Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-05-19
VOTE ON TARIFF
RATE ON RAZ0RS
Amendment by Mr.. Stone to Restore
the Dingley Schedule
is Lost
CONSIDERABLE PRoGR 2 NDE
Several Sections Recently - er
Are Adopted.
Senator Cores Resolution fo sz
Committee is Referred -
CONSIDERABLE PRoGR.
SHARP DEBATE ON MEASURE
Gore Insists Responsibility for High
pTices BE Fixed by Congress, hut
Majority send Plan 20 FL
nance Committee.

nance Committee.
WASHINGTON. May 1s-After devotins
the greater part Of the days session to
debate the senate passed upon a number
OF important committee amendments to the
tariff bill. 1t also disposed of adversely
an amendment by Mr.. Stone restoring the
Dingiey rates on razors. On that vote
most of the progressive republicans voted
IN the affirmative with the democrats.
More than two hours were devoted 10 a
discussion OF a resolution by Senator Gore
TO investigate the cost of production az
home and abroad and the relative price of
commodities at wholesale and retail. Tie
resolution was referred to the committee
on finance by decisive vote.
Considerable progress was made in the
adoption OF several sections of the tariff
bill that had formerly been passed over.
There were several amendments decreas-
ing duties formerly reported by the COM
mttee, but some of the others advanced
duties. The senate at 5I2 o'clock ad-
Journed.
Rasor Amendment Lost.
When the tariff bill was taken up at
noon by the senate. Mr. Stone spoke at
duce the duties prescribed by the bill on
razors to the rates of the present Dingley
law.
Mr.. Stone endeavored to show that the
statement made by Mr.. Smoot yesterday
regarding the razor industries was incor-
rect and Mr.. SmOot corrected his statement
In some particulars. Mr. Stone declared
there was only one razor manufacturer in
this country when the lower rates of the
Dlngled law became effective and that
there are five at the present time. Mr.
Stone read several tlegrams exchanged be-
tween himslf and cutlery firm in st.
Louis, which purported to show that inn
ported razors costing 40 cents retail in
this country for ST. Mr. Smoot then Of
fered In evidence three razors, and in
voice showing that their cost was 40 cents
each TO the importer and that they were
marked to sell at IS each at retail
On an amendment offered by Mr. Bacon
reducing the rates on the section relating
to knives. rasors. scissors, ctc below the
rates Of the Dingley bill, nearly all the
republicans who had voted in favor of re-
ducing to the level of the Dingley rates
voted no, the amendment being rejected
by vote Of 2S to 81, Senators Clapp and
LaFollette alone Of the republicans voting
with the democrats.
on table and butcher knives, etc, the
Dingley law about 30 per cent and Mr.
Bacon sought by amendment to still fur
ther reduce them, which secured no sup
port from lows tariff republicans, being re-
jected by a vote Of % to IS,
Senator stones amendment to continue
the Dingley rates on razors was defeated,
S6 toi3.
No Probe for Retailers.
Senator CORES resolution directing the
-.
vestlgation into wholesale and retail prices
OF commodities was discussed before the
senate today at some length. Seeking 10
have the resolution adopted Mr.. Gore said
he wished to have statements concerning
the extortionate prices of retail dealers
fully probed. 50 that the country might
know just where the responsibility for high
prices rests
Senator Aidrich said It was evident such
an investigation as that contemplated by
the resolution could not he conducted be-
fore the pending tariff bill was disposed
or but he had no objection to such an
investigation being undertaken. Senator
Carter pointed out that In doing this work
the finance committee would necessarily
cover the same ground which the proposed
tariff commission would cover.
That the cotton manufacturers sell their
products with an agreement as to the
price at which they are to be sold at retail
was the substance OF a charge made by
Mr.. owen. Demanding proof Of this asser-
ton. MIR. Gallinger said that what the
country is demanding is prompt actor
on the tariff bill He added that it haC
been asserted that the business interests
OF this country were losing 100000 q
day by the holding up OF the tariff bill.
Referring TO the pledge OF the repub.
can party" to make the tariff rates equa
TO the difference in cost of production her,
and abroad Mr.. owen said II was the duty
OF the majority TO inform the senate as e
what that difference was,
Mr.. Aldrich replied that the committee
had done much to furnish such facts. bu
the Oklahoma senator eontended that ther,
was no available information of the kline
wanted.
NO Charge Against Merchant.
Mr. Carter made an Impassioned appea
for a business-like proceeding Ever!
morning" he said some Senator arises II
his place mere to defend the country mer
chant from charge that has never beei
made. No charge OF extortlon," he said
had ever been lodged against the retailer
Suggesting a select committee 10 Obtain
Information desired by the senator from
~ make any charge against the republican
members of the committee on finance a
the committee adopted a rule that the dem
ocratic members might employ all the ex
perts they wanted
They" said Mr. Bailey, ARE bad enougl
Il best and l am not willing TO chsrs
hem with being worse than they are"
At times provoking much merriment b,
is ready retort and denouncing the pro
sctive tariff policy. Mr.. Gore spoke a
ehgth. Finally. IN response TO an appea
from Mr.. Bailey the senate agreed to yot
on Mr.. uore's resolution. amended as sus
gested by Mr.. Bailey so as to require tn
appointment of q select committee OF fou
republican and three democratic senator
10 conduct the investigation asked for, an
by vote Of % TO . it was referred "a IN
committee on finance. Senators BristoN
Crawford ana La Toilette voting no Wit
the democratic