Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-06
Influence of Tariff Act on Po-
IjtiCaI Events.
DEPENDENT ON CONDITIONS
Odds Believed to Favor Prosperity
Among Wage-Earners.
ATTITUDE OF THE INSURGENTS
Believed That Their Course Will
Not Elect Democrats-No More
Tariff Legislation for Years.

In the closing days of the tariffs con-
sideration there were many earnest con-
sultations among republican politicians in
the House and Senate and exchanges of
views over the possible prospective polit-
ical effect of the tariff law upon the
republican party, especially in respect to
: the election of the next House of Rep
resentatives.
The view of the ma iorty of the republi-
can political leaders that the political
effect is, i'm measure. gamble, depend
ent upon the industrial condition of the
country ut the time the elections are ap-
preaching. The odds were thought to be
in favor of favorable conditions of pros
perity among the wage-earners and the
farmers, but not sure thing.
These political managers said they re-
alize that very much will depend upon the
attitude of labor, whether it is satisfied
or not If the mills start up and the
railroads thrive. and if labor does not
make demands i'm excess of what en-
ployers thing the renewed prosperity war
rants, fair weather is expected. Other
wise, look out far squalls.
lation expects material reductions in
prices TO the consumers. The promoters
of the legislation confidently anticipate
increased employment of labor and resto-
ration. not necessarily increases, in wages
The politicians count upon the enjoy
ment of steady wages to bring satisfaction
with prices.
Attitude of the Insurgents.
Looking over the field, the politicians
have been unable to become very much
frightened over the prospect of republi-
can losses in the next House. 1t is true
that opposition to the tariff law was
voiced by republicans. who are expected
to reiterate 1t from now on. Senator La
Toilette served ample notice in the Senate
yesterday afternoon that he will take the
stump promptly and continue to agitate
for further reduction.
But" ask the politicians, will La
Toilette, Cummins, Dolliver, Clapp Mel
son and Beveridge. with their colleagues
In the House delegations, urge the voters
to turn out the republicans and put in
democrats in order to secure reductions?"
On the contrary, they are counted upon
TO urge further revision. but revision by
the friends of prOtection"-to wit, the
republican party. SO the politicians can
not see any menace of danger to the
party majority in the House In that cam
paign.
1t is pointed out that all these pro-
gressives in the House and Senate kept
their records clear by voting against the
tariff bill. Minnesota. Iowa. Kansas and
wisconsin, the supposed seat of radical
revision sentiment, voted through the
representatives of the radical districts
against the bill. Those representatives
will go home, and while continuing the
agitation for revision will insist that
they be sent back to Washington to keep
up the good work. 1t is case of the
faithful servant. whose efforts should be
rewarded, they will claim.
So, for all practical political purposes
the only effect of the stand OF these pro-
Sressives. in the opinion of the politicians
VIII be to square the republican sitting
members with the sentiment of their dis
tricts and facilitate their denomination
and election.
Grievances of the Mountain States.
Taking the case of the intermountain
states, some of them grumbling because
not enough protection was given the
managers cannot see how it will avail
the voters to get revenge by turning out
the republicans. who fought for protec-
ton and putting III democrats who are
avowedly for still further reduction. In
point of fact. however, the intermountain
states have not been badly treated in this
bill. with the single exception of the hides
duty. Wool. lead and coal have been we'll
protected and these are their main prod
ucts.
As for the Washington and Oregon folks
the political managers cannot for the life
of them see how the voters can send dem
ocrats who will surely advocate free lum-
ber, while the sitting republicans have
stood for as big duty on lumber they
get
Thus. in the opinion of the republican
POLITICIANS. the logic of the situation in
the middle and far west does not present
menace 10 republican prospects. That
brings the whole proposition back to the
great industrial section of the eastern and
middle states, where the labor vote holds
the balance of power.
In the congressional districts i'm those
states the question will be presented TO
the labor voters by the democrats, Are
YOU getting enough prosperity out of the
improved industrial conditions to warrant
paying the prices for the products you
consumer The politicians all agree that
there is where the rub will come and
none OF them at this time prophesy
what actual conditions will confront the
two parties when the campaign opens.
Tariff Legislation on the Shelf.
Some thought also has been given to
the possible effect of the further agita-
ton OF tariff legislation by the little band
OF proSressives who have made the fight
In Congress. II Is the calm Judgment OF
the most Influential men in both houses
that tariff legislation is on the shelf for
tn next dozen years at least. That is
actual tampering with rates.
No matter what changes might occur in
the House OF Representatives i'm the sue
ceeding congressional elections the pro-
tecttve majority iii the Senate Is likely to
stand invincible for many years to come
1t may be impaired. but il is not likely
to be eXtinguished.
On the most extreme test votes the pro-
tectionists showed a majority of ten and
eleven in the Senate. IL is within the
possibilities that Indiana might elect a
democratic legislature again and suppian,
Beveridge with democrat. To what
end? Beveridge is already counted with
the progressive and democratic vote and
in effect Indisrla's vote would not lessen
the protective majority.
The same with Wisconsin,, Minnesota
Kansas. Iowa, Nebraska: suppose they
send democrats to the Senate. il will make
no change in the vote, as their senators
have been taken into the calculation which
yields that protective majority of ten
and eleven
For these reasons the political managers
count upon a decade at least of ma jority
In the Senate against further tariff re-
vision