Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-04-02
Of GEORGIA
IN MAIDEN SPEECH
BY Ralph Smith

WASHINGTON, March SO.-The tariff
debate in the house this morning was
opened by Representative Hughes, OF the
Third Georgia district, who made his
maiden speech. He was recognized ilnnle-
diately after the house was called to or
der, and when he addressed the chair was
given a round of applause by his Demo-
cratic colleagues.
Although it was his first effort IN the
house, Mr. Hughes speech would have
done credit to an oId-timer. He exhibited
no embarrassment and his delivery was
strong and clear. His discussion displayed
a familiarity with the tariff question that
was alike pleasing and impressive to some
Of the older Democrats.
The Georgian discussed the tariff ques-
ton from the standpoint of a southern
farmer. He dwelt upon the determinations
against the cotton farmers Of the south
in the Payne BILL especially in the mat
ter of jute bagging and cotton ties He
handled at some length the further dis
elimination against the cotton mills of the
south in the matter of manufactured cot
ton goods.
Today's debate was Joined in by Mr.. Cox.
Ohio, who pleaded for reduction in the
duties on sewing machines, bicycles and
computing scales. He argued that by
reason of the favored nation clause. Ger
ship sewing machines and bicycles into
Russia, France and other continental
countries at about half the tariff impos-
ed on the same articles of American
manufacture. Because of this fact the
American manufacturer was handicap
ped in extending his foreign trade.
Unless the tariff was reduced, he said,
the manufacturers Of the products men,
toned would be forced to build factories
abroad, which would result in throwing
out of employment in this country many
skilled workmen. The maximum and
minimum feature Of the bin, he declar-
ed, to be not worth the paper 1t was
written on and in consequence would not
relieve the situation. Referring to va
rious witnesses before the ways and
means committee. Mr.. Cox said:
"A prohibitive tariff inspires such a
lust for gain and gold that these men
come here and swear their souls down to
the gates of hell in order to get govern
ment license to rob the people"
Asserting that the Payne tariff bill Is
a revision downward and not upward,
Representative Bates, of Pennsylvania,
spoke in the house today in favor OK
protective tariff.
1.-The difference between a revenue tar
III and protection is that increase which
will stop ruinous competition" he said.
THE plate at a duty of one cent per
pound means" he said, ''the employment
of 1900 American workingmen. 1t means
annual wages of 10000, 900 per year and a
net saving TO the American people by rea-
son of a lower price paid for the last
twelve years of nearly $40, 100000
1--WE have known nothing Of hard times
in this country during the past year
compared with the experiences of Europe
and especially England and Ireland,
where is practiced the tariff for revenue
policy which is today advocated by our
Democratic friends on this floor" con-
tinued Mr. Bates. He declared that In
Belfast which is the center OF the text
lie fabric industry and where 10000 hands
are employed, the wages Of the men
range from Sc to IS per week, and those
of the women performing the same labor
in this county are from two to four
times as much. The average weeks
work is s. hours, and workmen only ex-
list by the closest economy.
Reiterating that he was part
ly responsible for retaining the
fined petroleum, Mr.. vreeland, of New
York, said that while to many people oil
and Standard oil seemed synonymous,
there were $4,000 American citizens bring
ing to the surface every day nearly $780,.
600 worth of crude petroleum who had
no more to do with the Standard Oil
company than had the farmer who raised
wheat to do with the miller to whom he
sold it. Mr.. Vreeland said the schedule
was based on hundreds of petitions from
hundreds of oil producers. and that re-
moval of the countervailing would not
benefit the Standard oil company, but
would seriously injure the business of the
independents.