Evening star., 1925-06-15

Commission that the duty on raw
sugar be reduced probably will mean
the ultimate abolition of the commits
sion,
Mr.. Coolidge differs with the com
mission in its Interpretation of basic
data and, feeling that the ultimate
duty of determining the matter" rests
upon hin, Tnder the law, felt justified
in ignoring the commissions recon-
mendations.
Contrary to Expectations.
For more than 10 months the com
mission has filed its report with the
President, who did not proclaim It, but
continued the investigation in his
own way, securing additional data
from the commission. as we'll as other
departments
orally conceded to be the way the
commission idea would work out when
the measure was debated in Congress
1t was thought then that the commits
sion being composed OF disinterestet
persons would sit in a quasi judicial
capacity. and that the Presidents s
part would be more or less perfume
tory in conforming to the law by max.
ing public the commission s recon-
Emendations. 1t was argued that the
tariff would thus be taken out of poll
ltics, that the President himself would
fbe relieved of the usual pressure OF
polittcs and tariff intrigue and that
Hhe commissions word would in ef-
Sect be law. The 1920 Republican ma
rional platform pointed with pride to
pine commission as an agency for the
emaking of tariff rates lower when
They were too high and for increas sing
Them when the necessity arose The
p1eXibility feature was emphasized as q
way TO meet changing economic con
h!tions.
. Hopelessly Divided.
AS it has worked out, Mr.. Coolidge
Ehas. in almost every case that he has
sected at all. proclaimed a higher duty
.Ihe members of the commission itself
Shave been hopelessly divided In de.
bates and controversy almost from the
start. Political pressure has been ap-
pied here and there either at the White
House or as against members Of the
commission themselves. Finally Mr.
Coolidge has had to make changes in
personnel. It's a different commits
sion today than it was when the very
same sugar report was filed with Mr..
Coolidge. Commissioner Lewis, Demo-
crat, was not reappointed and his posi-
ton was given to another Democrat
Prof. Dennis, who happened TO be a
lifelong friend of MIR Coolidge.
Commissioner Culbertson OF Kansas.
Republican, who voted with the mi.
nority to reduce the sugar tariff, has
been appointed Minister to Ruman MIA
Commissioner Costigan Of Colorado,
who ran for governor in 1912 on the
Bull Moose ticket. voted with the mi
norlty, and remains the only member
of the so-called progressive wing on
the commission. Commissioner Bur.
CESS. who voted against tariff reduc-
ton and is a protectfonist, resigned
recently to go into business
Commissioner Marvin, who halls
from New England, of course is
protectionist. Commissioner Classic
didn't vote because Of a family in.
terest in sugar. but It Is supposed
that even though he is a Democrat
he would have voted against reduc.
ton Of sugar tariff, thus making the
final lineup three to three, in which
case Mr.. Coolidge felt that he had
the deciding vote
This division has existed for a long
.Sine, so that the commission has
meant apprehension TO the protection
lists and evaporation to the other
&ide.
Most Outstanding Case.
The sugar case has been the most
OlS belOT6 lne COTnrntS-
sion. No explanation has been given
at the White House for the delay in
announcing the Presidents decision.
The report came to him almost a year
ago@July 31st-and Senator La Fol.
1ette was at the time discussing sugar
and arguing for a reduction. After
election, however. the report still
failed to appear. and ever since there
has been mystery about the delay In
some quarters 1t is pointed out that
the President was not really obliged
to make any decision if he took no
action, and that only increases or de-
creases-in other words, an actual
thange-required publicity
In any event, the Presidents state
nent puts an end to a long -drawn.out
controversy. reveals the fact that the
ETarif Commission is a bipartisan body
land hat the President. after all, is the
Fdectding factor, with his power Of ap.
Epointment as we'll as power of review
sUnder the circumstances it would not
fbe surprising If the director of the
budget recommended to President
Noolidge that the Government might
seconomize by abolishing the commits.
Ssion altogether. or. at least, reducing
ft TO the status of an investigating
khoard, which 1t was during the vii.
sEon administration. The findings were
supposed to be useful to Congress, but
That body even then followed it's con.
Fstitutional prerogative and did az it
ETiea Se6 irrASOeCfive of To ~