The National tribune., 1909-05-20
CONGRESS.
Report Of Proceedings From Day TO Day.
Senate.

Senate.
Monday. May 10.-The Senate now
meets at IL o'clock each morning.
BY a vote of A TO 35 the Senate de-
clined to accept any proposed reduction
of duties on the lead items in the tariff
bill, and sustained the rates reported
by the Senate committee. These rates
are those of the existing Dingley law.
In reaching this conclusion IL Re-
publicans voted with the Democrats to
reduce rates, and two Democrats voted
with the majority of the Republicans
to main the higher rates.
The Presidents message on Porto
Rico was received and referred to the
Committee on Porto Rico and Pacific
Islands.
The Presidents message on Porto
Rico was read. An attempt to have it
referred to the Ways and Means Com
mittee was frustrated by the Demo-
Gratis, who demanded that the Commit
tee on Insular Affairs be appointed to
take the message in charge. There was
no quorum present. The message Is
now lying on the Speakers table.
Representative Payne. of New York,
reported the Philippine tariff bill from
the Ways and Means Committee to the
House, and gave notice he would call it
up for consideration on Thursday.
Representative Steenerson, of Minne-
sofa, introduced several resolutions,
calling for an investigation of alleged
suspensions of the pure-food law by the
Departments of Commerce and Labor
and Agriculture.
At 12:45 the House adjourned until
Thursday at noon
Senate.
May 1.-THE Senate continued the
consideration Of the tariff bill, passing
upon number Of important amend
ments. Those lowering the duty on
china and earthenware were defeated.
Senator Root gave notice that he in
tended to fight for lower rates in some
Of the schedules.
Senator Depew introduced bill
amending the Foraker law for Porto
Rico. The bill was prepared in re-
sponse to President Taft's special mes
sage urging change in the law.
House.
The House was not in session.
Senate.
May 12.-Mr. Paynter addressed the
Senate in behalf of the tobacco indus
try and suggesting methods Of relief
from taxation.
Mr.. Crawford, Of North Dakota, made
his maiden effort. attacking the policy
Of placing products that constitute nat
ural resources on the dutiable list.
The window-glass paragraphs were
passed over, Chairman Aldrich an
nouncing that they would be reclassi-
fled and amendments reported.
The metal schedule has been reached
and number of set speeches probably
will be delivered with this schedule as
their text
The House was not in session.
Senate.
May 13.-By vote of e1 to "a the
Senate transferred iron ore from the
free list Of the House bill, and placed
1t upon the dutiable list at 25 cents a
ton. Seventeen Democrats voted for
this duty and IA Republicans against It.
A suggestion from Mr.. Bailey that
the Republicans agree to vote on the
tariff bill and amendments June 1 was
objected to by Mr.. Beveridge, speaking
for the "progressives," who said no
agreement could be reached until the
schedules had been fully discussed
Mr.. Aldrich will to-day reply to Mr.
Bailey's suggestion that time be fixed
for voting on his income tax amend
ment.
The House took up the Philippine
| tariff bill. The measure met no serious
objection. and probably will be passed
| next Monday.
An attempt was made to get before
the House a bill amending the Porto
Rican law in accordance with the rec
ommendation of President Taft, but
Minority Leader Clark objected, as the
bill had not been passed upon by a
committee. His objection was sustained.
Speaker Cannon's policy of not ap-
pointing standing committees at this
session was sustained by a substantial
majority when Mr.. CARROTS motion to