The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-03-24
FIGHT ON TARIFF
BILL IS STARTED :
BY CHAMP CLARK
Democratic Leader in the House
Makes a General Attack
Upon Measure.
WOULD IMPOSE DUTIES
FOR REVENUE ONLY
Declares Interest of People Was
Not Consulted in Shutting
Out Minority.

WASHINGTON, March 24.--Tfe new
tariff bill was discussed today from the
Democratic viewpoint by Champ Clark.
of Missouri, the minority leader. Efe
did not occupy nearly so much time as
did Mr.. Payne Following his usual
custom. Mr.. Clark delivered his speech
from the well In front of the speaker $
desk, and there was a very full attend :
ance to hear him. The Senate was not
in session today.
An effort Is to be made In the House
to secure record votes on the schedules
of the bill which affect hides, bi :
luminous coal and lumber. The Re-
publican members, who are opposed to
the changes which the Payne bill makes
in these schedules, have had several
meetings. They believe that the plac-
ing of hides on the free list the re-
duction of so per cent. in the duties on
lumber and the reciprocity provision
for free bituminous coal are not desired
by majority of the members.
There are probably as many members
who want a vote on the proposition to
place lumber on the free list as there
are members who desire to test the feel
ing regarding the retention of the pres
ent duty The latter sentiment Is par
ticularly strong on the Democratic side.
Mr. CIaxk's Speech.
Declaring that the present was no
time for an academic discussion of the
tariff, MIR. Clark said that he had gone
TO Chairman Payne and suggested that
insofar as he was concerned he gladly
would have waived all general debate
on the bill il assurance could be given
that there would be ample time for
amendment and debate under the five
minute rule, OF the entire measure, Sec
tion by section. 1t was his Judgment
that the bill could be amended in many
respects. fa x
Touching the failure OF the oonsun-
ers to appear before the COMMITTEES,
Mr.. Clark said that there were two
reasons for this, one that in the begin
ming the public looked upon the hear
ings as a. stupendous confidence game,
and, second, that the consumers felt
the possibility of having their tariff
burden substantially reduced was so
remote that those who could afford 1t
did not think il worth travelling ex-
penses, hotel bills neglect OF business
and loss of time.
$50 that" he said. "the ultimate con-
sumer really speaks in these hearings
only through questions propounded by
members of the committee in an hon
est endeavor to ascertain the truth"
Shut Ont Competition.
Most OF the cross-firing among wit
nesses. he said, was where one set OF
manufacturers fell afoul of another be :
cause the tariff pie was not evenly
distributed and each one wanted the
biggest piece" To Mr.. Fordney, OF
Michigan, Mr.. Clark extended his pro
foundest consideration as a fighter. He
would put galpe-cock to blush in
that regard II, he said, Mr.. Fordnes
We're given carte blanche to write
tariff bill st would be short, If not
sweet, and would be in these words. If
az article can be produced in this coun-
try by any process or at any cost what
soever, nothing like It shall be i'm.
ported"
AL through the hearings, he said. Mr..
Fordney was on hand with first aids
for the wounded. He said that the
rest of the Republicans, first or last.
came over to our side" on different
subjects and in various degrees, but
that Mr.. Fordney never lowered his
colors.
Discussing the situation in which the
ways and means committee found it.
self, he said it was unprecedented aabe-
cause both parties had favored reduc-
ing the tariff rates Of the Dingley bill.
OF course" he added, s'the Republi-
can platform was equivocaL," but he
added in that connection most of the
Republican members of the committee
came at last to construe 1t as a re-
vision downward. The Democrats SO
construed 1t and he said the better
part of wisdom and patriotism would
have been for all the members to have
collaborated In the work of preparing
the bill after the hearings closed.
All Patriotic Americans.
I'VE are all American citizens equal:
ly interested in the prosperity, glory
and happiness of mighty people, he
exclaimed. Not one OF US had the
slightest desire to injure in any way
or to any extent whatsoever any legit-
innate American"
In addition to the peculiar coinci-
dence of both parties being under or
ders to revise the tariff downward, he
said, all we're stared in the face by a
large and increasing deficiency In the
revenues. There were, he said, but
three ways known among men by
which deficiency may be cured-cut
down expenses. increase taxes and is
sue bonds. To issue bonds, he de-
clared. was no remedy at all It was
simply postponing the evil day when
they must be paid, principal and in
terest. Taxes, he contended, never
should be increased where possible to
avoid 1t.
Cutting down appropriations, he said.
where 1t could be done without stint
ing the government in any of Its proper
functions. was the most efficient rem
edy for q deficiency, but" he added,
"our Republican brethren seem utterly
incapable of cutting down appropria-
tions. We favor that. remedy on the
old Jeffersonian principle of economy
(Contiuue6 on second Page.)