The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1905-01-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsnlNeroN. d. G.. Ian. "a. 1905.

has been strikingly illustrated during
the past week, while the Ways and
Means Committee has been conduct
ing hearings on the bill urged by
both the President and the Secretary
of War, and which provides that but
% per cent of the Dlngley tariff shall
be collected ON sugar and tobacco
from the Philippines and
that other imports from the Philip
pines shall be admitted duty free.
The President urged this legislation
in his message as essential to the
welfare of the archipelago and Sec
rotary Taft has haunted the halls of
Congress trying to impress their
duty III the matter on members of
the lower house, but the fact that
hearings" have been held is regard
ed as indicating the unwillingness OF
the leaders to permit the passage of
the bill. The fear that some pro-
tceted interest, and particularly the
Sugar Trust, may suffer is leading
such prominent republicans as Dial
zell, Grosvener, Payne and others
to oppose the measure and its
chances in the House are indeed
slim, while in the Senate they are
nil
The course OF certain members oil
Congress believed to be controlled
by Railroads is being watched with
extreme interest by those who es-
pouse the cause of the people versus
the great common carrier monopo.
lies. The President has made it SO
plain that no member of Congress
can be in doubt as to his duty re.
garding the railway rate question
The small shipper needs the protec,
ton of the federal government
against the rebates and diserimina-
lions which have built up the great
trusts u Che country by methods
conceived and first practiced by the
Standard Oil Company and since
adopted by every successful trust
Despite these facts. however, there
seems to be set determination te
prevent adequate legislation and tht
opposition is developing in most in
siduous form. Astute members o
Congress are resorting to their IA
vorite tactics and less wise member.
are making their usual plumbers.
The uninitiated Senator or Repre-
sentative takes it for granted thai
the best way to hill bill. or defeai
a policy, is to speak against it ant
vote against it. Not so the initia
ted. He appreciates the danger O
such a course where the bill or polio,
commands popular respect and h,
snsr eIole puses dts IT'S ItIeuu, uul lie Il
too solieitous. With a determine
ton to secure full and complete ant
accurate knowledge on the subject
he persists in bringing in witncsse,
who take up the time of the commit
tee having the measure in charge
until it becomes too late in the ses
sion for action. This is called
"strangling in committee" and il
the favorite method of Senator Ell
kins, Representative Dalzell, Genera
Gfosvenor and similar statesmen.
Another favorite practice, especial,
with measures of national impor
tance and affecting the railroads, i!
to amend the bill with the professet
purpose of strengthening, its provi
sions, with the real purpose of rem
dering it unconstitutional so thai
after the Government has pressed il
in the Courts at great cost o
money and time it will fall before tn,
Supreme Court of the United States
These are the methods employed by
the astute STATE smen, but they have
still another to fall back on. AS &
last resort, they excite the radicals
in Congress to a pitch of enthusiasm
which utterly beclouds their better
Judgment and leads them to insist
on such extreme legislation as to in
sure ultimate defeat for the measure
which they have been instrumental
in amending.
All of these methods will be EN-
ployed before the opposition will al
low the remedial railway legislation
urged by the President to be placed
OH the statutes. The friends of the
administration and the Democrats,
will exercise the utmost vigilance to
prevent the success of any OF these
methods without complete expo
sure of the perpetrator, whoever he
may be- OF course, a majority will
rule in any event, but it is regarded
as almost as importaut that the