The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-11
H00vER'SPRObE IF SUGAR PRICES T0 BE HALF-HEARTED.
Republican Politicians, Fear ing Attack Upon Tariff Law, Prevailed Upon
 Secretary to Go Easy
WASHINGTON BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HER$LD [ WnshiuyfOn. ID. C.. March 10 |

The early indication that Herbert Hoover, secretary of commerce, would institute an investigation into the increased price of sugar, which. he has formally stated, was unjustifi- able, have so materially waned that it is now believed that if any investi- gation Is made it will be entirely superficial.
 AS previously reported. when it was announced that MT. Hoover might investigate, republican politi- clans became wildly excited and if re- ports were accurate, got in touch with the President immediately after he had reached Florida. Effort to acquire information as to whether or not the President suggested to MT. Hoover that he should proceed with caution availed nothing.
 During the closing hours of the last Congress. Senator Reed Shoot of Utah, the high priest" of repub- lican protective tariff ideas, sue ceeded in filibustering to death resolution reported by Senator Rob ert M. LaFollette of Wisconsin. pro- viding for an investigation of the sugar trust
 Hold Tariff Responsible.
  vanced price of sugar was the re- suit of the protection of sugar in the Fordney- y-McCumber tariff act. As re- publcans have always contended that as result of that act, the price Of nothing has been increased, or the burden of the people made more un- bearable. Mir. Shoots object in pre- venting the investigation was re- garded as transparent.
 Senator David l. Walsh of Massa- chusetts, in discussing the advance in sugar for this bureau. made the following statement: "No one can dispute the fact that the levying of the tariff duty of 1.76 cents increased the price of sugar by about cents per pound. To deny it is to dispute the whole theory of protection to home industries.
 II wish to say, however, that not only sugar but practically every ar ticle which was given protection in the Fordney- -McCumber tariff law has in the last five months reflected an increase in price. For instance sweaters. blankets, woolen clothing, wooden underwear. all classes or woolen goods, have been very sub stantially increased In price, as have cotton cloth and building materials of all kinds"
 Senator Walsh declares that the people eventually will ascertain the reason for the increasing of their burden, and will repudiate the repub- lcan party at the polls two years hence.
 CAN'T FURNISH LIST
 In letter addressed to the Presi- dent of the Senate. and by him made public, Edmund Platt. acting gov ernor of the federal reserve board declares today that it would be inn possible for member banks to fur nish Senator J.. Thomas Heflin Of Alabama with the names and ad- dresses of those people to whom was sent, more than a year ago, copy or a speech delivered by Senator Carter Glass of Virginia in defense of the federal reserve system and its poll cies.
 To secure these names, Senator 1eflin has labored for many months It was the intention to send to the people who received the Glass speech copies of his own in answer thereto.
 In part. MT. Platt wrote: "It Is cer- tainly somewhat unusual request as it must be obvious there was no object in preserving the lists used so long ago, and consequently Tn some cases they do not exist, and Tn all cases are greatly changed. If the Senate had desired these lists pre- served it would seem that the request would have been made not later than the spring of 1922, as the speech or Senator Glass was delivered January 16 and IT, that year.
 o O O
 Reference Incidental.
 Tt appears from the preamble to the resolution requesting the lists that it's purpose was to enable one senator whose position Is stated to have been 'assailed and criticized to have the opportunity to send copies of his speech to the citizens who have received the speech 'assailing and criticizing him, and the inference appears to be that at least one or the objects in the circulation of Sem ator Glass speech was the criticism 0N TILE m