New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-05-09
GIVE CRITICS HEARING
SENATE LEADERS CHANGE
THEIR TACTICS.
4Idrich and Lodge Defend Finance
Committees NethodS-VOte on
Lead Duty Delayed.


Washington May s.-There a marked
change Of TACTICS by the Republican leaders to-
day with reference 10 consideration Of the tariff
bill in the Senate No effort was made to force
action any of the disputed paragraphs relat-
ing to lead products, was any desire shown
to check the fullest criticism of the bill by In
surgent" Republicans. Instead, the leaders de-
voted the greater portion of the day TO replying
to critics of the Finance Committee defending
the methods by which the tariff bill was framed
and appealing to the country to await the I'm
ished product before judging the work of those
on whom responsibility for tariff revision rests
For several DAYS Senators Beveridge, Bristow.
Cummins. Deliver. Burkett and others who
have been ''off the reservation on the tariff
question have been complaining that the leaders
were trying TO put through legislation concern
ing which there was q great lack Of informa-
ton. They have been asking, How do you
know this?" Where did you learn the cost Of
production Why can't be told why this
rate is recommended? - and similar questions.
This kind Of cross-examination has delayed
progress on the bill and annoyed and embar-
raised the leaders. They realized that it was
calculated to add fuel to the fame of popular
criticism. and they felt that something must be
done to satisfy the country that Congress was
not cropping in the dark in making the
schedules.
Mr.. ALDRICH REPLIES TO CRITICS.
The leaders decided 70 make demonstration
after Senator Burkett had criticised the Finance
Committee for not holding hearings OF the tariff
bill and had declared that Senators who were
not members Of the committee were in darkness
as TO the facts. Senator Aldrich made sharp
reply 10 the Nebraska Senator. and took occa-
sion TO answer those who have been criticising
the bill because they believe it does not provide
relief for the consumer. Mr. Aldrich said the
Republican members of the Finance Committee
had worked from sixteen TO eighteen hours a
day in framing the bill If the Senate should
remain in session until every member had full
Information on every paragraph it would take
ten years to revise the tariff. Then the Rhode
Island Senator devoted his attention to those
Middle Western Senators who have complained
that the consumers were not represented before
the Finance Committee He declared that those
who are consumers and not producers are very
limited in number. II have seen productions of
Nebraska and other agricultural states mount
year b% year until the increasing cost of living
in this country is due almost entirely TO the in
crease in the price OF agricultural products
Mr. Aldrich followed by Senator Carter.
who poured oil the troubled waters and en-
tertained the Senate for more than an hour.
Mr.. Carriers desk was piled high with publica-
tions relating TO the tariff question. His pur-
pose was to show that Congress has collected
SO much Information on the tariff question that
no Senator can complain that he is without facts
10 enable him TO vote intelligently. As Mr..
Carter proceeded to read the titles of the vari-
Gus tariff publications which have been COM
piled TO assist Congress in its work broad
smile went round the chamber. He gave tha
number of pages in many Of the documents, and
in reply TO a question said that if any Senator
lii l,-5
he would go a strike.
I'm glad the Senator is showing the Senate
and the country that there is 10 lack Of infor-
nation on the tariff question" said Senator
Hale. adding that he thought there was too
much information
Yes it has been bewildering" replied the
Montana Senator.