The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-18
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Coolidge Is to Make Shifts Of
Tariff, Trade and Shipping
+, Board Members

President Coolidge is planning
a thorough shake-up and house,
cleaning in three Of the big in
dependent offices Of the Govern
ment, it was learned today.
The offices in question are
those in which most of the fric-
ton and the opposition to his
policies have originated during
his incumbency of the White
House. They are:
Opposed His Plans
/. The United States Tariff Com.
mission, which embarrassed the
President during the recent cam
paign by the method in which 1t
handled its investigation OF the
sugar, tariff, and the membership
of which has been hopelessly out
of harmony for some time;
2. The Federal Trade Commission,
which likewise caused embarrass-
ment during the campaign through
publication of a report on the
aluminium holdings of Secretary Of
the Treasury Mellon, and,
3. The United States Shipping
Bosrd, which has been a sto m
center ever since the war, and
which recently has given indica.
tons of a desire to ignore a gen
tlemen's agreement entered into
with the President last ;priny
whereby the Emergency Fleet Cor
poratton was to be given a free
hand in the operation OF the
American merchant marine.
Reconstruction Looked For.
A complete renovation and re-
construction Of the three agencies
Is in prospect. Personnel and
administrative functions alike are
due for rehabilitation.
In the Tariff. and Federal Trade
commissions, the President can
make his alterations by Executive
order. In the case Of the Ship.
ping Board, legislation is necessary,
Mr.. Coolidge will seek for the
Tariff Commission personnel that
is in entire harmony with the high
protective tariff policy OF the Re.
publican party.
Virtually throughout the past
four years, the commission has
been split three-three on all major
questions, Thomas o. Marvin, chair.
man. leading one faction. and vice
chairman William s. Culberstop
leading the other.
Culbertson, however, has aspira-
tons for higher Federal service,
and his transfer to the diplomatic
service is expected shortly
A vacancy in Central America is
looked for soon, and the tariff COM
missioner may get that post. Also,
he may be made governor of Porto
Rico in the event that failing
health forces the retirement of
Horace M. Towner. present incum-
bent.
Marvin to Remain
Marvin will remain as chairman;
David j. Lewis, of Maryland, now
serving under recess appointment,
may be replaced, and one or two
other commissioners may resign.
In the Federal Trade Commission,
Huston Thompson, ranking Demo.
cratic commissioner, is the chief
stumbling block for the Republican
Administration.
The Presidents advisers feel that
Thompson is not in harmony with
the Administration, and they would
like to have his resignation. How
this can be obtained, however, they
do not know.
IN n a1tl.ak r..
Executive order, can rearrange the
workings OF the commission, abol.
ishing and creating divisions, or
checking the various functions
thereof. Other members may be
moved about into different services
Of the Government.
Shipping Board Changes
AS for the Shipping Board, the
President Is determined to bring
about changes which will, under
law. give the Emergency Fleet
Corporation carte blanc authority
in the operation OF the merchamt
marine. OF late, Admiral Palmer,
president of the Fleet Corporation,
has been sorely hampered in his
work by interference from the
Shipping Board.
With the aid OF Senator Jones
Repl Of Washington, chairman OF
the Senate Commerce Committee,
a bill has been drafted which will
take many Of the powers Of the
Shipping Board and transfer them
to the Fleet Corporation.
Eventually, 1t is planned to make
the board a bureau of the Depart.
ment OF Commerce, retaining mere.
ly Its senlijudicial functions.