The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-08-22
REPORTON
SUGAR FULL
OF TROUBLE
Presidents Vacation Is
Dimmed by Tariff CON-
mission Matter,
Times WASHINGTON Bureau.
1922 Mem Ynt-n t,e

q.
EV1 ASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-Presi-
!W| dent CoQlidge's vacation joys
- amid the COWS and chickens
on his fathers farm up in Vermont
are being dimmed by the only piece
of reading matter that he took with
him. 1t is the United States Tariff
Commissions sugar report, now be-
fore him for action, a bulky docu-
nent that the President carried to
Plymouth.
The sugar report is loaded with
political I. n. T., and the fuse awaits
his action. A majority Of the com
mission has recommended a reduc-
ton in the present exorbitant tariff
on sugar, while minority want the
existing rates continued.
Hanging in the balance is a prom.
ised savings Of many millions of dol
lars a year to the Nations sugar
consumers.
If Coolidge cuts the tariff he is
sure to incur the enmity Of the
powerful domestic sugar barons. now
waxing rich under it's undue pro
lection" from Cuban competition. If
he doesn't, the La Toilette progress
sives are certain to use it against
him.
Has Authority
Under the flexible provisions of
the new tariff law the President has
authority to change any rate when
such action Is deemed necessary TO
equalize foreign and domestic pro
duction costs. The data upon which
he acts must be furnished by the
tariff commission after an investi-
CATION. Revisions cannot exceed 80
per cent either way.
The Fordney- tariff on
sugar is the highest in history. with
an effective rate Of SL76 per 100
pounds. AS It all sells for the same.
the domestic producers have this
much Of an tage-Omitting
differences in productions costs
over their Cuban rivals. Under the
Democratic tariff the effective raIe
was only 81, but Senator Porter J.
McCumber hiked II nearly double.
In the fall Of 1922 producers Of
Cuban sugar filed application with
the tariff commission for an inves-
tigation. claiming that tn crate was
excessive. Most Of this production
by the way, is now controlled ~
American fnanciers who took over
the Cuban mills as a result of the de.
fiation in 1921.
Ia Toilette Gets Action
The I; riff commission dallied along
the fall Of 1922 until July 81, 1924,
before it finally finished its invest.
cation and made its report. 1t was
Senator la Follette's inslstence that
at last brought it out
Meanwhile. the domestic sugar
their harvest Meanwhile, too. it
had developed in Congress- that the
family Of Tariff Commissioner Henry
Fl. Classic was financially interested
in Louisiana sugar production. BY
lacking a prohibitory clause on the
annual SfAttil bAiAs NOAlhs lESS IN
cused" Classic from participation in
the sugar study.
When Coolidge at last received the
report, McCumber-now an ex-
Senator-appeared on the scene
again this time sthe lobbyist for
the domestic growers. McCumber
called at the White House and asked
Coolidge not to reduce the tariff on
sugar. according to stories that have
not been denied
Half of the nations consumption
Of 100000 tons of sugar a year
comes from Cuba. according to the
tariff commission. A decrease in the
tariff on this naturally would be re-
fected by decrease in the price of
domestic sugar as well. with an
estimated benefit Of many millions
Of dollars to Mr.. Average Consum-
er' s pocketbook.