Evening star., 1926-01-18
PRESIDENT YIELDS
TO BUFFERS PLEA
Runs Counter to Own Desires
in Naming Marvin as
Tariff Head.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

L
publican, as chairman of the Tariff
Commission for another year, Presi-
dent Coolidge yielded to the appeal
of Senator William NJ. Butler of
sachusetts, his preconvention and
campaign manager last year.
Mr.. Coolidge had about made up his
mind to let the vice chairman of the
Commission, Alfred Dennis. a Demo
crat and his personal friend become
chairman. The move was favored as
a means of appeasing the sentiment
in Congress which is threatening re-
opening of the whole tariff question
Mr.. Coolidge also wanted people to
know by the change that he was a
moderate and not a high protectionist
Mr.. Marvin is an avowed ultra-pro-
tectionist. He is said to have never
voted to reduce the tariff on anything
The argument presented to Mr.
Coolidge by virtually all the Repub-
iican members of the New England
delegation was that Mr.. Marvin's re-
tention was necessary for the good
of the party. MIR. Coolidge was told
also that unless he reappointed Mr.
Marvin he would jeopardize the
chances of Senator Butler for re-
election in Massachusetts. Mr.. Butler
may have as his opponent former
Senator David Walsh. and it appears
as if the fight is to be close enough
without having a rift in the Repub-
lican ranks. Mr.. Buffers friends in
sisted that if Mr.. Marvin wasn't des-
ignated as chairman ii would be
hailed by the opposition s proof that
Mr.. Butler didn't have much influence
with the Chief Executive and that
To-, !,
high protectionist policy.
Investigation Is Likely.
Mr.. Coolidge was torn between con-
f1ctins desires but came to the con-
clusion that all things considered he
had TO reappoint Mr.. Marvin, espe
cially as the attack made by Senator
Norris of Nebraska makes certain a
congressional investigation. If Mr..
Coolidge could have been sure that
new appointment would have saved
a congressional investigation, he might
have postponed the selection of a new
chairman, allowing the acting chair
man to remain in charge
The drive on the Presidents con-
nection with Tariff Commission ap-
pointments is, however, part of a gen
eral bombardment all along the line
against Mr.. Coolidge for having en-
deavored to influence the policies of
the various Independent commissions
by understandings in advance with
prospective appointees. There is no
denial that Mr.. Coolidge asked for the
resignation of Commissioner Haney of
the Shipping Board, a Democrat, be-
cause hes did not keep an understand
ing on policy which Mr.. Coolidge said
he had with Mr.. Haney.
Agreed to Resign.
Now Senator Norris of Nebra ska
has disclosed an exchange of letters
between w. S. Culberson, now a mem
Der of the diplomatic service, but
formerly member of the Tariff Com
mission, whereby the latter under
took to pledge David j. Lewis. Demo
crat. to agree in advance when ac-
cepting the appointment. to resign at
the Presidents convenience.
Some fireworks may be expected in
the congressional investigation, in as
much as f. p. Costigan of Colorado.
Republican, and Western insurgent,
is planning to furnish Senator Norris
and the committee with all the records
and informal ton concerning executive
proceedings in the Tariff Commission.
This evidence Is supposed to be con-
firmatory of charges that certain
manufacturing and producing inter
ests controlled the acts of the COM
mission through political and other
channels. 1t probably will disclose
also that Mr.. Coolidge has not always
been in sympathy with Chairman
Marvin and that one of the strongest
opponents of Mr.. Marvin has been
Mr.. Dennis. a Democrat and personal
friend in the confidence of President
Coolidge. The chances are that the
Western Republicans in Congress will
seize the inquiry into the Tariff Com
missions acts as an argument to
abolish the commission and revise the
tariff.