The Washington times., 1909-05-15
CORES RESOLUTION
STIRS UP SENATE
Opposition Develops to In
veStigation of Prices Re
l. tailers Charge.

The Senate session had barely begun
this morning when a row was stirred
I'D over the question whether the re-
taller IS 20 blame for the present high
prices on many commodities or whether
be isn't
In the discussion Of the tariff bill re-
Gently. some OF the supporters OF the
high duties imposed by the Finance
Committee bill have sought TO throw
the blame for high prices on the retail
ers. This has caused much comment.
and has evoked criticism from the
friends OF the retailers in the Senate.
and has aroused the retailers them
selves.
Gore Champions Retailers.
Senator Gore championed the retailers
on the floor the other day, and today in
troduced resolution reciting that, as
II had been repeatedly charged shat
prices in the United States were uu-
reasonable and exorbitant, and that
some believed this was due to the manu-
1acturers and parties other than the
retailers. the Finance Committee be di-
rected 20 investigate and report on the
import prices of various articles the
wholesale prices, the retail prices, and
the prices OF the manufacturers, the
wholesale dealers and the retail dealers.
Ihis resolution at once stirred up de-
bate Senator Hale, who the other dav
laid the burden OF high prices on the
retail dealers, was at once on his feet
10 move that tho resolution be referred
TO the Finance Committee His purpose
was TO bury the resolution. He denied
that the resolution gave the committee
any power it did not have now. and
rffA
by the Investigation.
Insists On Investigation.
Senator Gore said he was aware the
committee had the power to investigate
but a power unused was equal to no
power. He declared some Senators had
impeached the retailers and it was but
fair that the facts be investigated. "If
the retail dealers are the robbers al
legged" ne said. ''then they ought to be
sought out and held up to wrath and
execration."
He declared, as to some statements
that had been made on the floor about
retail prices Of glass and china, reput-
able merchants in Washington had
told him the statements were preposter-
Gus. lie objected 10 having the reso-
IS luton referred. and said II 1t was so
Ieferred It would be buried and moth
Ing more would be heard of it.
Clapp Supports Gore.
Senator Clapp took the floor IN de-
Tense Of the retailer. said statements
unjust to the retailer had been made,
and urged passage Of the resolution
Senator Flint. Of the Finance Com
ruittee, asserted that the retailer, in
many cases, was making exorbitant
profits, and that the exorbitant prices
that resulted were not caused by the
tariff.
The resolution finally went over on
request OF Senator Aldrich.
Johnston Attacks Bill.
Senator Johnston Of Alabama turned
loose on the tariff bill when the debate
opened and attacked it in sarcastic fash
3 ion.
He said that. having waded through
the bill. he finally struck the free list
and found the thirteenth item was
''apatite." A little later he discovered
that teeth were let in free and con-
cluded that these were the cruelest
things in the whole bill. inasmuch as
a duty was put on hams. bacon. and
every other necessary Of life. But on
further investigation he found the word
apaftte" was not the craving for some
Greek word meaning deceit
"Apatite" a Good Word.
This IS a good word to put In this
hili." said Mr.. Johnston II was great
~ relieved I knew row the people
must crave for this deceitful gem and
how little use they had for a good
old-fashioned English appetite They
VIII not have the least use for either
natural or artificial teeth II this ex-
orbitant protective tariff continues to
increase and the trusts TO multiply"
he proceeded to show that the bin put
n higher rate OF duty on the cheaper
goods worn ~ the people generally.
than on the more expensive. instancing
worsted cloth worth 40 cents, dutiabIe
at 125 per cent, ar3 those worth over
20 cents at 81 pf cent; so in carpets
ana blankets 4 champagne with n
dGty OF 65 per cent, and wearing ap-
parel IS per cent
Senator Burton OF ohio today intro
duced an amendment to the metallic