Evening star., 1901-06-06
Threat of the American Protective
Tariff League.
MAY Be 4 hot FACTIONAL CONTEST
Feeling Of the Western Republi-
cans on the Subject.
POLITICS IN THE CASE

There are indications that a very lively
factional contest will occur within the
ranks of the republican party at the begin
nmg of the next Congress if certain threats
that are now being made are carried into
execution. The American Protective Tarin
League, the organization Of the protected
interests of the country, has declared war
on those republican representatives in Con-
gress who have indorsed the movement in
augurated by Representative Babcock Of
Wisconsin to take the duty off of articles
manufactured by the bllion-dollar steel
trust.
On the Black List.
The official organ Of the league has at
tackled Mr. Babcock vigorously, and one OF
the officers Of the league who was In Wash
ington a few days ago stated outright that
the league proposed to ''go after every one
of the representatives who either followed
Mr. Babcock or refused to help oust him.
The league Is to attempt to prevent Mr.
Babcock's reappointment on the ways and
means committee and to try to keep him on
the republican congressional committee.
Other members of the ways and means
committee are also said to be on the black
list, and 1t is reported that attempts have
already been comm enced In the congress
sional districts of these gentlemen to dis
affect their constituencies on the ground
that they are disloyal to the republican
platform.
The weekly publication of the American
Protective Tariff League In the issue Of
May 81 had this to say about Mr.. Babcock:
Attack on Mr.. Babeock.
"Mr. Babcock has leaped into fame at
one bound. So did Benedict Arnold. among
others G? p. There is fame and fame
But what about Mr.. Babcocks relations
with the republican party. He is the repre-
sentative-elect of his district in the Fifty
seventh Congress and cannot be unseated
prior to March 4. 1903. He can, however,
be omitted from the House committee on
ways and means when the committee as
signments are made next December and he
can fail of reelection chairman of the
national republican congressional commit
tee. AS the responsible author of bill
whose provisions are in direct conflict with
the platform of the republican party, as an
avowed enemy to the policy of protection
to American labor and industry, is he en-
titled to remain, ought he be permitted to
remain a pseudo-repubican member of the
House ways and means committee? Should
he again be honored and trusted with the
craftsmanship of the national republican
congressional committee? The obvious an
swer is No. To retain Mr.. Babcock in
either position would be to bestow a re-
ward upon disloyalty and treachery. Mr.
Babcock must 60"
Interest I'm the Situation.
The interest in this situation depends en-
tirely upon whether the American Protec-
tive Tariff League succeeds in enlsting the
active aid Of any influential representatives
in an effort to down Mr.. Babcock. The
radical high tariff members Of the ways
and means committee have publicly de-
plored Mr.. Babcock's position and disa-
vowed his bill. But whether they will go
to the extremes advocated above remains to
be seen.
They know, for instance, that Mr.. Bab-
cock is not alone in the stand he has taken.
He has a strong following among republi-
cans in the Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and
Kansas delegations. Some Of the men from
these states have publicly declared them
selves. Mr.. Babcock knows that he has
further reserve support in the middle west
and the far western states that would, If
the fight Is pushed, rally to him.
DisastrOus Results From fractional
Contest.
The question, therefore, is whether in
these circumstances the extreme protec-
tionists will take the responsibility Of pre-
cipitating factional contest In the ranks
Of the party that would be likely to be
productive of disastrous results to both
sides.
1t has been topic Of common discussion
and report around the Capitol that Speaker
movement inaugurated by the western re-
publicans to do something with the trust
question. 1t Is asserted with some posi-
tiveness that the Speaker would be loath
to refuse reappointment on the ways and
means committee to Mr.. Babcock 1t is as
sumed, of course, that Mr.. Henderson will
be reelected Speaker.
The western republicans who are behind
the movement, OF which Mr.. Babcock has
declared himself the standard bearer to
receive the brunt of the attack, have ex-
planned their position in the premises
frankly. They say that they are still pro-
tecttonists In every sense Of the word as II
has been understood and construed by the
party in the past. That is, they advocate
protection to industries that need them.
But, they say. when an industry has grown
to proportions where 1t no longer needs
protection, but is able to control prices and
dominate the trade in every way, thew
believe the tariff should be reduced or re-
moved.
Politics in tho Case.
The politics in the situation, which after
all. is the ruling factor, is that the west
ern republicans feel that something must
be done with the trust question. They say
that in the last campaign the republicans
promised the people remedial legislation
gress met. but, although a bill had passed
the House, the Senate refused to act upon
It.
The western men fear that unless some
thing Is done under the party seal and
stamp the question will come up to bother
them in the next campaign It may not be
that the action will be as radical as pro-
posed by the Babcock bill. But thouRhtfuI
republicans believe that some action win
be taken, and they say the Babcock meas
ure will at least serve to arouse the party
and draw attention to the subject Of anti
trust legislation.