New-York tribune., 1909-03-22
THE TARIFF TO DATE
GENERAL DEBATE TO-DAY
Political Alignment on the Payne
Measure Not Likely.

President Taft The Payne bill was introduced III
the House Tuesday. On the following day IL
was favorabIy reported by the Ways and Means
Committee and Friday 1t was read In fun. Inc
Democratic members of the Ways and Means Com
mittee still foundering about, trying TO deter
mine what the minority shall follow. 1heS
have until Tuesday o submit their report Gen
eraI debate the bill will be opened tomorrow oy
Chairman Payne who will define the Republican
position and explain at length the principal features
Of the proposed customs act In the senate lhe
groundwork for consideration of the Payne bill has
been laid by Senator Aldrch. Informal meetings OF
the Republican members OF the Committee on
Finance held last week. and fun meeting
of the majority side of the committee VIII De heio
tomorrow to begin detailed consideration OF the
schedules.
Official Washington has not made up its MIND
about the Payne bill Five days have passed slnce
the new schedules were made known 10 tne puDii1'
and Congress is still awaiting the ultimate decision
of the ultimate consumer" Generally the ln'ual
comment of the press and public has been iaVoi-
able. and the average member of Congress Is IN
cned to look with approval upon the work OF MI
Payne's committee. Most OF the ultra reVlslonls's
the Republican side are frank to admit thal 'ie
Ways and Means Committee apparently has oroushe
bill which provides for honest and genuine
revision Of the Dngley rates. while most OF lhe
Democrats with equal frankness, are saying theS
didn't expect anything half so good from men
whom they have been accustomed to call the high
priests of stand -pattism."
SOME SEE NO GOOD IN BILL
accurate analysis be made OF what Congress
really thinks about the general principles OF the
Payne bill Up TO this time Senators and Repre-
sentstives of both political parties have not exam
and dissected the bill the broad lines OF a
fiscal policy for the nation. They have been
looking over and ponderiug on those schedules
which or vital interest to their districts ana
states Those members Of Congress who want the
old rates continued hides, lumber and coal can
see little good in the bill. The compensatory re-
ior an ofh her do aDDeal
Their first impression Of the Payne bill is that II Is
a measure designed to hit them. and that It's en-
actment into law would be serious menace TO the
general welfare. Among some Of the Southern and
Western there seems to be disposition TO
attack the bill on the ground that II is designed 10
promote the commercial interests Of New England
This may be due TO the fact that, on the WHOLE
the New England Senators and Representatives are
better satisfied with the schedules than the
men from any other geographical subdivision. Some
Or them finding fault with the new duties on
lumber, printing paper and various manufactured
products of their part of the country but their
protests not vehement As those made by
their colleagues from other sections.
1t seems almost certain that no clear political
alignment the tariff question is possible In
either branch Of Congress. When Representative
Broussard, Of Louisiana. voted with tho Republican
members Of the Ways and Means Committee 10
report the bill for passage some Of his Democratic
colleagues did not spare their criticism And Yet
these same critics will he found voting for the
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LACK OF INTEREST N kENENCE r
one of the most striking features OF tariT com
mcut since the introduction Of the Payne bill has
been the lack interest the part or Democratic
Senators and Representatives in the revenue phase
Of the question. \ prominent tanner who was here
last week had interviews with half a dozen South
ern men in the interest Of free trade in hides.
Under the DingIey act the 70 per cent duty
hides Yields an annual revenue OF about s.. 500
nl0 and yet not one or the Representatives with
"i2H 'Is ' - - -. T., =
Ito, D., MS the argument Of these southern men
-r,,- ,.,,t o7 IN ex,.rafn that while thc, did not