The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-07-18
BATTLE TO keep
TARIFF OFF OIL
IN FULL swing
Harding's Influence Over Con-
grsss Meets Test In Three
Cornered House Debatc.
BY A. O. HAYWARD.
Intsrn~sae>sl Nsvs Service.

Il
consideration. with q three-cornered
fight in progress. and President
Hardings influence over Congress
under test.
The President has recommended
In order that reciprocal trade agree
ment negotiations with Mexico shall
not be embarrassed. The bill. az re.
ported out by the Ways and Means
Committee. provides a duty OF IS
cents per barrel on crude Oil and
20 cents per barrel on fuel oil.
In the tug OF war over this legisla-
ton the independent oil producers
from fifteen States, backed by ardent
protectionists from other States. are
lined up against the American inter
| ests in Mexican oil production and
the users Of fuel oils in the United
States. including the New England
| mills, public utilities. Southwestern
railroads. and automobile associations.
which fear advance in price of gaso-
line because Of the duty.
Treadway Opens Fight.
Congressman Treadway OF Massa-
| chusetts opened the fight against the
oil duty. He declared this duty would
add q cent a gallon to fuel oil, 300.-
New England mills annually. and
would be reflected In $5.000,000 add.
tional to costs Of New England mill
| productions. 4.
Tho FREQ oil advocates quoted Presi-
dent Harding as opposing the duties
on oil, admittedly aimed at Mexican
| oil imports, which amount to $780,
900 barrels month, because the
legislation would complicate and In.
terfere with negotiations for CONNER.
| cial agreements now under way with
| Mexico.
The Massachusetts, men were
charged by Congressman Chandler,
Oklahoma. and other advocates of the
duty on oil with Inconsistency In de-
| handing protection for everything
produced in New England and free
trade for everything produced outside
New England but needed by that sec
ton. such as hides and cotton.
Chandler insisted that free oil n CIV
ing the Standard OIL Company it's OPP
portuntty to get control of the prop
critics of independent producers and
to strengthen iis grip on the oil in
dustry Of the country.
Consumers In Fight.
Large consumers of fuel oil. like
| public utilities. railroads and steamship
lines. Joined in opposing the duty on
oil because OF the fear that II would
be reflected In increased prices for
fuel oil, which is being substituted for
steamer coal because OF the increased
cost OF coal. Each side in the fight
brought charges against the other of
maintaining huge and costly Hobbies
AZ Washington to influence legisla-
ton.
Text Of Harding Letter.
The Presidents letter, dated June
so, was as follows:
my dear Mr.. Fordney: / under.
stand that your committee is very
soon to decide whether to include a
protective duty on crude oil in the
tariff bill to be reported to the
House. cannot refrain from ex-
pressing the hope that your COM
ndttee will take note of the foreign
policy to which we are already com
mitted. under which the Government
Is doing every consistent thing to
encourage the participation of Amer
lean citizens In the development of
the oil resources In many foreign
lands. This course has been inspir-
ed by the growing concern OF our
country over the supply Of crude oil
to which we may turn for our fu-
ture needs. not alone for our do
nestle commerce. but In meeting the
needs of our navy and our mer-
chant marine.
ITO levy q protective tariff on
crude petroleum now would be at
variance with all that has been done
to safeguard our future interests.
ct am not unmindful Of the oil IN
dustry within our own borders and
most cordially believe In its proper
consideration.
Would 1t not be practicable to pro
vide for such protection In some
bargaining provision which may be
placed in the hands Of the Executive
30 that We may guard against q levy
| ing of duties against US or the imposi-
ton by other nations OF export tariffs
which are designed to hinder the
facilitation OF trade which is essential
to our welfare7
I'm the matter Of crude oil and In
the case Of lumber concerning which
we talked. our position will be the
stronger II the tariff levy Is omitted
and authority is given the executive
to impose duty in appropriately
| stated circumstances. hope your
committee will find II consistent to
give consideration to these sugges-
| tons
WARREN @. HARDING"