Evening star., 1928-03-15
.COST|CAN RESIGNS,
REOP'EN|NG BATTLE
Tariff Official AssaiIs Board
and President as He
Quits Post.

By the Associated Press
The long -smoldering fires of dis
agreement in the Tariff Commission
were rekindled momentarily today with
the sudden resignation of its Oldest
member. Commissioner Edward p. Co.'S
tigan of Denver. who simultaneously
delivered an outspoken attack against
three OF his colleagues and President
Coolidge. e
The last OF the original Woodrow
Wilson appointees, Costigan terminated
exactly II years on the commission yes
terday by rendering his resignation
and taking parting shot at the high
tariff" or Marvin group" In the six
member body.
In a letter to Senator Robinson of
Arkansas. Democratic floor leader, who
two years ago headed committee in
vestigatlon of the tariff body. the re-
firing commissioner. long at logger
heads with the administrations tariff
policies. assaiied President Coolidge for
failure to lower rates when the evidence
clearly demanded 1t and charged the
Executive had helped to wreck the
commissions usefulness"
Attacks Commissioners.
Chairman Thomas o. Marvin oi
Massachusetts and Commissioners Sher-
man ]. Lowell OF New York and Edgar
b. Brossard OF Utah were those against
whom Costigan leveled his attack with
In the commission
Declaring they had been reckless or
occasions In their treatment of facts
and the law" he said this group had
consistently worked for higher rates
and against important reductions. and
that the manipulation Of the commits
sion since 1922 is but part OF the
total picture OF present-day Washing
ton In an era which history may YET
summarize as the age OF Daugherty
Fall and Sinclair"
Marvin was pictured as a 'tireless
and fanatical protectionist, known III
Washington as tariff lobbyist for New
England protected interests"
Erossard, Costigan asserted. had long
been known in Washington as a politi-
cal protege OF Senator Smoot. who has
created the impression OF biased as
distinguished from a scientific or judi
ciai mind
Lowell Under Fire.
Members Of the Senate investigation
committee" he wrote. In further refer.
ence 10 Br0Ssard, "are aware that while
testifying under oath he appeared al
times 10 be cautiously hiding material
information within his knowledge which
WAS sought by such members"
| Lowell was described as lacking
| equipment or special qualifications foi
| the duties Of the Tariff Commission.
and as appearing 10 vote prejudices
rather than facts" when he acted In.
dependently He even seems 10 take
pride In parading his misconception ol
his official responsibilities" Costigat
| charged, adding that Lowell had toif
! the commission that he WAS not dis
aenting" man and would keep silll'
rather than note his dissent In reports
10 the President.
! IL Was well known In Washington
the Colorado member said, that presi'
dent Coolidge had long ceased per
! s1naliy to C,iihuIs or pace confidence
In his own designated Tariff Commits
sion chairman"
| OF 81 reports made under the flexible
provisions ot the tariff act OF 1929
which permits the President 10 raise
OF lower rates AZ much ~ 90 per cent
C6sligan said the Executive had pro-
Claimed lb increases some OF 'mucl
tafiff significance" and b decreases 0
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