Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
Commission Will Be Treated in
Special Message to
Congress.
SUBJECT OF CONFERENCE
WITH MAJORITY LEADER
Representative Kitchin Believes
Federal Trades Body Can Deal
Adequately With the Subject.

Representative Kitchin OF
North Carolina, democratic leader
of the House, conferred with
President Wilson today about the
Presidents intention to ask Con-
oress to create tariff commits
sion which shall be clothed with
powers to make careful investiga
tons into trade affairs bearing
upon the tariff, cost OF production
here and abroad and all the fac
tors that enter into customs ques-
tons. The President confirmed
the reports that he has determined
to recommend commission, and
told Mr.. kitchin that he believes
such commission will be vitally
important in view of the possiblli-
ties OF severe trade adjustments
after the European war. The
President, it is understood, will
address Congress in special mes
sage on the subject.
Mr.. Kitchin said that personally he
had taken no definite position on the
subject although he had felt that the
powers to be given tariff commission
might afely and wisely be intrusted to
the federal trade commission, which al
ready has powers for the collection of
important data touching upon trade
and the tariff.
Has Conference With Members.
He also said he had not conferred
with members of the ways and means
committee. but believed it proba bic
that the committee, if it acts, will favor
such a commission as the President is
likely to recommend He had been told
that northern democrats were especial
ly favorable to comm ission.
Il have no particular choice about
the matter" said Mr. Kitchin. II had
thought that all subjects relating to
the tarin-investigatio reports to
Congress, etc.-might be assembled in
the trade commission, which now has
wide powers. but it is immaterial as to
what body is given direct powers"
The President himself, until within
the last few months. has inclined to
giving further power to the federal
trade commission. but the urgent de-
mand of large business organizations
like the United States Chamber of
Commerce has been strongly favorable
to Independent body clothed with
extensive authority relating to the
tariff.
Mr. Kitchn said he believed his COM
mittee will report a bill to prevent
dumping in this country of cheap
foreign goods after the European war
but does not yet know the details of
the bill. The measure, if the commit
tees views now are followed will be
along the lines of the Underwood bill
as originally reported to the House and
stricken out in the Senate when the
present tariff was passed by that body
This would impose heavy additional
duties upon goods sent to this country
al ruinOusly cheap prices.
President Wilson today talked with
committee of the executive commit
tee of the socialist party of the coun-
try, headed by Representative London
of New York. the only socialist mem
ber of the House. The visitors urged
upon the President three things: ]
Support of the resolution introduced in
the House by Representative London
calllNP upon tne fTeSldeHt TO convene
Congress of neutral nations to offer
mediation to the belIigerents in Eu-
rope; 9. support Of the movement for
bettering the political and civic status
'of the Jews Of Europe, especially those
in Russia. and 3. preparedness
The socialists told the President that
declaration by Congress in favor of
calling an immediate conference of for
eign nations will strengthen the hands
of the President in his efforts for in
ternational peace. The socialists pro-
ference is held the basis of the delib-
erations shall be evacuation of invaded
territory; liberation of oppressed ma
tionalities; referendum by the popula-
tions of Alsace- Lorraine. Finland and
Poland as to their allegiance or indie
pendence: removal of the political and
civic isabilitieS of the Jewish people
everywhere; freedom of the seas con-
certed disarmament and establishment
of an international court of arbitra-
tion, with the commercial boycott
the means of punishment for dis
obedience.
James II. Maurer. president of the
Pennsylvania State Federation of La
Dor, told the President the labor or
ganizations in his state are opposed to
further increases in the army and navy
President Wilson will leave Wash
ington tomorrow night for New York
for his first important speech on pre-
fore tho Railway Business Association.
He is also to talk before the Motion
Picture Board of Trade. Returning
from New York Friday. he will leave
t'ri.>ay night his trip through the
middle west, where preparedness will
be the theme of all his speeches. His
first speech will be at Pittsburgh Sat