Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-30
CONGRESSMAN TRY
TO FIGHT ON FLOOR
DEMOCRATS HOLD BYRD, OF
MISSISSIPPI, To PREVENT HIM
FROM ATTACKING FORDNEY,
OF MICHIGAN.
By Ralph Smith.

over the LUMBER schedule OF the tariff
bill in the house this afternoon came
near 10 precipitating a fight between
Representative Byrd. OF Mississippi, and
s Representative Fordney, OF Michigan
The former. who is two-thirds Indian.
struggled with several Democrats in
an effOrt to reach the Michigander and
resent an insult.
Fordney subsequently apOlogiZed and
the incident was closed.
Fordney, a Republican. is a lumber
manufacturer and was pleading against
q reduction in the present tariff on
common lumber. He had answered
questions from all parts or the house,
but all efforts to extract from him adj
mission OF the existence OF a lumber
trust proved unavailing.
He sidestepped such suggestions with
agility. though he admitted that per-
haps the retailers had some trade ar
rangements. Byrd asked Fordney il IL
was not a fact that the lumber manu-
facturers had an agreement and fixed
prices.
Fordney denied knowledge OF such an
agreement. Then Byrd declared that
the legislature OF Mississippi had con-
Quoted an investigation which estab-
lished the existence OF a trust among
the lumber manufacturers or an agree
ment to hold up the prices Evidently
-
ed applause from the house, Fordney
holly replied:
You don't know a damn thing about
It" Instantly Byrd dashed for Ford
ney. but was caught by Representative
Sims and others.
Humphrey Opens Debate
when the tariff bill was laid
before the house today Mr.. Hum
prhey. OF Washington. took issue
with some statements made by
Mr.. Payne in his opening speech re-
garding the number OF orientals en-
gagged in the lumber mills OF British
Columbia Mr.. Payne. he said, left the
impression that there were fewer ORR
entails working in such mills there than
IN the state OF Washington. That state
ment was erroneous, he said He de-
ciared that over so per cent Of the men
engaged in the lumber and single mills
OF British Columbia were Orientals,
were paid lower wages than American
: min laborers and that, therefore. the
cost OF production was less.
Mr. Humphrey. in pleading for an
fncreas ed duty on shingles, warned the
representatives that they could not es-
cape their responsibility insofar as
the problem Of Oriental labor was con-
cerned-
ssPIace at Pie Counter"
"A place at the pie counter is desired
By Us all" said Representative Pou. Of
North Carolina. in discussing the tariff
hin IN the house today. but I have Of
ter Thought that our Republican friends
get there quicker. stay longer. and are
lrder 10 force away than any class of
people on earth, therefore. rather than
lose its place in the national restau-
rant. that party promised TO revise your
Dingiey tariff: and when you agreed to
revise IT, you meant to revise il down.
ward. in a manner fair and just to all
sections. and the people so understood
it,
But he asserted that the Republican
party had not done So
Mr. Pou argued that shoes should be
placed on the free list II hides are ad-
mitted free OF duy. He criticised the
wool schedule, declaring that the very
neceSsaries of every day living have
been doubled by the imposition OF the
duties provided there. He also said
that the duties on wOmen's ana child
ren's gloves have been increased. with
the result that every woman and child
in America viii suffer.
CriticiZes Republicans
Mr.. Pou criticised the Republicans for
not granting Gle peanut. mica and long
staple cotton interests OF the south the
Increased duties that they requested and
claimed that the only reason for refus-
ing was the fact that the people in the
sections OF the south where they are
produced did not vote the Republican
ticket.
The reduction IN the lumber schedule
was also attacked BY Mr. Pou, who de-
cIared II was another evidence Of the
favoritism shown in the framing of the
bill
He said that every American citizen
who must pay the advance i'm the price
OF tea. which he claimed would result
from the duty placed on this beverage
would hold the majority Of the house re-
sponsible.
Speaking in favor OF the placing of Ium-
Der on the free list Mr.. Rowland, of Ohio
declared that the continuance OF a lum-
Der tariff on the statute books as a pro-
tective tariff casts discredit on the entire
system OF protection. He said that those
who favor the tariff on lumber oppose its
removal because IL keeps up prices and
makes Il pay TO work Up the entire tree
and not Leave the tops and limbs in the
forest 70 rot or burn.
Claiming that Canada was one of the
largest purchasers OF American lumber
and forest products, Mr. Rowland said
this would lead to the conclusion IL we
were able 10 compete now I'm the Canadian
markets. that the need for the tariff no
longer existed. He said the talk Of cheap
er Canadian lumber and cheaper cost OF
production I'm the Canadian mills was the
merest buncombe.
The argument that high prices for for
est products tend to conserve the forests
Is an attempt on the part Of the lumber
men 10 bring themselves within the scope
OF the public sentiment for forest con-
servatiOn.'' said Mr.. Rowland.