The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-18
VOTE WITH DEMOCRATS,
Bristow and La Toilette Line Up With
the Minority.

Washington, May Ex-senator Cores
resolution directing the committee on
finance to conduct an investigation into
wholesale and retail prices of commo-
dities was discussed before the senate
today at some length. Seeking to have
the resolution adopted, Mr.. Gore said
he wished to have statements concern
ing the extortiOnate prices of retail
dealers fully probed so that the coun-
try might know just where the respon-
sibility for high prices rest.
Senator Aldrich said it was evident
such an investigation that contem-
plated by the resolution could not be
conducted before the pending tariff bill
was disposed of, but he had no OBJ
lection to such an investigation being
that in doing this work, the finance
committee would necessarily cover the
same ground which the proposed tariff
commission would cover.
That cotton manufacturers sell their
nroducts with an agreement as to the
nrice at which they are to be sold at
retail was the substance of a charge
made by Mr.. Owen.
Demanding proof of this assertion,
Mr. Gallinger said that what the coun-
try is demanding is prompt. action on
the tariff bill. He added that it had
been asserted that the business inter
ests of this country were losing $10.-
oOo, 900 a day by the holding up of the
tariff bill.
rublican party to make the tariff rates
equal to the difference in cost of pro-
duction here and abroad, Mr.. Owen
said it was the duty of the majority to
inform the senate as to what the diff
| ference was.
| Mr.. Aldrich replied that the commit
tee had done much to furnish such
facts. but the Oklahoma senator con-
tended that there was no available in
formation of the kind he wanted. Mr..
lCarter made an impaSsioned appeal for
! a businesslike proceeding
Every morning" he said, 'some SEN
ator arises in his place here to defend
the country merchant from a charge
that has never been made"
| No charge of extortion, he said, had
ever been lodged against the retailer.
! Suggesting a select committee to OBJ
tain information desired by the sena-
tor from Oklahoma, Mr.. Bailey said he
| did not wish to make any charge
against the Republican members of the
lcommittee on finance as the commit
ltee adopted a rule that the Democratic
members might employ all the experts
they wanted.
'"They." said Mr.. Bailey, "are bad
lenough at best, and 1 am not willing
to charge them with being worse thar
they are"
| At times provoking much merriment
ty his ready retort and denouncing the
protective tariff policy, Mr.. Gore spoke
lat length until under the rules of the
senate, the unfinished business of the
senate was to be taken up. Before
/ the tariff bill was taken up in re-
sponse to an appeal from Mr.. Bailey
the senate agreed to vote on Mr.. Gore.
resolution amended as suggested BY
Mr.. Bailey so as to require the ap
pointment of a select committee Of
four Republican and three Democrai
Asenators to conduct the investigation
| asked for and by vote of so to 29, i
was referred to the finance committee
lSenators Bristow. Crawford and La.
lFollette voting no with the Democrats
When the tariff bill was taken up Mr.
Stone spoke at length in favor of hi:
| amendments to reduce the duties pre-
rates of the present Dingley law.