The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-26
SURVEY |S LIKELY BUT INVESTIGATION PLACD UNDER BAN.
Opinion Is That Contemplated Revision of Tariff Will
 Not Materialize
WASHINGTON BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD

The consensus of opinion IS that there will be no general revision of the tariff, as contemplated by the tentative program of Commission CT Culbertson, progressive" member of the tariff commission
 The President, endeavoring to set tie the row which practically dis rupted the members of the commits sion. advised a survey into rates re- garding the equity of which there is doubt. but not an investigation. If the survey reveals the necessity of an investigation, the commission will so report to the President. who will authorize procedure or abandon ment of the proposition.
 Reactionaries Claim Victory.
 The decision of the President is regarded as complete victory for commission. Messrs Marvin, chair man, and Burgess, and defeat for the progressive" and democratic membership. The idea obtains that In the immediate future only the steel schedule will he inquired into. and the proposed survey of wool and pottery Gin which latter business Commissioner Burgess formerly was engaged) will not be undertaken.
 The Fordney McCumber tariff bill authorizes the President to elevate action is deemed to be expedient. The "reactionary" members of the commission took the position that no inquiry should be undertaken unless formal complaint regarding existing rates had been filed. Vice Chairman Culbertson. a progressive" appoint ed by former President Wilson, and the democratic members. oil the other hand. took the position that with or without complaint. the com mission should go into rates which indications tended to prove to be in equitable.
 Democrats Are Victorious.
 The question was put to a vote, and the progressive" dem mocratic coalition was victorious. Agents were put to work inquiring into the rates on a dozen ommodities, includ ing steel, pottery and wool. Chair man Marvin appealed to the Pres i ident, and the President ordered an abandonment of surveys until his return from Florida. When he re- turned he decided that surveys might l be undertaken at any time, but nc investig having for it's purpose 1 actual rate changes, should be en- tered into without his approval. On account of the time required to complete survey, ana the greater time required to complete an inves- tigation, even should one be ordered { it is made plain to those who have followed the situation most closely that there will be no revision of the principal tariff schedules during the administration of President Harding This outlook admittedly is satisfac- tory to so-called big business. ' which has informed official Wash ington that any general onslaught agains. the tariff. which would have a tendency to cut into it's profits would disturb the present situa- tion, which is good"
 O O O
 Politicians Highly Pleased.
 Inquiry at republican headquar- ters here brings out the fact that the politicians are highly pleased with what they term the President s compromise. The ydo not deny that had general inquiry into tariff
 rates been permitted it would have given the Fordney McCumber mon strosity" a black eye which would have served the purpose of demo- crats in the Presidential campaign
 At democratic headquarters, the compromise" is referred to as an act meant to deceive the people into believing that the administration was fair whereas the administration cal culated all the time that the "com promise" would actually prohibit tariff rate inQuirieS.