New-York tribune., 1915-10-29
Plans for Trade After War
DisOWned at White
House.
HINT SECRETARY
MAY STEP OUT
Observers Believe Incident
Means More than Reproval-
Tariff a Worry.
Iron n. Tribune bureau ]

Washington. Oct. p. shhrp re-
buke 10 the Secretary of Commerce
was seen to-day iu q statement issued
At the White House By Secretary Tu-
multy denying that the President had
committed himself 20 Mr. Redheld's
plan for protecting American industries
from foreign competition after the Eu-
ropean war.
II wns pointed out clearly that other
sources would &c heard from before the
President made up MS mind, and 1t was
frankly intimated that Mr.. Redhelds
views would be regarded as merely a
part Of the information being col
lectcd by Mr. Wilson.
Incidentally it WAS virtually admit
ted for the first time that he admin
istration was highly apprehensiye as to
the industrial condition this country
will fnce at the close Of the war II
the present tariff law is kept in force,
with a consequent deluge OF American
markets by cheap foreign products.
The President and MS advisers real
ize that the Underwood-Simmons meas
ure will not be sufficient protection
from the competition which will come
when the European armies 20 back 70
their workshops and attempt TO regain
the trade lost az the outbreak Of the
war.
Wilson Asked Economic Survey.
As result Of this fear the President
called on the heads of several depart
ments 70 make q survey OF me general
economic and industrial situation ana
10 report TO him. Il is SAID at the
White House. however, that on al
plans suggested 20 meet the economic
situation that will arise out or the
war the Presidents mind IS open ana
will remain open until the information
he receives is complete.
Secretary Redheld apparently over
estimated the Importance Of the func-
ton he was asked 20 perform IN thiS
search for something when Wou!d
protect American industries without
seeming to resemble Republican
this impression.
Commenting on interviews given
out by Secretary Redfcld and others
as to the plan of Mr. Redheld for
making dumping" crime, It was said
at the White House that whatever
opinions were expressed were purely
personal.
In some quarters tonight it was
thought the rebuke Of the White
House 10 the Secretary Of Commerce
carried much significance. II was even
believed by some that the incident
foreshadowed the retirement Of Mr..
Redfeld from the Cabinet. This was
not generally credited, however, for
several reasons.
Eastland Inquiry His Chance.
IN the first place. If President Will
con were anxious 20 have Mr.. Redieid
out Of the Cabinet, il was pointed out
the conduct of the investigation OF the
Eastland disaster would have afforded
an excellent excuse. It might even
have been good politics at that time
10 have removed Mr. Redfeld.. In
stead. the President sustained the
Secretary of Commerce in a letter.
Mr. Redheld likes his place in the
Cabinet, 50 that It Il unlikely that
the rebuke from the White House to-
dav will cause him 70 resign.
Some thought that the statement
issued by the White House could not
be construed a. rebuke to Mr.. Red
field at all. since the Secretary had
not eaid at any time that he was ex-
pressing the views of the President on
the dumping" question. although per-
hans those who heard him believed
him to be speaking for the admlnistra-
tion.
Those not constituting the White
House statement as a rebuke say that
the White House merely wished TO
have il clearly understood that the
President had not yet made up his
mind. and had no desire TO reflect on
the Secretary OF Commerce.