Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-14
Coal Rebate Bill Goes Through
Almost Unanimously.
YEAS WERE 258; NAYS, 6
DEMOCRATS CHARGE REPUBLI-
CANS WITH BAD FAITH.
Senator Tillman, Speaking on the
Vest Resolution, Criticises
the Administration.

The attendance in the House galleries to-
day was an evidence of the general interest
in the proceedings which were to take place
upon the bill providing for tine rebate of tine
duty of 81 cents ton on foreign coal for
period OF one year. An unusually large
number of members were on the floor, and
the leaders on both sides were in their
places After the transaction Of some pre-
Iimnary business Mr.. Grosvenor (Oho).
from the committee rules. presented
resolution supplemental to that adopted
yesterday, directing the committee on mer-
chant marine and fisheries to investigate
the coal situation. The resolution author
lied subcommittee of the committee to
take testimony. 1t was adopted.
Rule for Rebate Bill.
Mr. Dalzell (Pa). from the committee on
rules, then presented the special rule for
the consideration of the coal rebate bill.
1t provided for the Immediate considera-
ton of the bill, with provision for one
hours debate. at the end Of which time the
previous question should be considered as
ordered without intervening motion. Twenty
minutes on side were allowed upon the
rule.
"Greed of Cormorants."
Mr.. DalzelI. after reviewing the history
of the present duty on coal. said the pend
ing bill needed no defense. 1t was designed
to relieve the existing distress Neverthe-
less, he said, he did not believe 1t would &C
complish Its purpose. He did not believe 1T
would increase the Importation of a single
pound of coal. Il do not believe" sa d he.
that anything now can stop the greed and
avarice of the cormorants who are taking
advantage of the already oppressed peo-
pie but it will satisfy public sentiment
and show the disposition of Congress to do
everything in its power to relieve the stu
alton"
Mr. Mondell Cwyo) said the bill would
injuriously affect the coal industry CT his
state and of the northwest generally by per-
uniting competition, and in view of the stat
ed belief of Mr.. Dalzell that the bill would
give no relief, he asked if the committee
would not consider the position of reducing
the period of its operation to six months.
Mr.. Daizel said the proposition had been
considered. but because of the impossible
ity of forecasting the future Of the coal
trade 1t had not been adopted.
MI. Richardson Protests.
Mr. Richardson CTenn) called attention
to the fact that the rule prevented all pos
sibility of amendment and he protested
against such course in such crisis.
Proceeding Mr.. Richardson said when
the stress of emergency came there was
perforce a recourse to democratic doctrine.
Mr.. Williams (Miss.), who followed Mr..
Richardson contended that the removal Of
the duties must result in reducing the price
of coal
In concluding the debate upon the rule.
Mr.. Dalzel declared that the hypocrisy
IF the other side was apparent from the
remarks of Mr.. Richardson. The opposi
ton, he said. was simply playing politics.
The democratic ''perfidy and dishonor' bill
had contained duty on coal.
1850 The Rule Adopted.
Of ba
;ue resulted ayes 1873. noes 10. a party
vote with the exception of Mr.. Perkins
N.Y. and Mr.. Gaines CIV. Va), who voted
with the democrats.
~ roll call was demanded and the rule
Was adopted-144 to 113-Messrs. Perkins
IN. " and Gaines CIV. Va.) voting with
the democrats.
Mr. Richardson said that neither he nor
any one OF his colleagues was opposed to
the bill
Mr.. Payne Supports the Measure.
Mr. Payne On. ". in support of the
measure. sketched briefly the emergency
which made its passage advisable. He did
not believe its enactment would result in
the importation of much coal or in much
reduction In its price.
The report which Chairman Payne SUBJ
mitted explains that the measure is an
en- Urgency one. demanded because of the
scarcity and high price of coal, resulting
from the recent prolonged strike in the
anthracite coal mines Precedents for such
legislation are found in the Chicago fire
and the fire at Eastport, Me. In these
cases Congress related the duty on lumber
used in rebuilding In the burned districts.
Whether this legislation will increase
the importations or reduce the price of
coal Is a question on which men differ
But 1t is all Congress can do In the prem
ises, and will satisfy the demands of many
NJ cit har L, th-z
ed coal famine in any part of our country
We cannot turn a deaf ear to the cry Of
the people.
The committee did not consider It best
to make any changes in the tariff on coal
after the period of one year had expired,
preferring to bring in this as purely
emergency measure, and not desiring to go
into the question of tariff revision, even
upon this one article. If any relief can
come to the people from such legislation,
It will be amply secured in the period pro-
vided for in the BILL
Mr. Maddox (Ga) denounced the whole
proceeding as piece of humbug.
Blames the Administration.
Mr.. Cochran (Mo.) declared that this was
''late-day repentance" on the other side If
the President and Department of Justice
had done their duty months ago when they
were gallavanting around denouncing trusts
the situation would be different now"
MIR. Goldfogle On. " spoke along the
same line.
In reply to a question by Mr.. Mccall
tMass.l Mr., Payne said that In his opinion
the rebate on coal would apply to coal in
bond.
Charges Bad Faith.
Mr. McDermott declared that the present
price of coal in this country was so high
that foreign coal would come In without
reference to it. If foreign coal miners in
tended to send any to this country. He
charged the republican leaders with bad
faith in saying that they had done all they
could by providing the rebate. and asserted
that not one dollar additional would be
invested in foreign coal mines to enlarge
their machinery and increase their output
or that one more laborer would be hired
In order that coal might be sent to the
United States.
However. II Congress had absolutely re-
moved the duty on coal it would be an en-
enlargement for foreign miners to enlarge
their pidEts and Increase their output
General Grosvenor of Ohio replied briefly
to Mr.. McDermott by stating that he for
ore would not vote to encourage foreign
capital to enter into competition with any
Industry in the United States.
The Bill Passed.
A vote was then taken on the bill. result
Ing In 23S yeas and nays. Those voting
ba n