Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-17
REVISION OF TARIFF
Senate and House Take Steps
in That Direction.
PLANS TO SOLVE PROBLEM
Ways and Means Committee to Sit
During Recess.
MR.. ALDRICH GIVES ASSENT
Introduces Resolution Authorizing
stigation-Senator Beveridge
Arranges a Conference.
PLANS TO SOLVE PROBLEM
MIR. ALDRICH GIVES ASSENT


revision of the tariff were taken simulta-
neously in the Senate and the House yes
terday.
The Senate unanimously adopted reso-
luton presented by Senator Aldrich OF
Rhode Island. chairman of the finance
committee. directing that committee to
investigate and report what legislation Is
necessary to secure equitable treatment
of agricultural and other products of the
United States in foreign countries. ana
to look into other matters relating 10 the
tariff. The House adopted a resolution
presented by Mr.. Payne of New York au-
thorizing the ways and means committee.
of which he is chairman. to sit during the
coming recess to consider. In a prelimi-
nary manner. the tariff problem
Ever since Senator Beveridge of In
diana made his speech at the beginning of
this session on his bill to create a tariff
commission sentiment has been crystalliz-
ing on this question. About month ago
there was a conference at the White
House between the President, Senator
Aldrch and Senator Beveridge. and the
subject was discussed. an understanding
being reached that some steps should be
taken before adjournment looking In
general way toward the revision of the
tariff.
1t became apparent. however. that the
Beveridge bill could not get past the
leaders of either branch and a new scheme
had to be devised.
Mr.. Beveridge Busy.
During the past few days Mr.. Beveridge
has been especially busy comforting with
James B. Van Cleave. president Of the
National Manufacturers Association, and
Fl. E. Miles, chairman of the tariff COM
mittee of that organization, who came to
this city for the purpose of talking over
the tariff question with members Of Con-
gress Mr.. Beveridge succeeded In ar
ranging a conference between these gen
tlenIen and Senator Aldrich Friday. with
the result that Mr.. Aldrlch agreed 10
their suggestion to introduce a resolu-
ton such as that passed yesterday.
No time is set for a report by the Senate
finance committee. and the committee is
not specifically authorized to sit during
the recess.
The Aldrich resolution Is as follows:
That the committee on finance is an-
thorzed. in connection with investigations
heretofore ordered by the Senate, with the
view OF promptly securing the information
necessary for an intelligent revision of the
customs laws of the United States, to call
to their assistance experts in the execu-
tive departments of the government. and
10 employ such other assistants as they
shall require; and they are especially di-
rected to report what further legislation
is necessary to secure equitable treatment
for the agricultural and other products of
the United States in foreign countries.
and they shall also. in the consideration of
changes of rates. secure proof of the rela-
tive cost of production in this and i'll prin-
cipal competing foreign countries of the
various articles affected by the tariff
upon which changes in rates of duty are
deSira ble.'
Minority Cries "Politics."
Mr.. Payne said in the House yesterday
that in order not - disquiet the country
before election the ways and means COM
mtttee would make no general inquiry In
volving the question of rates In the
schedule After the election, he SAID, that
subject would be gone into.
Mr.. Underwood of Alabama. a member
of the committee. declared that the reso-
luton came as a surprise to the minority.
THE resolution he said. shows the
usual republican hand. Undoubtedly 1t
is brought in as subterfuge to extend
to the country in one hand promise TO
do something and with the other with
draw it whenever desired"
The resolution was described by Mr..
Williams as one that could be understood
by child fourteen years Of age 1t was
not. he said. the fear that business IN
terests would be disquieted. but that
things would be disqufeted In poiticai
sense He asserted that the republican
ma iority dare not bring up prior to cleo
tion a proposition for tariff revision. In
asmuch as the resolution discharged the
committee on rules from its considera-
ton Mr.. Williams seized upon that fact
to iteroret it as an exposition OF lack
of confidence. The committee on rules,
he said had been discredited and the
innuendo spread abroad that the com
mittee had not done it's duty.
Views Of Members.
In the opinion of Mr.. Randell Texas.
the resolution was but "A frying pan to
fry the fat for campaign purposes
This action" remarked Mr. Fitzgerald.
New York marks the complete demoral-
zation of the republican machine in the
House" 1t began. he said. when the
Speaker. ignoring the committee on ways
and means, appointed the wood pulp in
vestigating committee, and he said il
was the forerunner of the complete de-
moraliZation and rout of the republican
party.
Mr. Payne closed the debate by stating
the republican program for tariff revision.
1t will be a protective tariff he said.
1T will be maximum and a minim m
tariff. putting us on the equality with
France. Germany and Russia in that re
spect and we will go out with that tariff
as We did with the Dingley tariff in the
firm belief that we will bring renewed
prosperity to the people of the United
States; we will broaden our markets with
the nations of the earth. and by that We
will bring blessings to all the people