The Washington herald., 1909-03-31

the House on the Payne tarin bin was
the speech Of Representative Edward b.
Vreeland. OF New York.
Mr.. Vreeland admitted he was instr,,-
mental In having the countervailing duty
on petroleum retained in the Payne bill
at the request OF constituents in his dis
TRICK IN the oil business and vigorously
defended the provision against the as
saults OF the Democrats who contended
that the countervailing duty is an ad-
vantage to the Standard OIL Company.
Mr. Vreelsnd read a letter from Lewis
Emery, IT., Democratic candidate for gov
ernor OF Pennsylvania IN the last cam
paign, and an Independent oil producer.
saying that the cOuntervailing duty on
petroleum is OF no assistance to the
Standard Oil Company. but is a great
help to the independents
Standard Control Not Complete.
Mr. Vreeland said it is an error TO
suppose the Standard OIL Company is IN
complete control Of the entire oil supply
OF the country.
independent oil producers" he de-
elared. ARE refining about % per cent
OF the crude oil Of the United States. The
Standard produced about i per cent or
crude petroleum and the other producers
Of the United States about 50 per cent"
After outlining the extent Of the oil
Industry in foreign countries. Mr.. Vree-
land began consideration OF the Industry
in this country. Speaker Cannon inter
rupted Mr.. Vreeland as he spoke Of the
oil industry of Illinois
-flff11 a
rupt him, touching Elinois?" the Speaker
inquired. This oil field is new and has
been four or i've years in developing.
My Information is that all we know of as
developed is about One-thIrd. about one
half of which Is in the lower part Of the
district ] have the honor TO represent.
and part OF IL in the district that my col
league. Mr.. Foster. represents. My in
formation from crude petroleum men in
the two fields Is that there ere. in round
numbers. 300 faTRerS, owners OF small
tracts and small shopkeepers and others,
who are receiving royalties from these
OIL wells Just wanted TO add that 70
what the gentleman from New York has
said.
Cut Crude Oil Prices.
In reply to a question by Mr.. Hardy. OF
Texas. Mr. Vreeland said the Standard
Oil Company acquires oil fields in for
eign countries, and exploits these fields.
Wherever the Independents have covered
territory and bought oil. Mr. Vreeland
declared, they have invariably compelled
the Standard 10 increase its price paid
for crude oil. IN reply TO a question by
Mr. Anthony, OF Kansas. Mr.. Vreeland
admitted the price Of crude oil IN the
Kansas fold
Sl25 10 IS cents per barre, and that Il IS
Improbable for many wells TO be oper-
ated.
The countervaillng duty upon either
crude or refined petroleum" Mr.. Vree-
land declared, has not cost the American
people one solitary mill during the last
ten years 1 want TO make the broad
statement that If the cOuntervailing duty.
as against Russia. should be repealed to-
day by Russia. not by US. because we
levy no duty against Russia, that not a
barrel Of Russian refined oil could come
into this country unless II was brought
I'm the tank steamers Of the Standard Oh
Company. mixed with their OIL
CarOIinian for Free Lumber.
Representative Kitchin Of North Caro-
lima, made a long speech. in which he
advocated placing lumber on yhe free list.
Mr.. Kitchin is standing out against all
the other members OF the delegation from
North Carolina on the question OF free
lumber. He denounced the Southern
Democrats who favor a protective tariff
system He got into a wrangIe with Mr..
Graham Of Pennsylvania. when he de-
clared that many men in Pittsburc vera
out Of work and were begging on the
streets Representative Burke. Of Pitts
burg, took issue with Mr. Kitchin. when
the latter charged that there were more
highly-protected industries in Pittsburg
than anywhere else in the United States. /
Mr.. Ktchin then got into a debate with
Representative Miller, OF Kansas. IN
which Mr.. Kitchin succeeded in forcing |
Mr.. Miller to admit favOring the placing
OF lumber on the free list, and that he in /
tended 10 vote against any rule to limit /
amendments 10 the tariff bill. Mr.. Kitch- !
In took issue with the statement OF Mr.
Fordney. OF Michigan, as 10 the existence
o. lumber trust. and submitted evidence !
tending 10 show that there was such |
monopoly.
Opposes Tax on Tea.
General debate was opened by Repre- |
sentative Cox, OF Ohio. who protested 4
against the proposed tax on tea. He also /
asked for reduction Of the tariff on sew
Ing machines and bicycles, because for
eign manufacturers. aided by the favor /
able tariff abroad, can underseH American
manufacturers throughout Europe. There !
Is no remedy, he said. except for Ameri- /
cans TO establish factories abroad. unless 4
the tariff IS reduced. Representative Ster-
Ing Of Illinois. spoke in opposition 70 /
placing hides on the free list. II the chean
hides OF South America and AustraIia
come into the Emitted States free Of T,utv
Mr.. Sterling said. the American farmer
viii suffer decrease In the price or his
cattle Reductions on leather. and boots
and shoes, in the Payne bill. be declared
Is blow at the farmer of the country.
Representative Parker spoke in enjoy
o. the protective principle. He was fol-
lowed by Representative Richardson 81
Alabama. who denounced Il.
Representatives Morgan. OF Missouri.
Lowden, Of Illinois; Byrd. Of Nrississinn,
and McKinlay. OF California, occupied the
time Of the night session on the tariff hin
from $50 until II O'Clock
Mr.. Morgan talked OF a tariff bin for
revenue only. Mr. Lowden discussed re-
ciprocal trade relations. Mr.. McKiuiav
dwelt on the Oriental trade. Insisting rnar
Japan was Wrestling this commerce from