The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-07
TARIFF SNARL |S. ADDED BURDEN 0N. PRESIDENTS BACK
Democrats Call For Definite Decision by Executive on
 Proposed Hearings
WASHINGTON BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD NXaShingtnn. ID. C.. Anril ( l

Between the members of the tariff commission, it was first a snarl, then open friction, and now a fight for the settlement of which the Presi- dent, upon his return to Washing ton, is required to exert himself.
 The experts employed by the com mission found after investigation in February that there should be an examination into the rates of alumi- mum, pottery, steel, pig iron, and ar ticles fabricated out of iron and steel, wool and other commodities. March 2 the examinations were or dered. The democrats voted for the examinations, and the regular" re- publicans voted against them. The deciding ballot was cast by William S. Cu1bertson of Kansas, a "progres- siTe" who owes his appointment to former President Wilson.
 Thomas o. Marvin of Massachu- setts, chairman of the commission, is said to have taken the position that if the commission made the eXami- nations which had! been ordered it would be necessary to reopen the entire Fordney McGumber tariff act. It is said that he appealed to the President, and that soon after the coInfHiSslon was apprlSed that IL was the desire of the President that the examinations be delayed until his return to Washington.
 Presidents Troubles Multiply.
 The commission. after receiving that information. delayed the exami- nations. The President, it Is indi- cated. will be asked by the demo- cratic members of the commission to state at his first available moment whether he desires the examinations to be made or not, and to cite his reasons. Thus, the troubles of the chief magistrate multiply, it is point ed out.
 The Flexible" tariff provision was put into effect by republicans over the violent protests of democrats. When he was signing the bill the President gave it unstinted praise and declared that the provision which made it possible for the Presi- dent to lower or elevate rates 50 per cent was one of its most commend able features.
 As soon as the law was in effect the commission announced that it would not await complaint to inquire into the justice of recommending to the President changes in rates, but would move on it's own initiative. It put it's experts to work, and as re- suit of their comparison of the cost or production in the United states and other countries. they informed the commission that rates on a number of commodities should be eX- amined.
 Displeasing to Republicans.
 The situation was displeasing to the republican members of the com mission, to certain cabinet officers, and practically all the republicans in Congress who supported the Ford -McCumber bill. IL is said that William Burgess of Pennsylvania, member of the commission. was in terested in potteries prior to his embership on the commission. It is known, likewise, that Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury was interested In the production of aluminium.
 The steel and iron masters of the country exert great influence with republican politicians. it is alleged, and it is understood that they op- posed any movement which might result in a lowering of the rates on iron and steel Democrats have al- ways contended that iron and steel need no protection against foreign competition.
 Senator Underwood of Alabama, author of the Underwood tariff act. and financially interested in the pro- duction of iron and steel, put both commodities on the free list in 1913 because he knew, he said, that neither required protection for their profitable existence.