Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-01-29
Coolidge Accused OF Move To Delay
Sugar Duty Report.

President Coolidge, Senator Smoot, Of
Utah, and others were charged in the
Senate last Saturday by Senator Norris.
Republican, Of Nebraska. with attempting
to influence William S. Culbertson. as a
member Of the Tariff Commission. to delay
the commissions report on the tariff.
Senator Smoot. said the Nebraska Sena-
tor, called Mr.. Culbertson into conference
with representatives of the sugar interests,
who were fighting against any reduction
Of the tariff. Senator Phipps. Republican,
of Colorado. and about IS members of the
House were present, he said.
Senator Norriss also declared that while
the commission was deadocked to on the
sugar case. Culbertson was offered trans
fer to the Trade Commission with an in
creased salary.
He presented a memorandum which he
said was prepared by Culbertson. describ-
ing the conference. and saying it was the
view Of those present that the commits
sion's investigation had been based on a
wrong method Of computing production
costs.
Senator Norris declared that the Presi-
dent wanted to hold back the report on
tariff hearings until after the 1924 cleo
ton. and had requested the commission to
drop the sugar investigation and start a
butter inquiry.
When this failed, the Nebraska Senator
said charges were brought against Com
missioner Culbertson and former Attorney
General Stone submitted a report on the
CHARGES adverse to Culbertson to President
Coolidge.
president Coolidge sent for CuIbertson,'
Senator Norris said. land talked with him
about the charges. and. as Culbertson was
about to leave the Office and with the
adverse report lying on his desk, the Pres
dent again asked Culbertson If he could
not delay the sugar report"
In July, 1924. Senator Norris said. Cul-
bertson was called to the White House
and asked by Secretary Slemp II he wanted
a diplomatic post. Several posts were
discussed, and finally Culbertson was ap-
pointed Minister to Rumania, post he
now holds.
THE effect of that was to take a great
influence of the Tariff Commission by
getting him out of the country" inter-
jected Senator Robinson. Of Arkansas.
Celebrating his description Of the charges
filed against Culbertson. Senator Norris
said: Commissioner Culbertson had agreed
to deliver lectures at university in Massa-
chusetts. After a conference with other
members Of the commission. he agreed
that it would be all right to deliver the
lectures.
while in the course Of the delivery of
the lectures in July, he was asked to come
to the White House. He went there and
was told by the Presidents private secre-
tary that charges had been filed against
him for violating the law in delivering the
lectures. He was told there that dis
gruntled person who had lost case before
the commission had made them.
HE was told to see Mr.. Martin. an as
sistant in the Attorney Generals Office and
after talk with Commissioners Lewis and
Costiean these two went to see Martin.
They were told that the practice of the de-
partment had been to construe literally the
statute dealing with the Tariff Commission
and he did not believe the charges amount
ed to anything. Later Mart n told Cul
bertson over the telephone his case was
progressing satisfactorily.
"Afterward Martin telephoned Costiean
and Lewis and told them to see the Attor-
ney General at once. as he did not know
what had happened, and did not know what
would be the outcome Of Culbertsons case
They went to see the Attorney General at
once and Attorney General Stone told them
that he had an adverse report on the Gull
bertson case and was sending il to the
White House.
'Costlean aud Lewis asked that they be
permitted to file written statement with
the report Attorney General Stone ex-
pressed regret. but said that he was being
urged to send the report to the White
House. but that he would tell the Presi-
dent that they wished to submit a state
ment."
II was shortly afterward. Senator Norris
said. that the President sent for Culbert-
son and discussed the case with him.