Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-22
NO RUSSIAN TRADE
DURING RED RULE
Hoovcr's Statement Is Taken as
Indication Of His Promi-
nence in Administration.
HUGHES HAS BEEN SILENT
Although Not an Official Pro-
nouncement, Is an Indica-
ton of Policy.
HUGHES HAS BEEN SILENT
By John GieI.sncr.

United News Staff Correspondent.
WASiiiNGTOS. March 2l.--The
statement OF Secretary Of Commerce
Hoover today that resumption OF
I trade with Bolshevist Russia is i'm
possible Is taken not only as an ex-
preston o: the view Of the admin
istration. but aB an indication of the
prominence Hoover VIII assume In
the government. and the scope OF the
activities he intends to undertake.
Hoover said trade with Russia
cannot start 20 long as the Bolshev-
lists are In control. Trade. OF course.
Is matter for the consideration Of
the Secretary OF Commerce. But
heretofore. dealings with Russia have
been exclusively a State Department
matter. because OF their political
ramiiications. The State Department
prohibited trade. and finally said It
would be permissible.
Comment IL unomciaI.
So far, Secretary of State Hughes
has been silent on the subject. and
Hoover's comment was without State
Department knowledge. Such a de-
parture IN recent years might have
been cause for "a sensation.
Hughes recently. however. has had
the Russian trade situation under
consideration. AS well as the political
aspects OF relations. And II can be
stated that Iioovers opinion con-
forms 20 that Of the State Depart
men;. and while 1t is not an Official
pronouncement OF American policy.
II is a definite index Of what that
policy will be.
Hoover already has Interested him
self In variety OF subjects. indie
at!ve OF his intention OF developing
real Department Of Commerce.
He announced. he will appoint com
mittee OF shipping and trade experts
to advise OIL establishment OF trade
routes. The merchant marine act Of
1920 provided this. very thing, but
II had been supposed the shipping
BOARD would have the ;ask.
Hoover Names Committee.
Hoover has named also Il committee
o: business men to help In creating
CO operation between business and
the government. lie has Interested
himself in transportation-ra!l in
land waterway and maritime-on the
| theory that transportation vitally af-
fccts commerce. He has some very
definite ideas on the functions OF the
Shipping Board and tho Interstate
Commerce. Commission. and has pre-
scented them at Cabinet meetings.
Hoover has concerned himself also
with the projected reorganization Of
the executive departments. insisting
that the various agencies should be
Drough, under proper and definitely
confined control. lie has had par
ticu!ar interest in cncciing bridge"
between tho ade-exploitation activ-
itics OF tho Departments of State and
Commerce.
Activities show Prominence.
These activities, In the opinion Of
observers here, mark Hoover as the
big man Of the outside circle" OF the
Cabinet, just as Harry Daughcrty is
credited with being the big man Of
the 'inner circle" Few Cabinet mem
bcrs have entered Office with more
extensive programs or have started
to carry them out with as great dis
patch.
Regarding Russia. Hoover said. in
hricf. that under the existing ccono-
mic system, there can he no return
to production. that Russia therefore
Will have little to export, and as n
consequence of this. little ability to
Inn oil nY pa