Congressional Record
EXTENSION OF REMARKS
Tuesday, February 18,1958
Volume 104 - part 2, 2326
OF
HON. ELIZABETH KEE
OF WEST VIRGINIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mrs. KEE. Mr. Speaker, under leave to extend my remarks in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, I include a copy of my weekly newsletter Keenotes which was issued on February 10, 1958:
KEENOTES
(By Representative ELIZABETH KEE)
The House Ways and Means Committee will begin hearings on February 17 on extension of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act - legislation which is causing irreparable damage to the economy of West Virginia.
I plan to make a statement before the committee on just how the program, under which the president is given virtually absolute power to lower tariffs, is seriously affecting West Virginia and how important protection against imports from low-wage foreign countries is to our State.
Recently the West Virginia Legislature adopted a strong resolution memorializing Congress to correct inequities in the present law. I was so impressed by the soundness of the resolution that I made a copy available to my colleague. Chairman WILBUR D. MILLS, of the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. MILLS advises me that the resolution of the West Virginia Legislature will be made a part of the permanent record on the legislation and will be given consideration during the hearings.
Imports of pottery, glass, ceramics, clothes- pins, and other products are threatening to put West Virginia industries out of business. Our West Virginia industries, paying high prevailing wage scales, cannot compete against products manufactured abroad by workers making less than half the wage of our domestic workers.
It is a struggle for these industries to remain in business in face of this grossly unfair competition. They must have relief, and it can only come from Congress. Thus far, the President has been deaf to pleas for help.
The Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act, we are told, is an essential part of our foreign policy. If this is true, if this country must invite imports as a part of the fight against communism, then, I submit, it is not fair to ask isolated segments of the economy - such as West Virginia manufacturers - to bear the brunt of the cost.
Stockholders in these businesses are threatened with the loss of their investment. Workers are threatened with permanent loss of their jobs. The entire area is suffering with declining purchasing power and less business activity generally. We have a right to demand adequate protection.
The coal industry has a stake in the foreign trade program, too. Under the present program, residual fuel oil which competes directly with coal is being imported into the country in unlimited quantities without Government check.
This foreign oil enjoys a tremendous competitive advantage. Because it can be produced and transported so cheaply with foreign labor, it is taking markets away from coal with the resulting loss of job opportunities for miners and others in West Virginia.
I have fought for years for a correction of the inequities in the reciprocal trade agreements program. I will continue that fight during hearings before the Ways and Means Committee and in House consideration of this legislation.