The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-22
PAYNE EXPLAINS NEW TARIFF BILL
General Debate in House of Representatives Opens
 Today.
Chairman of Committee Points Out Need of Reve- nue and the Principle of the Maximum and Mini mum Tariff.
Special from United Press.)

Especial from United Press)
 Washington, March 22.-With a full attendance of members, and crowded galleries, the great debate on the tariff of 1909 was begun in the House to- day. Representative Payne of New York, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, led off for the Re- publicans. On a motion by Payne the House decided to meet hereafter at Il every morning which is an hour ear Her than usual. Payne then made a motion that the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole for the consideration of the tariff bill. Speak CT Cannon designated RepreSenta tive Olmstead, Republican) as the presid- ing officer of the committee. Olm- stead recognized Payne and as the lat ter arose to make his speech he was greeted with vigorous applause from his Republican colleagues.
 Before the Hot SC met to-day Champ Clark, leader of the Democratic side, ar nounced that Ee had been willing to foreoo general debate on the tariff bill and to devote all the time to consid- eration of the bill by sections. The Re- pub-icans however, had insisted that there be a period of general debate.
 "I do not think it worth while,'' said Payne, opening the debate, ito enter into academic discussion of the tariff question. The people by a great ma jroity, favor protection to American industries. Some who secretly favor protection, say they favor a tariff for revenue. We have advanced some do not believe there is any man with in the sound of my voice who now would say that we should tear down every custom house from turret to fuondation stone.'''
 When the Mckinley bill was pass ed, Payne continued, there was too much revenue. Congress therefore took the duty off sugar and placed boun- ty of two cents a pound on sugar pro- duced Tn this country. In 1894 the Wilson bil! was passed. It was like a kaleidoscope protection in spots, free trade in spots and no schedule at all balanced. Revenue was badly needed and so forty per cent. duty, was plac- ed on Sugar and the bounty was re- pealed.
 The time has now come. declared Payne. when the country needs a pro- tective measure and revenue pro- ducer He .then produced records showing that the entire revenue re- ceivcd by the government under the operation of the Dingley Bill b-tween July l. 1897 and March 16. 1909. was $6. 558, POI 900. Payne declared that the large postal deficit had resulted from an increase in the rural free delivery service.
 'It is true that the Dingley Bir has not produced surplus every year oe did not anticipate the expenses of the Spanish war when the Dingley Bill was passed. The Spanish war brough. increased responsibilities and with them increased burdens It brought increased expenses fer the navy which seems to be about the most pnpu ar thing among the people of the United States: increased expenditures for the army and increased tax lists."
 Payne then discussed the reciprocity clause of the Wilson and Dinghy B Ills and declared that modern conditions demanded a minimum and maximu n tariff. Under trade agreements, he said. this country haS been abe to ob- tain good rates from other nations for it's product but now the balance of trade was against the United States.
 'When the Dingley Bill was enact ed," he stated. "other nations adopted the maximum and minimum tariffs. Then came the tug of war. We saw our rivals among nations getting the trade of the world. This has gone on until it has become almost intolera b!e. Already some of the nations have v- en us the worst of it-given us the minimum"
 He said he desired to change this but could not do it without re-oD"ning the whole tariff question. He dec' 'ared that business suffered to such an extent while tariff bill is being discussed in Congress that he had been unwil'i lg to undertake any revision until this time