The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-05-06
Washington, d. c.
Nov . 1000

May 3, 1909.
Everybody seems to think that the
Aldrich tariff act will become a law
by the early part of June in about
the form that Aldrich wishes. No
more crafty or adroit parliamentary
leader ever participated in American
legislation than Aldrich. He appears
at this time TO have snatched victory
from defeat in regard to the tariff
bill, and high tariff will be retain
ed unless President Taft vetoes the
measure.
The thing which makes it possible
for Aldrich to control the situation
is that the Democratic Senators Of
the South want the southern pro-
ducts protected, and the Democratic
Senators of the West want their pro-
ducts protected. This ensures a high
protective rate on both wool and
lumber.
The Senate has witnessed the unf-
que sight this week of a North Car
DINA Democrat of the good old South
ern school, Senator Simmons, plead
ing for high protective tariff on lum-
Der, while a North Dakota Republi-
can who has been one of the main
stays Of the Republican organization
for years, Senator McCumber was
begging for free trade for lumber
Aldrich did not hesitate in the face
of this situation. He made friends
with the Democrats who favor pro-
lection and let the Republicans who
will not stand up for the stretching
of the old. principle go flock by them
selves. The Senators are a conser-
? vative set Of men. They feel that
the Dingley Bill has given the coun-
try more prosperity than it ever had
before, and they do not propose to
go back on what they consider a
proven success.
CONCESSIONS TO TAFT.
It is said that Aldrich will make
just enough concessions to President
Taft's views in favor of reduction
of the rates so that Taft will not
feel justified in splitting his party
up over a measure which will come
so near to being downward revision.
AT any rate If anyone can get the
bill through in its present form, AL
drich can do it. And there is no
doubt that he is trying his best to
do so.
Speaker Cannon announced this
week that he is in favor of a tariff
commission to aid Congress. AS a
matter of fact the proposal for such
commission has found so many
friends that no one expected Can
non to oppose it; and his declaration
is taken merely to indicate the terms
on which he will give a bill to pro-
vide for the commission his support.
Another interesting proposition
which is being seriously considered is
the formation of a so-called Custom
Court" to be composed of five men
drawing ten thousand dollar salaries
who shall decide all questions arising
, under the collection of duties on i'm
c ports. At least such a court would
furnish good resting places for some
: of the 'lame ducks" who fail of re-
election TO Congress.
The Government this week set the
q. Geological Survey to find out how
N many sites for the development of
water power are on land which the
:, United States has control Of The big
: electric companies of the country hav'
. bought options, it is said upon many
of the best power sites in all parts
y of America. The Government feels
, that the fall of water belongs to the
> people, and will take steps toward
preserving this potential light and
heat from the grasp of bloated mono
q poles.
SPIES IN PANAMA.
It is rumored that the Panama Can
al Zone is over-run with japanese
Il spies. who are making drawings of
the canal and the proposed tortifica-
lions which are to defend it, so that
IN case VI wal NhN9 NAiA ~
attack the Canal and stop it up, be-
fore our battle fleet could get thru
IL into the Pacific ocean. So serious
are these stories about Japanese secret
service men on the Isthmus that
r Secretary of War Dickinson Is said
I to have made his present visit to the
: Canal among other things to investi-
Is gate their truth.
p Census Maker S n. d. North will
S retain his position. He has figura-
e lively promised to be good, and VIII
b be allowed to draw his salary until
Il further notice. Presumably he VIII
e pay more heed to the wishes Of his
superiors hereafter
Apropos of the Census, it has come
out during the course OF this week
. that thera may be no Census Bill