The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-29
Drifts Into Politics" in
Hearing Before Tariff
Committee.
LITTAUER PRAISES
REPUBLICAN PARTY
Paints Glowingly Beginning of
Era of Good Times Since
Taft'S Election.

Representative Champ Clark, who is
assured OF the leadership Of the mi
nority in the next House Of Representa-
lives. and who loses no opportunity 10
charge the Republicans with everything
that is wrong in the United States. gave
his explanation before the Ways and
Means Committee last night o. the de
preston throughout the United States
prior to the election OF Judge Taft.
The business men Of this country.
said Mr.. Clark. entered into con-
spiracy to hold Up their orders, create
a fear in the hearts of all men, so that
they could elect their candidate for
President.
MI, Clark's statement was prompted
by the statement Of former Representa-
tive Littauer, who appeared before the
committee in favor of d higher duty on
certain lines of gloves. Mr.. Littauer
for the moment forgot that he was
manufacturer ana sailed off into ii pO-
Hucal speech. painting glowingiy the
prosperity which had resulted from the
election Of Judge Taft.
Prosperity has gone on in an amaZ-
ing fashion since election day" said Mr..
LIttauer, enthusiastically.
Newspaper Talk"
"Oh. thaEs al newspaper talk" said
Mr.. Clark deprecaungly.
NO. it is not" replied Mr.. Littauer.
we can't get enough men TO do our
work. Why I want to tell you-wen 1
won't make a political speech. But /
want TO say that I have never been so
impressed as 1 was by the sentiment
which has prevailed throughout the
country since Judge Taft was elected
Mr.. Littauer's eulogy of the Republic
can party and the resulting applause
which greeted his remarks. was the one
bright spot in the dreary proceedings of
the Ways and Means Committee which
dragged through a period of fourteen
hours.
The schedule on hides was expected TO
bring forth a strenuous night with the
tanners, leather manufacturers, anu
shoemakers on the one hand and the
packing interests on the ether, but the
packing interests did not put in an APP
pearance. Consequently there was a
unanimous demand for the removal OF
the duty on hides, and an almost unant-
nous consent for free trade on leather
and shoes.
manufacturers, and shoe manufacturers
had given their testimony that the wires
had been crossed. Representatives OF
each industry had agreed at meeting
held Friday night that the speakers
would oonhne themselves to their own
particular industry.
Upset Their Plans.
Persistent cross-examinat!on by the
Democrats members of the committee,
however, upset their plans. and soon
the leather men were telling what profit
the tanners made. and the tanners were
telling what profit the shoe manufac-
turers made. AT the noon recess an
impromptu mass meeting was held and
the law was read to the men who would
represent each of the three industries
at the afternoon session. Again the
Democrats upset the plans, and each in
dustry was telling the secrets Of the
other. Their testimS ny, however, was
gratifying 10 the committee. for it was
generally conceded that with a free
market on hides the American shoe
manufacturer could compete with the
world on his finished product. and the
leather manufacturer said he had moth
ing 10 fear If he. too. could have free
hides.
once more Indignation was rampant
among the three industries and another
mass meeting was held at the New VII
lard tonight. when IL was decided 10
make their plea before the Senate Com
mittee. The shoe manufacturers will
ask 10 be protected to the extent Of not
less than 10 per cent. and the leather
manufacturers Will ask for like protec-
ton.
Want Art Free.
Aside from the leather men the fea-
ture of the day and night session was
the demand for the admittance into
American ports OF art free OF duty.
The advantage Of having free paint
ings and other work of art had been
painted IN such glowing coIors that Mr..
Clark was seriously concerned about the
effect II would have on Washington.
Newton H Carpenter. secretary of the
Chicago Art Institute. asked for free
duty on all works Of art.
Have YOU ever looked over the col
lection Of bronze horses We have in
Washinston?" asked Mr.. Clark. MI.
Carpenter admitted that he had not.
Well said Mr.. Clark, IF we nut art
on the free list I hope we have not got
10 accept some more of these objects.
There are only two that should not he.
broken up for the juaK heap and they
are the ones Of Thomas and Hancock. %
James Townsend, of New York. who
appeared to oppose the free duty on art
objects. said that even under prese Mt
conditions foreign paintings, which were
kT own TO be fakes and which were
bought in Paris for S25. were being sold
on Broadway for $500.
jerome hasn't anything to do lust
now" said Mr.. Clark. why don't YOU
have him clap some of these swindlers
into the penitentiary."
'UnfoTtunately said Mr.. Townsend.
1T is impossible to get the art critics
TO agree on what is fake and what is
genuine"