Evening star., 1924-06-01
FARMERS TO RESENT
DROP IN SUGAR DUTY
Western Agriculturists Aroused
Over Report Tariff Commission
! Will Recommend Reduction.
MAY APPEAL TO CONGRESS
Oppose Disarranging Tariff Seized
ules, Gray Silver Announces.
RY HARDEN COLFAX.

reports that inc arm 1oWHiiS-
sion is about to make recommends
lions to the President to lower the
tariff on sugar have aroused western
farmers TO a point where they are
Manning to take whatever steps may
nc necessary to prevent change in
the present rate, according to an
rouncement made today by Gray
Silver OF the American Bureau Fed
Grafton. with headquarters here.
MIR. Silver stated that the farmers
have representatives in Washington
studying tho. situation and watching
developments. He asserted that the
Tariff Commission would be asked
10 reopen its hearings, if such a
course should seem cxpcdient to the
farmers. IL "A change in the tariff
rould be prevented in no other way,
he added. the American farm bureau
might lind it eXpedient to go to Con-
Tress and urge the passage of legis-
lation to retain the prevailing sugar
schedule.
Farm Bureaus Position.
The farm bureau" Mr.. Silver said
will oppose the dsarranging of the
tariffs in which the farmer is in
terested from the viewpoint of his
protection until the tariffs which are
nhfa1r to him in many other lines
are adjusted
THAT will apply not only to sugar
tut TO hemp. butter and cattle and
all tho things on which the farmer
tariff"
What form will the farmers on
position tskc?" Mr.. Silver was asked
we VIII oppose it by appearing
hcfore the Tariff Commission, il the
case can be reopened, and stating
ou, views; We may go to Congress
with a bill if the Tariff Commission
adopts course which we feel is
against our interest.
IN the case of the sugar schedule
INC Tariff Commission has held two
hearings, at neither of which was the
farmer represented. Apparently the
cas-" has been closed. for the com
mission is engaged daily in the con
SIdcrat,on and examination of the
n.; H.. ne commission's report to the
iFesldent. 1t is reported. is being
sneeded up with view of having il
pIaced IN his hands by July l.
COMMISSIONS Purpose Reported.
fuhllshed reports have appea red with
IN the past week stating that the corn
mission. by vote of . to .. would
recommend a reduction in the present
sel 19tS CT l..o cents pound on sugar
Ihe commission, which is composed of
SIX members. had been regarded gem
eFalir as evenly divided. to 5. on the
question. but the withdrawal of Conn
missioner Classic from participation in
Sie proceedings. because of a small
financial interest his wife holds in a
LOUISIANA sugar property, has given a
majority CT one to the group of three
members reported to favor a reduction.
At the Tariff Commission it was said
today that the published reports were
nnfounded: and that no decision had
oeen reached as vet. The withdrawal
or commissioner Classic from the pro-
Ceedlngs was confirmed. but it was said
that the remaining commissioners had
only recently begun their considera ton
or the evidence, and that the case had
NOT moved to a point where d decision
could be made
FcreSee Reports Verified.
OhsN-ver: in touch with the proceed
fnSs. however. are inclined to believe
that the published reports probably will
be Substantiated. and that a 3-to-2 de-
cisicn to recommend a reduction in the
tariff will be forthcoming
The farmers interest in the case, il
was explained. is that of the grower
Under the present tariff, representatives
OF the farmers and beet sugar manufac-
turers state. the raising of beets in Cali
kornia, Utah. Colorado and other west
ern states is one of the few things that
yield a profit to the farmer An in
creased acreage is being planted in
sugar beets under the present rate If
the rate is lowered. it is claimed by
these interests. the raising of sugar
beets will no longer be profitable to the
farmers. and the manufacture of beet
sugar in the United States will be
hea Willy handicappe