Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-06-22
PRESENT TARIFF BILL
IF MADE LAW, WILL
DEFEAT REPUBLI CANS
CONTINUED from Page one.)

not make this explanation on the floor,
he would submit his argument as TO
why the rate should be advanced In
printed form, so the senators could in
form themselves on the subject, and
be able to determine to their own sat
isfaction whether the facts in the case
warranted an increased rate.
House liz Explicit.
Always, in the past, when the finance
committee of the senate, either adj
vanced or lowered rates fixed in the
tariff bill by the house, the senate rs
a body was informed as to why the
changes in the bill had been made
The explanation of each new rate was
nade in great detail in report which
was sent to the senate along with tha
bill.
Senator Aldrich introduced a new
system. While~the tariff bill was still
uncompleted in the house he was
holding private conferences with rep
lresentatives of the big manufacturers.
On their representations the Rhode
from protection were not sufficient
He decided to increase the rates.
When the house bill came to the SEN
ate, it was referred to the committee
on finance, of which Aldrich is chair
man, and he Immediately made the
suit of the testimony of the representa-
tives of the special interests. What
that testimony was no one knows save
Aldrich and a few trusted lieutenants.
Never Word from Aldrich.
Then he sent the bill with the re-
visions to the senate-without one
word of explanation as to why some
of the advances had been made. De-
mand after demand was made upon
him for information. He made a gen.
eral statement to the effect conditions
had changed since the Dingley law had
been made. that NOR revenue was
necessary. but not single word as
to what reasons the big manufacturers
had given for wanting particular rates
increased, or not word as to why he
had advanced the particular rates.
AS one amendment after another
came up for vote, renewed demands
were made for information Most of
them were artfully sidestepped one
way or another. Aldricch was satisfied
that the advances were justified, as a
'result of the secret hearings, and he
didn't care whether anyone else was
satisfied or not. He to all practical
ends demanded that the senate vote
on the amendments blindly, taking his
word for it that the advanced rates
were necessary.
All But Few Accept Fiat.
Save 10 or IL senators, known as in
surgents, the republicans accepted Aid
rich's word for the advances and vot-
ed for amendment after amendment.
In many instances they voted as Aid
rich wished them to, without the
was justified or not. These senators
are known as regulars or stand
patters." At the outset Aldrich had
made arrangements with them fer
their regularity" The senate boss
gave them certain tariff plums in the
way of advanced rates or Dingley
| rates on schedules in which they were
interested, with the understanding
they would 'stani pat and vote to
support every amendment that Aid
rich had made in the house bill.
Therefore it was not necessary for
Aldrich to make a satisfactory explain
| alton as to why a certain rate had
been advanced. He knew that his
"standpatters" outnumbered democrats
and insurgents.
In this way joker after joker crept
| in. And thus was created a bill that
| will affect the living expenses of 90
100000 people, and which perhaps will
some day be referred to as "the Aid
rich crime
|