Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-15
57TH CONGRESS.
Duty on Foreign Coal Taken
off for One Year.
The House Passes Bill in Short Order,
by Vote Of 258 % 5.
Senate Makes Its Vote Unanimous
Without Any Debate.

Washington, Jan. 14.-The bill re-
ported from the ways and means COM
mittee to provide for a rebate of the
duties on foreign coal for a period of
one year, was passed in short order by
the House, today, by practically unani-
nous vote, 25S-5, those voting against it
being Cushman and Jones of Washing
ton; Gaines of West Virginia; Mondell
of Wyoming; and Patterson of Penn,
all Republicans. The bill was consid-
cred under the operation of a rule
which cut off opportunity to amend
The only opposition to the measure
came from some of the members repre-
senting coal states, who expressed the
fear that the admission of Chinese
mined coal in Canada would injure the
coal industry of their state. Both Dali
zell of Pennsylvania, and Payne of
Now York, the Republican leaders, ex-
pressed the opinion on the floor that
the bill would not relieve the existing
distress
Dalzell after reviewing the history of
the present duty on coal, said the
proceeding dill needed no defense. 1t
was designed to relieve the existing
distress. Nevertheless he said he did
not believe it would accomplish it's pur-
pose He did not believe it would in
crease the Importation of a single
pound of COAL 81 do not believe, . said
he that anything now can stop the
greed and avarice Of the cormorants
who are taking advantage of the al
ready oppressed people, but it will sat
isfy a public sentiment and show the
disposition of Congress to do every
thing in it's power to relieve the situa-
tion.'
Mondell, Wyo., said that the bill
would injure the coal industry of his
state and the northwest generally by
permitting competition. In view of
the stated belief of Dalzell that the
bill would afford relief he asked if the
committee would not consider the
question of reducing the period of it's
operations to six months.
Dalzell said the proposition was
considered but because of the impossi-
bility of forecasting the future of the
coal trade it was not adopted.
Richardson, Tenn, said that the rule
prevented all possibility of amend
ment and he protested against such
a course in such a crisis. He said that
when the stress of emergency came
there was, perforce, a resource to
Democratic doctrine. Williams, Miss,
contending that the removal of the du-
ties must result in reducing the price
of coal.
In concluding the debate upon the
rule Dalzell declared that the by
pocrisy of the other side was apparent
from the remarks of Richardson. The
opposition, he said, was simply play
ing politics. The Democratic 'perfidy
and dishonor' bill had contained a
duty on coal.
A rising vote upon the adoption of
the rule resulted: Ayes, 1876; Noes, 10,
a party vote, except that Perkins, Re-
publican, N. Y, and Gaines, Rep, w.
Va, voted with the Democrats.
A roll call was demanded and the
rule was adopted, .144 to 113, Perkins
and Gaines voting with the Democrats.
Cochran, Mo-, declared that this was
Tate in the day for repentance" on the
other side. If the President and de-
partment of justice, he said, had done
their duty months ago when they We're
"gallivanting" around denouncing
Il uotS, lic SitudliOli WOulu Ue inherent
now"
Gaines, w. Va, opposed the bill, de-
claring that it would give no relief. He
defended the prices charged by coal
operators.
Il know" he said, "of no class of
business men who do not charge what
ever the market permits them to
charge"
Mondell also opposed the bill, say
ing it would injure the coal industry
of his section by allowing Chinese
mined coal from Canada to come into
competition with it.
McDerrnott, N. j., declared that the
bill was an admitted pretence and was
virtually an attempt to deceive the
public into the belief that something
was being done. The Limitation of
time on its operation would prevent
foreign coal producers anywhere from
permanently investing additional capt.
tai to increase their production for this
market.
Grosvenor, Ohio, closed the debate.
He said that by his vote he did not
expect to invite foreign competition to