New-York tribune., 1909-05-04
SENATE TARIFF TALK
BORAH FOR INCOME TAX.
Piles Urges High Duty on Lumber
-DoIHrer to Speak To-day,

[From The Tribune BureauI
Washington, May 3-Mcssrs. Piles and Borah
were the tariff orators In the Senate to-day the
former speaking tor more than three hours 1or d
high tariff on lumber and the latter defending the
position of those Republican Senators who favor
income tax Mr.. Borah had not finished ms
speech when adjournment taken, and will re-
sumo tomorrow. No schedules were considered TO-
day, and it is doubtful if the paragraphs passed
over will be taken up before Friday. Senator DOL
liver will speak tomorrow. Senator Bradley on
Wednesday and Senator Cummins on Thursday.
Mr.. Pness speech a protest from the Pacihc
Coast states against any reduction of the Dinsey
rates lumber and warning to his Republican
colleagues that the voters Of Washington ana
Oregon will resenI downward revision of the lurn-
Der schedule He asked that the duty shingles
be increased from SO to 90 cents The Washington
Senator denied that the mills of the United States
produce lumber as cheaply as those in Canada
and declared that the lumber industry in his state
would be ruined by a reduction in the duties. Mr..
Piles said that the agitation for free lumber was
inspired by American millionaires who now control
vast forest lands in British Columbia. Free lumber
would add 81 thousand to the value of the hold
ngs of these men.
Senators Burkett, Crawford, Clapp and others
disputed many of the statements of Mr.. Piles.
There interesting coloquy between MessrS.
Clapp and Piles when the latter read dispatches ana
letters to show that Canadian lumberman sought
to supulate in a contract for the sale or lumber
in the United States that half the tariff duty was
to be returned to him in the event that Congress
placed lumber on the free list. This statement
aroused Mr.. Clapp, who charged that much Of the
evidence submitted to Congress on the tariff ques-
tion is manufactured for a purpose" He said
that Cuban sugar planters are back OF the move
ment TO influence Congress on the sugar schedule
by having the Senate flooded with petitions. He
knew nothing about the facts of the case men
toned by Mr.. Piles, but it would be well for Sem
ators not to accept it without thorough investiga-
ton. for it might be part of a general scheme to
maintain the Dingley rates
Mr.. Borah's income speech aroused several
Senators the Republican side. notably Messrs.
Lodge. Root and Beverdge Once or twice Sen
Bailey assisted the Idaho Senator in replying
TO criticisms Mr.. Borah began by defending the
income Republican legislation. He did not
favor il temporary legislation, but perma-
nent addition TO the policy of the country.
He quoted from speeches made by Senators Sher-
man and Morton and ex-Presidents Benjamin Har-
rison and Roosevelt in support O; his contention
that there is nothing revolutionary or un-Repub-
Hcan in requiring the rich TO contribute part of
their incomes for the maintenance of the govern
The Senate seemed to enjoy Mr.. Borahs criticism
OF Andrew Carnegie. whom he called a who
was always interesting and sometimes amusing
He referred to Mr.. Cainegie's statement that an
income tax would lead to perjury. and said: Mr..
Carnegie did not make the Republican party.
wish was just as sure the Republican party did
not make Mr.. Carnegie" This drew laugh from
both sides of the chamber
Senator Lodge took issue with Mr.. Borah's state
ment that all taxes based on consumption, and
that wealth and property contribute nothing TO
/ support the government. Mr.. Lodge called attcn-
F tion o the fact that and municipal taxes,
which are extremely heavy fall almost entirely on
property. When Mr.. Borsh said that the rich
/ escape taxation Senator Root suggested that many
individuals seem to escape because the taxes on
property owned by them are paid by corporations
/ in which they are interested. Mr.. Rorah said this
vas not always spoke Of l15 estates probatel
in New York. which revealed property worth 80
ooOoo0 which had been taxed on a valuation OF
$4,000.
While there is great interest In the speech Sena-
tor DolliNer IS 20 make tomorrow in criticism Of
the textiles schedules the Republican leaders are
confident that the cotton and wool schedules as
/ recommended by the Finance Committee will be
adopted. II said that nine Democratic Senators
will vote for the schedule II their are
needed and that OF the Western Republican
Senators who have been listed supporters OF Mr..
/ Dolliver will refuse 70 follow him the wool
schedule. The Republican leaders maintain that
Nr Delivers speech is destined to have effect
on political conditions in Iowa than the tariff
situation in the Senate.
Senator Culbersou offered an amendment to-day
placing cotton ties and cotton bagging the free
list. If this concession is granted. many Of the
Southern Senators viii not make any serious pro-
test against the cotton schedule Senators from the
cotton producing states are hopeful that Mr.. AL
drich will reduce the rates on ties and baggng If
/ he does not agree to place them the free list