Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-14
DEBATE GROWS WARM
Factions in Conference at Chicago
Sparring for Advantage.
FRIENDS AND ENEMIES OF TRUSTS
Sharp Fight Over Question of Ref
erence of Resolutions
OF COMMITTEE

CHICAGO. September 14.-The second
days session Of the trust conference opened
here today with William Writ Howe of
New Orleans in the chair and falling off
in both delegates and spectators.
Chairman Howe proceeded at once to
business by putting before the house a
resolution introduced by c. Farr of Mis-
souri, for the appointment OF the Important
committee on resolutions. He called for
committee of fifteen to be selected by
Chairman Howe. To this committee all
resolutions. according to Mr. Farr, were to
be referred without reading or debate. The
motion instantly developed the undercur-
rent of strife between the factions for and
against trusts, which yesterday threatened
the convention's harmony.
An amendment was Immediately proposed
various speakers vigorously urging that the
resolution be amended to allow the COM
mittee appointments to be made by the
delegates themselves, one committeeman
from each state.
The original motion was not acted upon,
but the amendment in regard to the man
ner OF appointment was carried by n stand
ing vote-93 to Il.
Governor Atkinson of West Virginia
rising from far corner, declared that It is
unfair to bind the delegates by resolution.
AK want to BE Heard.
The debate waXed warm, and delegates
ciamoring for recognition rose In every
part of the house
Ex-Governor Luce of Michigan thundered
that the reference to a committee without
reading or debate meant that many a we'll
meant effort would go to sleep in the hands
of the committeeman sleep the sleep Of
Death AT this sally there was a ripple of
nerriment, which ceased with the clamor
Of others who wished to be heard.
Taylor of Indiana, Prince Of Texas and
Collins Of Illinois were heard.
The pro-trust people and the ants We're
fearful. it became evident. that one side
the other would secure control and bind
the minority to something of which they
disapproved
Edward Rosewater. editor of the Omaha
Pee, amid applause, in an informal speech
declared that the people OF the United
States had the courage of their convictions.
He averred that the conference should
adopt such resolutions as 1t saw fit.
Cochran Restores Harmony.
1t remained for W. BourlSe Cochran to
repeat his performance of yesterday, when
he restored the harmony which was lost in
an endeavor to secure a committee on pro-
gram.
Upon his suggestion 1t was finally de-
cided that the committee on resolutions
consist Of not only one representative from
each state delegation, but Of each national
organization. To this committee it was
solved that all resolutions be referred with
out reading or debate.
Mr.. Lawson Purdy of the New York
Tariff Reform Club was then introduced
opening the tariff debate, speaking in part
as follows:
Il do not contend that the only cause for
combination which restraints trade is the
tariff, but the tariff does foster and assist
in maintaining such combinations. The
tariff Is under the control of the federal
government. The abolition Of duties upon
articles produced by trusts is easy, inlrne-
Qiate and effective. When this special priv
ilege Is withdrawn we will then be in a bet,
ter position to do what further may be
necessary"
Mr.. Purdy was followed by Byron W.
Holt OF the New England Free Traders
Club.
The following extract gives the kevnote
of his address:
THAT the tariff, by shielding our manu-
facturers from foreign competition, makes
II easy for them to combine to restrict pro-
duction and to fix prices-up to the tariff
limt-ought to be evident to every iutelli-
gent man. 1t ought also to be evident to all
here that the greatest objection to trusts
is due 20 their ability TO raise prices above
a normal producing point. That the
trusts raise prices whenever possible to
what they consider the maximum profit
point is certain
John F. Seaman of Illinois took I'D the
cudgel on behalf OF the protectionists He
called forth storm of mingled Kisses and
applause by declaring that it was brave
man who. after the experience of the last
few years, would advocate a policy of
free trade.
He compared the conditions of the country
at various times to show that prosperity
was greatest when the tariff was highest.
AT yesterdays session William Writ
Howe was selected chairman of the meet
ing, and after hot discussion was elected
permanent chairman of the conference,
though three vice chairmen, each to pre-
side during one day, were elected. 1t
a happy solution of what at one time.
promised to be a split. No one was willing
TO allow a permanent chairman TO be ap-
pointed to preside at all sessions lest he
should favor some faction. 1t was urged
that the Craftsmanship should change at
each of the nine sessions. The chairman
and vice chairman method of dispos!ng of
the question was hailed with applause.
The vice cnairmen selected Were; Thurs
day, Dudley Wooten, Texas; Friday, Mayor
II. 3. Johnson, Colorado; Saturday S. T..
Cor!iss New York. Ralph M Easiey was
selected as permanent secretary.
The following subcommittee on program
and rules was appointed: II. w. Blair, New
L. d. Sutherland, Nebraska:
j. W. Gaines, Tennessee; J. c. Harley,
Minnesota and A. B. Davidson, Texas.
The committee will make special rules to
govern points of dispute, but ordinary par
Iiamentary rules will generally prevail.