The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-30
Mr.. LITTAUER AND THE
HOUSE GLOVE DUTY.


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This question about the duty on
gloves opens up an interesting ethical
side of the tariff making business.
Should an unnecessary and unpopular
increase Of phenomenal extent be made,
IN the duty on a necessary of life for
half the people, because a man worth
from five to, fifteen millions is a good
fellow, and wants it2" Is the good
fellows" case strengthened by reason of
the fact that he has been a member of
the House of Representatives, a close
adviser of its ruling powers, and a mem
Der of the inner coterie which bosses the
lower branch of the Government
The conference report has decided
these queries against the demand for an
advance in rates; and it has decided
rightly, albeit the President Is en-
titled to the credit for the conclusion
reached.
There Is no doubt about Mr.. Lit
tauer being a good fellow. Everybody
agrees to that. There is no doubt about
his icing an excellent business man.
lie succeeded to the head OF the great
glove making business of his father
when he was only twenty three years
old. He has succeeded alike in business
and in politics, serving a half-dozen
terms in the House and rising to be one
of its leaders The fact that his name
was uncomfortably connected, while he
was a member Of Congress, with some
large glove contracts with the Govern
ment should not be enumerated to the
disparagemeLt of Mr.. Littauer, for be
was indicated and held guilty of no
improperly.
Mr.. Littauer was the close friend of
Speaker Cannon, Representative (now
Vice President) Sherman, and the other
House leaders. He helped nominate
Mr.. Sherman for Vice President at the
Chicago convention, and he came to
Washington on c Q D call to help
the Cannon forces win their fight for
control Of the House organization last
March.
As politics goes, that is a record of
usefulness and influence which is not
to be overlooked. But did it entitle
Mr.. Littauer to have the glove duties
raised 100 per cent or more in order
to advance his industry? Did it en-
tirely justify the attitude of the House
leaders in making this 'lift for lit
a sine qua non, OF something very like
it, to the passage of a tariff bill? Does
it give more agreeable aspect to the
spectacle Of Mr.. Littauer, a seeker for
tariff favors more startling than any
other industry in the land has asked.
constantly in association and conference
with the leaders of the House, presum-
ably advising about the conduct of the
pending legislation
Mr.. Littauer is a good fellow and a
potential politician; but it is doubtful
if the people who buy gloves would
appraise his good fellowship so high as
to be willing to have the price Of their
gloves raised all along the line. He has
some millions OF dollars, which gives
him the ability, if he should feel the
inclination, to be a generous contributor
TO campaign funds. There may ever be
doubts if that justifes making a tariff
schedule especially to please and profit
him at the expense of the rest Of the
country.
From all accounts, Mr.. Littauer has
more money than most people ever get,
or would know what to do with if they
got it. On the ground of his personal
needs, there seems small justification
for increasing his profits by taking the
money out Of the pockets of other
people.
This whole affair of the glove duty
has been one of the most sordid and
least pleasing incidents Of the making
of this bill. President Taft has demon
strated again She possession Of good
taste as well as sound sense and right
Judgment, in insisting that this big in
crease should not become part Of the
tariff law. 1t certainly ought not II
would be one of the most loud smelling
aspects of a program which at best has
an ample supply of odors.