The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01
SUGAR MARKET IS CAUSE OF CONCE ERN
 IN |. |. ?. CIRCLES.
Leaders Fear Tariff Will Get Full Blame for h.
 crease
WASHINGTON BUREAU ,
 THE AGE-HERAID ! MnshinElnn Mnrch aI

The uncomfortable sugar market today gives more apprehension to the master politicians of the republican party than any other condition or situation which might transform it. self into an Issue.
 The sky-rocketing price of sugar is admitted to he without regard for the law of supply and demand The Secretary of Commerce, Mir Hoover. very frankly admits that there will be surplus when the years consumption has exacted it's toll.
 Is the manipulation of the market made possible because of the exorbi tant tariff rate imposed by the re- publican majority in the Fordney- McCumber actG The republican na- tional committee. with vehemenee. denounces those who So imply as demagogues. Democrats and ''pro- hand not only imply but actually charge that tho tariff Is an impor- tant contributing factor in the situa- ton.
 In the meantime, the people are grooming and thoir grooming Is heard in Washington--to tho dismay of the republican politicians.
 Calls For Investigation.
 
 price of sugar was immediately fol- lowing the passage of tho F'ordney- McCumber tariff bill. In January Senator Robert NJ LaFollette in- troduced a resolution providing for an investigation.
 There were several opportunities for the Senate to enact the resoiu- tion. The last opportunity was March 8. On that date, Senator Reed Shoot, representing the beet sugar state of Utah, and the personfica- ton of the republican idea of pro lection for American industry, aely assisted by senator Charles custis of Kansas, whip" of the "reactionary' majority. successfully blocked the passage of the resolution.
 It was generally said at tho time that they feared tho Investigation would prove the democratic eonten- ton, that the tariff would increase tho cost of living, correct. Hoover Outraged.
 Immediately after the adjournment of Congress, word came from the de- partment of commerce that Secretary Hoover was outraged because of the manipulation of tho sugar market. and was prepared to investigate en his own responsibility. There was then report that certain influen- tlal senators, presumably those who had blocked tho passage of the 1a- Toilette resolution, had telegraphed the President regarding the plans of MT. Hoover with suggestion that he move to cheo. their maturity. If has never been made public whether the President conferred with his Sec retary of Commerce or not. But the formal investigation which it was said Hoover prepared to make Was never made. although a perfunetory inquiry into the available supply was undertaken, 1t is declared.
 o o 0
 Republicans Unfortunate.
 In the opinion of the politicians, the situation is unfortunate for tho republican party. That party enacted tariff bill which imposed rate on sugar of t.765 per pound. That party blocked . proposed investigo-- ton when the market gave signs of manipulation. And whether or not either of these factors can be held re- sponsible for the situation, "fLod scandal" during the life of the ad- ministration, alleged to be associated with "big business" cannot have any other than deleterious effect. polltie- fans admit.
 If, as the department of commerce indicates, there will be increase fin the prices of other necessities before summer, and should European im- ports begin gradual deciinef tho democrats, it is pointed out, will be able Co present strong and apt case against the republican admlnls- tration. The restlessness expressed at the polls last November will be redoubled. republican politicians fear, and the odds against the recollection of the President immeasurably in- creased
 Therein is the reason why the rum away sugar market is so distressing to those who would perpetuate re- publican rule. Politicians supporting the administration, denying bitterly that tho tariff is responsible, grow blasphemous at the expense of those manipulating the market, and declare that in another session Legislation will be enacted as result of which the interruptions would find fl im- possib' tC gamble in foodstuffs. IL is regarded as probable, however, that the people, having paid tho cost during the long summer months, will regard such action as another Illus tratlon of the folly of locking the stable door after the horse has es- capped.
 In the meanwhile the price of sugar Increases, and there is prediction by Senator LaTollette that tho price will reach maximum of 20 cents per