The Ketchikan miner., 1908-04-18
AN EMBARRASSED MAJORITY

AN EMBARRASSED MAJORITY
 The Presidents recommendation b congress that wood palp and print paper be put on the free Its, "ss a welcome one 10 the newspaper putt fishers throughout the country, with ou, respect 10 party. Through their association they had been making an insissent demand for such legislation, only 10 find themselves an against s stone wall, in the form ot the Ways snd Means committee Of the House. To request that a hearing be given them. Chairman Payne ot that con- mistee replied; The majority of the committee determined early in the session that is would nOs hs wise 10 enter upon revision of the tariff dur ing this year. thus adding 10 the un- certainty and disquies always caused 6y presidential election. They also had in mind the disturbance caused by the recent panic. In order to avoid sll agitation they decided they would have 10 hearing uqon any subject affecting the tariff rates. Alter re- ceiying yOur letter l again talked 10 the members of the committee and they adhered 10 that opinion. there fore feel authorized to say 10 you that there will be 10 hearing upon tariff rates until after the presidential elec- tioo. X careful canvass of the
 House membership gaye assurance from majority that they would sup nor, the measure if II could be got be
 fore them. but the committee adhered 70 i;s original Gecision. to permi, nothing sayoring tariff revision tu l be brought up or talked about. As the Speaker was with the committee
 and the House tied hand and foot by rules which allows the Speaker ard his committees 10 exercise autocrstil ! powers. the outlook for such action I.
 the publishers desired was nos at ai ] promising.
 The Committee or Ways and Means,
 together with the majority of ths i House. now find themselves in a very
 embarrassing position: on the ont side the President recommending ths
 immediate repeal Of the tariff duty or
 wood pulp and print paper. and on ths other side. the Democratic minorii.
 asserting that it will permit no legis latiou until this measure is passed 1 having first introduced a bill Of tha character. After it's very positiy,
 declaration that is would not evei perni. the subject 10 be mentioned ! it's meetings. the committee CT Way and Means now finds itself iu 3 yer.
 el1 oarras>ing position. into which i
 has liseSise forced the House ma ja,i
 ". and from which i, IS very likely [, be forced 10 rscede by deterined ac
 lion of the minority. who assert tha they will need thirr! votes from th, majority 10 pass the legislation asked
 for by the publishers.
 The woou pulp legislation is asked
 for on three grounds: First. as <; measure ot relief 10 the publisher
 and their many millions Of readers
 second. b prevent the print papsl
 business from passing into the haudt
 Ut monopolis'ic trust aud third. a
 3 further protection 10 OUT forests.
 any parsons. except those interested ! in she paper making trusts, are opp5s
 si b the proposed repeal, they ar, very chary about letting Il be known.
 IL is admitted bg nearly everybody ts ] be most desirable legislation aue
 that II can be passed without affecting
 in the leas. any other protected indus try. l. would not necesSitats a. changes ia otner schedules. Of itsesi.
 and nas TO allied iud,ustry that wouIa l iu the leasc degree be affected.
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