Evening star., 1909-05-20
NEEDS NO PROTECTION
Southern Senators Kill Duty on
Cottonseed Oil.
PROPOSED BY Mr.. ALDRICH
Amendment Stirs q Storm of 0pposi-
tion From Democrats.
NOT AFRAID OF FOREIGNERS
Tillman, Bacon and Money Lead in
Attack on Finance Committee
Chairman.
PROPOSED BY Mr.. ALDRICH
NOT AFRAID OF FOREIGNERS

Senator Aldrich. chairman of the finance
committee. raised q storm of opposition
on the democratic side Of the Senate this
afternoon by offering an amendment to
the tariff bill making cottonseed oil
dutiable at cents pound. After Sena-
tor Beveridge Of Indiana had come to the
consented to withdraw his amendment
and allow this product to go on the free
list.
without the duty upon cotton seed oil
some foreign country might under
favorable conditions dump its oil on the
United States. This supposition was
laughed to scorn by the southerners,
who declared that no other country
could possibly compete with tho United
States in this industry. They claimed
that the proposition Of the chairman of
the committee was indefensible on
every ground. for it would yield no
revenue. They call attention to the
enormous exports Of this product from
this country.
Senator Beveridge recalled that Mr..
Aldrich had said during the consideration
Of the alleged schedule that weight
% De to the 81
tee ought to be governed by their opinions
In matters affecting their own states.
Here was matter. Mr.. Beveridge said.
In which every southern senator was In
actly contrary to the wishes Of all OF
them.
Mr.. Aldrich's reply was that a number
Of cotton seed oil manufacturers In the
south had asked for the duty, having
been presented to the committee by SEN
ators, but that IL all OF the southern SEN
ators were opposed to the duty he would
withdraw the amendment, which he did.
Debate in Detail.
When the item was read Senator Till
man promptly rose to ask on whose sug-
gestion such a duty was recommended.
Senator Aldrich explained that the Ding
ley law provides for duty Of cents q
gallon on cottonseed oil, SO that this rec
ommendation caused a reduction Of cent
gallon.
This suggestion had no effect In paci-
flying the democratic senator's. Senator'S
Tillman, Bacon and Money were espe-
cially urgent In insisting that they want
ed no duty whatever. Before the dis
cussion had gone on very far Mr.. AL
drich proposed to withdraw his amend
effect OF putting an end to the criticism.
Mr.. Aldrich said that Germany and
other countries were Offering bounties for
the production Of cottonseed oil. and he
not protected 1t would be overflowed with
the foreign product. He had been APP
pealed to by southern men engaged in this
industry for the protection he suggested.
Mr.. Bacon declared that the American
cotton seed oil needed no protection, but
ho mt dyltv would raSli1t In
having maximum duties imposed on cot
ton seed now admitted to those countries
free Of duty, as we'll az on other duties
on American products, but Mr.. Aldrich
would not concede the point.
Would Help Farmers.
Mr.. Tillman wanted to keep up the mar
kets abroad for cotton seed. and when
asked by Mr.. Aldrich II he would see the
cotton seed oil made abroad and then i'm
ported into the United States he replied:
"of course, 1 would II we get a higher
price on cotton seed. The farmers are en-
titled to some consideration"
Mr.. Smoot suggested that cheap labor
abroad would produce cotton seed oil
cheaper than in the United States. Mr..
Tillman with energy retorted: Cheaper
than in the south? Cheaper than we can
produce 1t with our negro labor of 80 to
Is cents q day? Whoever told the sena-
'I think said Mr.. Smoot. there are
some countries in which labor is paid
even less than 50 cents a day"
Mr.. Beverdige suggested that II all OF
the senator's Of the south protested
against this duty the chairman of the
committee on finance was not justified in
urging II.
Senator Money manifested considerable
sarcasm in his remarks, saying: 1T was
gratifying to the people Of the south to
find the senators from Rhode Island and
Utah so solicitous about cotton, although
they could not grow cotton and knew
nothing about It"
Mr.. Aldrich Yields.
"Will the gentleman allow me to with
draw that amendment" inquired Mr.. AL
drich, as soon as the Mississippi senator
began his remarks
Yes. but will not allow him to with
draw my remarks retorted Mr.. Money,
as he continued, refusing to yield the
floor.
Mr.. Money said the south needed no
protection on cotton seed oil. and Mr..
Aldrich declared that he had taken the
action that was being criticised upon the
representations of southern men who had
been introduced to him by four or Ave
senators"
After further remarks by Mr.. Money,
Mr. Beveridge inquired whether 1t was
fully understood that the amendment was
withdrawn and that cottonseed oil was
on the free list. MIR. Aldrich nodded as
sent and the chair so announced.
Mr. Simmons then said he merely want
ed it understood that he did not approve
should be placed on cottonseed oil.