The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-03
Democrats Style the Measure Imperfect and As a
 False Pretense
CLAYTON CONDEMNS THE
 POLICY OF REPUBLICANS
Alabama, Congressman Speaks at Length and Indulees In Sharp criti- cism of Framers and Sup
 porters of Payne Bill.

Washington, April 2.-That the Payna bill was filled with ritous imperfec- tions, was false pretense was de- signed to cover up the extravaganza of the republican administration. that 1t did not redeem party pledges and that it sounded the death knell of the dominant party, were some of the criticisms passed upon the measure by the democrats In the House today.
 An interesting feature in the debate was the speech of Fable Ocampo de Leon. the Philippine commissioner who attacked the provision for free trade with the Philip pine islands. From the far south ex- actly opposite views were expected re- garding protection. MT. Ransdel of Louisiana pleaded for it on behalf of the industries of his state. while MT. Spight of Mississippi and MT. Clayton of Ala bama, wanted free lumber. hides. boots shoes. bagging and cotton ties The I speech of MT. Clayton was of considerable length, and he engaged in several heated | colloquies with members on the republic I an side. From the republicans came sug- 1 gestlons of permanent tariff commis- sion and while all of them supported the l bill in general. none appeared entirely | satisfied with it.
 Others who spoke on the measure were | Messrs. Moore of Pennsylvania Young of New York, Lindbergh of Minnesota. Bow 1 CTS of Mississippi, Langley of Kentucky Covington, of Maryland. Burke of Penn l sylvania. Townsend and Hamilton of Michigan, Morse of Wisconsin, CuIloh of l Indiana, Copp of Wisconsin and Chand- , Ter of Mississippi
 The speeches at the night session for the most part were along the lines Of those previously made Mir. Currier of New Hampshire opposed the rates inn posed by the Payne bill on wood pulp and print paper. contending that they do not provide sufficient revenue.
 MT Heflin of Alabama severely arr raigned the republican party, while Rep l resentative Fucker of Missouri, Goldfoglo of New York, Dixon of Indiana, Cline of Indiana and Ferris of Oklahoma opposed the Payne bill whole. Mir. Davis | of Minnesota argued for free lumber and Mir. Fowler of New Jersey urged the 1 creation of a tariff commission. MT Hughes of New Jersey claimed that | the republican party favors free trade in only one commodity which he said was labor. The clock was turned back an hour, the House adjourning at Il p. m.
 South Changing Views.
 Claiming that the whole south is rapid ly changing its idea with regard to tariff protection, MT. Ransdell of Louisiana argued for a duty on long staple cottep and deprecated the provision for the free entry of 300,OO0 tons of sugar free from the Philippines. He said the division of the opinion between political parties has been the preparation of the tariff sched- | ules, and declared it would be wise for the lawmakers to unite some sensible, business-like plan for providing money on which to run the government; that po- litical differences should not be allowed 1 to enter into the financial question.
 Surely the mere raising of revenue he argued, lis a commercial problem-not | a political one. But along with the finan- cial feature of tariff bills is the more serious one of protecting home industries The south feels deep interest in the | tariff. It has not secured financial re- turns from the protective features of the | system equal to those sections of the union largely engaged in manufacturing. | Nevertheless 1t has many industries which are affected.
 ''Being citizen of Louisiana, which | has SO many protected industries-sugar rice and lumber-I cannot help leaning somewhat to that side. and in my opln- ion the whole south is rapidly chang ing it's ideas on the subject" said MT. l Ransdel
 Consumption of Cotton.
 To illustrate the growth of the cot | ton manufacturing industry MT. Rams dell read a table of statistics prepared by the census bureau which showed that I the consumption of cotton for manufac- | turing in the cotton growing states has | increased A per cent in the last eight years, while in New England and other states it has remained practically sta | tionary. He contended that the south erner is in favor of increasing the duty | on cotton manufactures because of tho benefits resulting from having the cot ton farm.
 Claiming that there has been rapid , growth in the importation of long staple cotton which competes with the Sea l Island and other long staple varieties grown in the southern states, MT. Rams dell proposed placing a duty of 8 1-3 per cent or five and one-half cents a pound on Egyptian or long staple cot ton.
 Mir Ransdell said he feared that the proposed admission free of Philippine 1 sugar would be the entering wedge that | will eventually drive the sugar industry | from the union." He expressed the hope that President Taft would prevent the wreclxing of the continental American sugar industry He also advocated an , amendment to the Payne bill which would protect the American rice industry from the free importation of rice from the Phil ppines, if the latter imports rice from Japan and China for exportation to the | American market
 Cry From the South. 1 It is humilating to hear cry com | ing from the south for protection on some | articles. especially sugar and hides. be- cause they happen to be produced in that section, said MT. Speght of Mis- 1 sissippi If, he argued. the bill would ] put shoes on the free list. its framers l would not be glaringly inconsistent. 1 MT. Spight did not agree with those | opposing the reduction of duty on lunl- Der and he wanted bagging and ties l put on the free list.
 The bill. in the opinion of MT. Bow | | <roNuuNurrn nv pAGU aA