The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1909.
CBy the Universal News Analysis.)
Congressional.

AS the great free-for-all tariff scramble
progresses in Congress. the country is
reminded forcIbly OF that famous dictum
OF Gen Hancock, that the tariff IS
local issue. The Payne bill has run
frightfuI gantlet of debate during the
week past. as the spokesmen Of differ
ent sections and their special industries
have vocalized their plants, while the
daily and weekly press Of the nation
has fairly bristled with the attack upon
or the defense Of a measure the full
portent OF which is as yet understood by
but few persons. Already Washington
hears that the Republican leaders IN
Congress have made important conces-
sions TO a number of large industries in
which the bill proposes revision down
ward or into the free list.
IN expectation that the House Repub-
lican leaders would bring in a rule on
Thursday TO fix a time for the final vote
on the Payne BILL notices having been
sent to all Republican members to be in
their seats on that day. the debate on
the tariff measure was resumed on Mon
day with increased tension on both sides.
and with every evidence of disorganiza-
tion among the majority The RepubD-
can leaders were summoned TO a conf
Dental conference with the President
Tuesday, and the Executive impressed the
legislators with the Importance Of prompt
ness in getting the bill over to the Senate
At this juncture the uncertainty was
accentuated by the outbreak OF Elkns
in the Senate. On Monday the West VIr-
ginia Senator had taken the floor to make
q bitter attack on the New England
Senator'S, and 70 protest against their
disposition to cruelty the South He
said they were for free trade In ali prod
ucts OF the South which were raw ma
terial for New England. and quite willing
that the South should pay protection
prices on all the products OF New Eng
land manufactures. Incidentally he
showed his disappointment at nor having
received place on the Finance Commit
tee as representing an industrial State of
TIE South. AIdrich and Hale were al
ready on that powerful committee but
they were not enough. and so Lodge had
been added. Then several Democrats had
their say and proposed that the majority
invite the minority members OF the COM
mittee TO take part in the discussion OF
the tariff bill
This bolt OF Senator Elkins in the role
OF a tarif insurgent, in which course ne
had the aid and active sympathy Of his
colleague, Senator Scott. had an immedi-
ate effect in the organization Of power
ful group Of Representatives to demand
duties on lumber and coal possibly also
on hides, cn penalty Of defeating the
whole Payne bill A conference Of the
members so interested was held on Tues
day. and the sentiment was for duty Of
at least 81 a thousand on lumber. A
call on the Speaker by President hill. of
the Great Northern. was also in the in
terest OF the lumber and agricultural IN
terests.
Under pressure from these and other
dissatisfied groups, the plan 10 force
closing date for the debate was left in
allegiance for the present. President Taft
let his visitors know that while he was
not making the tariff bill, he was IN
favor Of making the duties as low as pos
sible on the necessities. and that he par
tlcularly opposes the duty on tea, and
would cut out the cOunterYailing duty on
coffee
In the meantime the general debate
was continued in the House. each speak
er discussing some feature OF the bill
that concerned his section. Cushman,
OF Washington. spoke for duty on coal
and lumber. James. Of Kentucky. wanted
tc know II It was TO be left TO Carnegie.
pricked by mis- conscience, 20 say what
was a reasonable profit" Nye, Of
Minnesota. a Republican regular. came
out strongly against the bill, because.
he said. It was revision upward. Long
worth. on the other hand. speaking as a
member of the Ways and Means Com
a. =
ering Of duties. in fulhllment OF the party
pledges. Speaker Cannon himself took
the floor Tuesday 10 tell the House how
the countervailing duty proposed on
crude and refined oil and oil products
was intended as protection for the inde-
pendent producer. and that Il would hurt
the Standard OF Company which buys
s. per cent OF It's supply Others pointed
out that the drawback provisions OF the
bill, together with the privilege Of buying
raw material in a free market, without
protection from the Mexican industry
would make the countervailing duty a
matter OF complete indifference 10 the
great oil trust This free raw material
for the oil industry was regarded by
many as one Of the numerous '1okers'
IN the bill As had been expected. sew
eral Southern Democrats Joined in the
outcry against the reduction OF the tariff
On lumber and coal
The Senate Finance Committee has
been receiving great number OF letters
from women in all parts Of the country.
most Of which carry protests against the
proposed tariff schedules affecting stock
ings, gloves, and other articles OF apparel
for women and children.
Representative Martin. Of South Da-
kota, has introduced two bills TO meet
the views Of the President on the control
OF corporations. One refers to interstate
CorrO-a ffr,v,u or