The Washington times., 1924-01-17
TARIFF INQUIRY
by CONGRESS
CERTAIN
Troubles in Commission Over
Classic Will Be Aired State
ments by Members.

Congressional investigation Of the
United States tariff commission
which is divided against itself ap-
peared a certainty today.
Movements were under way in
both the House and Senate 10 turn
the Official Congressional spotlight
on the commission.
Congressman Griffis, Democrat, Of
New York, was author Of a resolu-
ton in the lower chamber which de-
manded a probe.
In the Senate, the question was
being handled by Senator Walsh,
Democrat, Of Massachusetts, who
was one Of the leaders in the fight
against enactment Of the Fordney-
McCumber tariff law.
Classic Storm Center.
Chief interest of Congressional
probers centered around the eligi-
bility Of Henry H. Classic, Of Wash
ington, to sit as a member OF the
commission during the present hear
ings on the petition of the United
States Sugar association to slash
the duties on sugar imported from
Cuba.
The fight over Classic, apparently
settled for the moment by his re-
fusal to retire voluntarily from the
investigation Of sugar rates, has
embittered the commission and d.
vided it into two distinct factions
Supporting Classic are Chairman
Marvin and Commissioner Burgess:
Vice chairman Culbertsan and Com
YniSsioners Lewis and Costigan be-
lieve Classic is not legally eligible
to continue on the sugar probe
because his wife owns stock in a
sugar mill.
with the membership split three
and three, 1t Is impossible to Oust
Classic.
Subjected to Bias.
Walsh and Griffis both pointed
out that such a mix-up in the COM
mission greatly impaired the work
Of investigating commodities with
a vew to reducing rates. They held
that this condition might tend to
subject the commission to bias and
prejudice, and thus minimize the
value Of it's Investigation.
Something should be done 70
iron out the personal differences and
install harmony" Walsh said. He
indicated that a Congressional probe
to ferret out the root Of the trouble
might accomplish this result.
While other Federal commissions
in the past have been the scenes Of
bitter disputes and controversies
the present disruption in the tariff
commission is attracting more than
ordinary attention, especially On
Capitol Hill.
OOOIidge's Hands on.
It was pointed out that the dis.
pute has prevented the commission
from recommending to the PreM-
dent any changes in tariff rates
under the flexible provisions Of tho
law, although the act has been I'M
effect for a year.
President Coolidge WIN kee1
hands off the present trouble. He
is said, however. to be working on
a plan to prevent any recurrence
Of similar difficulties. It was indi-
Gated that this would result In a
recommendation to Congress, 70 b0i
made in the form Of a bill to be
presented by some member, increas-
ing the membership Of the commits
sion to seven.
Seventh Member Favored
With seven members, there
would be no split as q result Of q.
tie vote and the commission would
be enabled to go ahead and mako
recommendations for rate changes
by a majority vote. Such a plan
Is known to have support at the
Capitol.
Six members were decided upon
originally when the commission
was nothing but a fact finding
body and had no authority to make
recommendations to the President
Formerly too, the sole authority to
change rates was vested In Con-
gress. Under the existing law.
the Chief Executive can change
rates to a range Of 30 per cent
when the tariff commission finds
that the duty is not commensurate
with the cost of production of q
commodity here and abroad.