000 this fiscal year, $397,790,000 in the calendar year 1922, and $790,330,000 in 1923.

This translates into a savings of $35 "to the average family."

The New York Times reports that the Democrats plan to brand the Republican proposal  "as a rich man's bill."  The tax legislation was formally reported out of the Ways and Means Committee today with the Democrats "solidly against it."

*Joseph Warren Fordney (1853-1932) represented Saginaw County & surrounding area in Central Michigan in the US House of Representatives 1899-1923.  JWF was co-sponsor of the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act of 1922.

SOURCE

"New Tax Bill To Save Each Family $35," The New York Tribune, www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

 

 

Rep. Joseph W. Fordney

(R-Michigan)

Bain News Service Photo

Library of Congress Image