The Washington herald., 1909-04-03

That they have been forced to speak at
might. when small attendances were a
certainty. was the charge made yesterday
BY several members OF the House OF
Representatives who are opposed TO the
Payne tariff bill.
These criticisms were not directed at
Representative Olmsted. OF Pennsylvania,
who is occupying the chair during the
consideration Of the bill, but the men,
ibers were free 70 say that certain friends
OF the organization were responsible for
existing conditions; that speeches Of GER
tain members who preceded them were
heightened by the unanimous consent
process, with the purpose OF having op-
posing speeches made after the majority
Of the members had left the CapltoI,
Mr.. Olmsted has been commended by
democrats and insurgent Republicans for
the fair manner in which he has allowed
various members time for debate, and
those making the criticisms were anxious
met TO have it understood that he had
been guilty OF shifting the time.
Critics in Both Parties.
It was declared a trick OF the Repub-
incan organization men. and Democrats
and Republicans alike Joined in criticis
ing It. II was also said that neither the
members Of the Ways and Means Com
mittee nor the Republican whip had
-'turned the trick" but that other men
remained on the floor for that express
purpose.
It was said that list Of the speakers
was obtained by the men assigned 10
shift the debate, and that they purposely
asked 70 have the time OF some Of them
extended. so that a man known to be
among the opposition would have 70 take
the floor after most Of hts colleagues had
gone TO their homes.
II practically has been decided that the
organization will carry out the schedules
rumOred for the last week. The rule will
be brought in Monday 10 cut off the gen
eraI debate and set next Saturday as the
time TO take the vote whether the bill has
been fully considered by paragraphs or
not There was report yesterday that
the final vote would be taken Wednesday,
but leaders Of the House denied this.
Threaten Defeat of Rule.
The Democrats are angrier than ever
over the attempt Of the Republicans 70
do what they term rush the bill through
the House" They say that they have
sufficient force to demand fair treatment
and that II the bill provides for cutting
OF the debate before their amendments
have been offered. they can defeat the
rule.
Other Democrats who are holding with
the party say It IS useless 10 worry much
over the changes made in the bill In the
House. as It viii undergo further doc
toringr when It goes 70 the Senate An
nouncement that Senators Aldrich and
Hale propose 20 force a lot OF things
into the bill after Il Is passed by the
House. has been taken seriously by many
Democrats. and they contend that II
would not be a victory anyway. even II
they were successful IN winning their
fight in the House.
The SOutheTnCrs are gradually looking
with more favor on the plan to place a
higher tariff on lumber, and IL is said
that fOrty-fVe OF the men from the Dem
ocratic States viii vote with the Repub-
licans Last week Il looked as II lumber
might be placed on the free list, but those
who pretend TO know the situation pretty
well contend now that the Dingley duty.
which is double that provided in the
Payne bill. will prevail.
PrOtectiOnists May Combine.
Members who are seeking to have the
higher duty on lumber have been holding
conferences with the members who want
q duty on hides. and there is a good deal
OF talk 10 the effect that a combination
VIII be effected that can carry both OF
these points. There are many Demo
Gratis and Republicans who scoff at the
statement that hides viii be dutiable, but
even these are somewhat doubtful as Il
what will be done with lumber. The com
nittee has agreed TO give a separate vote
on lumber. and now the members are
considering the advisability Of allowing
the hide schedule to be settled IN the
same way.
The Kansas delegation held a confer
ience yesterday and discussed the lumber
and hides provisions Of the bill They
want free lumber and a duty on hides
and contend that the majority OF theil
members in the House viii hold on
against the organization rule unless separ
ate votes are allowed on these schedules
Mr. Murdock and Mr.. Madison are IN,
most insistent members on this course
and the House leaders are said to hav,
failed utterly in their attempt to ge
them back in line.
Pig Iron Duty Is Avoided.
The Ohio delegation held another con
ference yesterday and discussed the pl,
iron and scrap iron schedules The duty
on pig is $3.50 ton. and The duty OF
scrap is so cents It is contended tha-
there are plants IN Europe that make
business Of converting pig iron into scral
Iron so that Il can be shipped into tn,
United States with a duty saving OF s
q ton.
This has been brought TO the attention
Of the Committee on Ways and Means