Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-06-07
PET SCHEME OF HIGH PRoTEc.
TIoN FOR COTTON GOODS
GETS SETBACK.
LAFoLLETTE PUTS ALDRicH
TO THE BAD ON FIGURES
Now Adrieh Must Prove Michigan
Man Is Mistaken or Be Deserted by
Faithful Followers = LaFollette's
Speech Opens Eyes of Even Mem-
bers of the Financial Committee.
Especial Correspondence

Aldrich can demonstrate beyond a pos
sibility of a doubt that the case made
by Senator LaFollette on the cotton
schedule is without foundation in fac.
he Will be in the unenviable position Of
being deserted not only by the regular
republican members who have not al
lied themselves with the progressives
but also by more than one member of
the finance committee
1t has just developed that the dis
play of startling increases in the duties
brought to light by LaFollette was as
much a revelation to certain members
OF the committee as it was to the sem
ate and these committee members who
undertook to support the schedule
publicly and in private conversations
with their colleagues feel that they
have been placed in an unfair light by
the chairman
! The cotton schedule has long been
the pet measure of the senator from
Rhode Island. II was so when the
/ Dingley bill was being framed and as
las been shown on several occasions
Aldrich diligently looked after the in
terests of the manufacturers, with the
assistance and advice of S. y. D. North,
the late director Of the census and at
that time secretary of the National
Wooden Manufacturers Association.
When the present bill was first taken
up by the finance committee Senator
Aldrich announced to the members of
the committee that he would give his
particular attention to the cotton
schedule. He declared that his intimate
knowledge of the subject would enable
him 10 deal with it TO the satisfaction
/ OF all concerned and at the same time
save the members a lot of trouble
There was no dissent TO this PROPOSE
ton from any quarter but it was the
distinct understanding of practically
every member of the committee that
While some of the defects which had
been found in the Dingley law would
De remedied by increased duties and
other slight changes made there would
be no substantial increase in the rates
and that the general average of the
Dingley law would prevail. This con-
clusion was arrived at not only because
the manufacturers lad not asked for
increases but also because 1t was
known that the cotton schedule would
be one of the most bitterly attacked
in the bill and the desire was to avoid
doing anything that would furnish am
muntion to the "progressives"
Aldrich. accordingly, went ahead
with the schedule and with the pos
sible exception of Senator Smoot, of
Utah, practically none of the members
of the committee had an intimate
knowledge OF the intricacies Of the
schedule. When it was finished the
statement was made that with the ex-
ception Of the paragraphs remedying
the defects in the Dingley law approx
imately the rates in the existing law
were maintained. Upon that informa-
ton the committee members made
their arguments in support of the
schedule. Senator Smoot was the only
committee member who attempted a
technical description and defense.
Senator Lodge defended the schedule
also but, judging from his remarks, on
the assumption that there were prac-
tioally no increases.
Now the LaFollette speech has OPP
ened their eyes. He has given scores
Of specific Instances where increases
have been made. Some of these in
creases are OF articles of which there
We're practically no importations. The
last named increases are regarded as
indetensible even by members of the
committee and they are frank to say
that Aldrich will have to give way.
They consider that they are Sin bad"
and that inasmuch as they are placed
in that position by the chairman it is
up 10 him TO get them out of the hole.
They admit that as matters now stand
it is an utter impossibility to pass the
schedule and rather than throw it wide
open to amendments from all quarters
and shove the average rate of duties
way below those in the Dingley law
they favor the Introduction of num-
erous committee amendments which
will meet goodly portion of the criti-
cisms now being hurled at the sched-
ule from all sides 1t is understood
that Massachusetts manufacturers are
fearful that the schedule will be torn
to pieces and it is believed that Sen
ator Lodge has made 1t clear to his
colleagues on the committee that he
is not desirious of going above the
Dingley rates. Senator Gallinger. Of
New Hampshire, in whose state there
are several large mills, openly de-
clares that he does not want increases.
Senator Aldrich is insistent that he
can make satisfactory explanation Of
the increased duties he wrote into the
bill.
> odor Of Amberarls.