Evening star., 1909-06-16
SUGAR PLUM TREE, IT MAY Be
SENATOR BACON INTIMATES AS
MUCH IN DEBATE.
But st. Julian Variety Is Taxed
When Aldrich. Root and Curtis
Elucidate Darkly.

The Senate paused yesterday evening IN
its serious consideration of the tariff 1"
while away few lightsome moments AT
the expense OF the innocent plum tree.
political and otherwise
Senator Aldrich. chairman of the finance
committee. had proposed a protective duty
on the st. Julian plum. Senator Bacons
agricultural instincts were aroused at
once.
He wanted TO know the reason why. &c
cause. replied Mr. .Aldrich. the St. Julian
is rare plum. All the more reason for
letting in free. thought Mr.. Bacon.
Then Senator Curtis undertook to ex-
plain He said the amendment was Of
fered at the request OF the nursery mems
association.
But Mr.. Bacon wanted 10 know exactly
what sort of plum trees were meant. Mr..
Curtis was sorry. He didn't have the
data at hand.
Somebody handed Mr. Curtis a book.
Curtis Throws Light on Subject.
Now j have the data" announced Mr..
Curtis II will read for the information
of the senator from Georgia:
The plum is fruit native in the
North American continent and very gen.
orally used"
Mirth greeted the presentation of this
BUSINESS was too much for Mr.. Curtis. He
subsided.
II do not think there is any doubt
anout the fact continued Mr., Bacon.
that somebody has got a special lob i'm
this particular class of plum tree or
course ] will offer no amendment
1t may be political plum tree oh
served the senator from New Hampshire.
Mr. Gallinger, never cracking smile
Possibly. agreed Mr.. Bacon. ..They
seem TO be given out here with good
deal Of freedom and much partially
ask that the amendment be agreed
to, said Mr.. Aldrich.
Without began Mr. Bacon
Mr.. Aldrich interrupted
II the senator from Georgia was only
farmer. he would not be obliged to
ask these questions observed he.
Now Mr.. Bacon is a farmer. He is
very proud of that, as well as OF his
knowledge of law
1T is because l am one and live on
a farm that I am interested in this
matter. retorted the Georgian. quickly
The question is on Agreeing began
Vice President Sherman
Mr.. Bacon Hard to Appease.
But I confess my curiosity has not
been gratified." insisted Mr.. Bacon. .'and
am still left to a surmise-a surmse
which I think is very well founded-that
somebody has a monopoly Of this particu-
lar kind of plum trees
Mr.. Aldrich remarked that the senator
from Pennsylvania. Mr.. Penrose. knew
all about it. Mr.. Aldrich " uld have Mr.
Penrose explain to Mr.. Bacon when Mr..
Penrose returned to the city
In the meantime, said Mr.. Bacon.
does the senator propose that the
amendment be adopted by the Senator
Yes
Very we'll"
But before it was adopted Senator Root
OF
information to the discussion, if nobody
would ask him any questions. He said
he had bought many fruit trees and knew
a nurseryman very well. who told him
that the proposed rate on the St. Julian
was an exact specific equivalent OF the
present ad valorem rate on the same tree
II am glad to see there are so many
farmers in the Senate remarked Mr.
Bacon.
II hope the senator will not ask me any
questions. suggested Mr.. Root
And the amendment was adopted no
one voting against it,