Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-03-31
TARIFF NOT TO BLAME
is VIEW OF PRESIDENT
BY David Lawrence
OIeased Wire Service to The Journal)
(Conv ri pht 1909 l

Copyright, 1921
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla, March 90.
President Harding's order to the
tariff commission to ascertain if
there is any relationship between
the high prices of sugar and the
operation of the Fordney- McCum-
Der tariff is not expected to result in
any reduction of the duty on sugar
The president himself is of the
opinion that outside influences sent
the price of sugar upward and his
instructions to the tariff commits
sion is intended to answer the crit
les who have been arguing that
the tariff was responsible.
Politically it is very important to
associate the idea of an increased
cost of living from the duties OF
the recent tariff law enacted by
the Republicans, and Mr.. Harding
is not willing to permit the impress
sion of a connection between the
two to go unchallenged.
Mr.. Harding is not prejudging the
case and will revise his opinions
and proclaim a reduction in duty if,
by chance, the tariff commission
does discover that the increased
duty led to the high price of sugar.
The Republican national commit
tees contention in it's recent state.
ment that if sugar advanced a few
cents pound after the tariff law
was passed, the tariff could not be
held responsible for succeeding ad-
vances is looked upon here natural
ly as IOund reasoning. There is
another way, however, by which a
raise in the tariff might operate
to advance prices. The duty in
crease might in itself lie slight, but
If it is sufficient to discourage out
side production for The American
market those who have accumulated
in the meantime stocks of sugar,
are in a position to demand higher
prices at least until the next crop
can come in to compete with the
domestic supply.
Would Reduce Duty
The investigation by the depart
ment of justice is more likely to
disclose circumstances of this kind
though 1T is an open question wheth-
er American sugar interests can be
held culpable for taking advantage
of the operation of the economic
more than union labor has ever
advocating
restricted immigration, which, in the
end. sends the price of labor up
ward because Of the shortage Great
ed. But unlike immigration, the
president has a power with relation
to tariff duties on which the sugar
interests may not have counted
They perhaps have not feared a re-
ductlon in duty because they
tbOuOht tho would ,5oxo
to reduce the sugar duty after all
session of congress with reference
to the needs of sugar interests in.
side the United States.
Mr.. Harding, however, most GER
talnly intends to go through with
the program announced in his tele-
gram to Chairman Marvin, of the
tariff commission. If he finds that
a reduction Of duty is likely to
bring about a more satisfactory
market for the consumer, he will
not hesitate to use the flexible pro.
visions of the tariff law which per-
NIT him to revise a duty downward
by fifty per cent. Sugar is some
thing which touches every house
holder and Mr.. Harding will not
if he can help it give the Demo
Gratis ammunition whereby they
can lay other economic ills of the
next year and a. half to the Ford
ney-McCumber tariff law.
To Correct Defects
The president has indicated al
ready that he thinks some of the
provisions Of the Fordney law were
unnecessarily high, but he has prom
ised to use the powers of the tar
iff commission to make inquiries
and to avail himself of the eXecu
tive discretion vested in him by
| congress in correcting these de
fects. The Republican leaders pla1
to answer attacks on the tariff b!
| saying they have created a bi-par
tisan tariff commission for the yer!
purpose of giving the country tn
facts and fer the additional pur
pose of advising the president whel
rates should be increased or re
duced.
Mr.. Harding, therefore, enjoys al
advantage which Mr.. Taft did no
have when he admitted that tn
famous schedule tx" was indie
| feasible. Mr.. Harding can admit al
inequity in the tariff today and g
ahead and correct it tomorrow lon
before the electorate has a chanc
TO voice it's disapproval.
Although the president is read
to proclaim reduction in suga
duty, there is a feeling here tina
the mere threat of action will brin
about drop in sugar prices, TO
If once the duty is cut the suga