The Washington herald., 1909-05-09

There was q good deal Of sparans II
the Senate yesterday. but nothing was
accomplished The expected votes on the
duties imposed on lead did not take
place.
The Republican leaders say they are
well satisfied with the outlook. and they
certainly show an air Of absolute conf
dence when they assert that the opposi-
ton in their own party VIII go I'D II
smoke
It IS contended that there are signs Of
disintegration in the ranks OF the oppo-
sition. and that every day devoted to
long-winded speeches OF criticism helps
Chairman Aldrich and his Republican. as
scciates Of the Finance Committee, who
ere endeavoring 70 put through the tariff
bill
Democratic leaders are coming 70 recog-
nize this. Senator Bailey and other prom
inent Democrats were working yesterday
with Chairman Aldrich to have a date
fixed by mutual consent for voting on
the income tax proposal Of the Demo
Gratis and radical Republicans. It was
said that some OF the leading Democratic
Senator's had reached the conclusion that
the chances Of providing for the imposi-
ton Of a tax on incomes were becoming
smaller as tine went by. They fear, ap-
pa1ently. that the Democrats viii be d.
vided on this important question unless q
vote is taken shortly.
Burkett Arraigns Committee.
The principal incident CT the tariff de-
bate yesterday was a lecture 10 the Re
publican members of the Finance Com
mittee by Senator Burkett. Republican. Of
Nebraska. in which he charged they had
not heard consumers OF others interested
II lowering duties, nor had they given
he Senator's necessary information con-
cerning schedules. such as the House
committee furnished
To this criticism Senator Aldrich re-
Piled sharply. He said BE considered IL
q misfortune for the country that M
Burkett was not a member Of the C6n1-
nittee on Finance
AlT Burkett had said he was willing
10 remain q Washington until December
Il necess ary 20 get the necessary {nforma-
tion on which 10 act inteIligently Nr
Aidrich replied that 4 he stayed here
thousand years he would not be able 10
give every Senator the information he
desired
Senator Root, Of New York. was presid-
ing at the time The paragraph relating
70 a duty On lead bullion. and pig lead
was under consideration, and Senator
Bristow. OF Kansas. had been speaking in
favor OF q lower duty on these articles
He yielded for fully thirtv-flve mi-utes
while Senator'S Aldrich and Burkett
Jhrashed out their differences, remaining
or his feet the while Then he demanded
his time, and 1Ir- Root enforced the de-
mand
BriSfOyv Attacks witness
IN his argument for lower duties. Nj
Bristow quoted from the testimony OF
1Ir. Bush, Of New York. vice president OF
the American Smelling and Refining
Company. Senator Smoot bobbed I'd with
the suggestion that 3Ir. Buish's company
owned shelters in Mexico. and his testi-
rnony was 10 be taken with allowance.
Senator Smith. OF Michigan. agreed with
this view.
Senator Beveridge said that the fact
that 1Ir BIish owned SmeIters in both
the United States and Mexico, standing
70 benefit whether the tariff was raised
OF lowered. he Of al men ought TO be a
d.spasSionate witness. Senator SmoOt In
sisted on discrediting him
After listening impatiently for q time
until finally Senator Bristow stated thai
Mr Buish was under oath al the time
he testified before the House Commit
Zee, Senator Root rose and said that he
knew Mr. Bush and would accept MS
statements as being fair whether he was
under oath or not
Another witness called by Senator Bris-
tow in favor Of reducing duties On pig
lead and lead bullion was Mr. Liss-
berger, OF New York. who claimed TO
represent independent smelters. Senator
Aldrich attacked Alr. Lissberger (who
has been denOuncing II interviews the
smelling trusO as the nan who wants 10
destroy this entire lead schedule
Senator Suoot popped up with the
statement that Mr. Lssbergers state
ments we're absolutely false"
Nelson Rebukes SmOOt.
Senator Nelson. Of Minnesota. rebuked
Senator Smoot FOR his 'impatence and
denunciation' Of everybody who dis
agreed with the Utah Senator as TO the |
duties on lead.
Originally. Senator Bristow declared. he /
was n favor Of imposing a fat rate Of ~ /
cents a pound On pig lead as well as on 4
lead ore. but that the arguments in the 1
Senate had induced him 10 believe a /
difTentiaI on pig lead is necessary. I
Ee read from the testimony before the /
Ways and Means Committee TO show that
one-eighth OF I cent is a sufficient dif- I
1erentiai 10 protect the smelters Of the
United States The dIf5erential Of five 4
oighths Of 1 cent proposed by the Senate
committee, he argued. Is excessive
Branching out into general discussion
OF the bill, Senator Bristow served notice i
that he VIII vote against the tariff bin
when il comes from conference, II II
does not agree with his views
II the tariff law,-as enacted BY this
Congress he said, Is not an ADEQUATE
Tulfllment Of the pledges made BY the
party for 4 downward revision
OF the tariff, then two years from now
the people Of the United States will elect
q Congress which viii sincerely revise
IRE tssif and give justice 10 the Amer,
icaa consumer"
Thinks Increase Not justified.
Senator Beve-idge wanted 10 know why
Ihe dineTen1ial on pig lead had been
greatly increased by the Senate Finance
Committee uDon the ssna information