The Washington herald., 1909-04-20

Senator Nelson ". Aldrich. OF Rhcds
Island, chairman OF the Committee on
Finance. opened the tariff debate n the
Senatf yesterday. In a plain. matser-of-
fact way, with no effort az oratory or
dramatic delivery. ne made a speech ex-
planning the revenue producing features OF
the tariff rlsasure reported TO the Senate
from his committee, and maintained that
the Senate amendments would not reduce
the ability Of the government to collect
enough revenue 20 meet the increased sx-
penGitures.
In fact. he staked his professional rep
utation on the prediction that the amend
ed bin would give the government al the
money it would need.
Mr.. AIdrich showed that the daily.
monthly, and yearly increase OF expendi-
lures over the receipts Of the government,
which have been going or for a long
tine, and threatened. II continued, 70
wipe out the Treasury surplus, had come
70 an end. and the government was non
taking IN more money than it was put
ting out
Thinks Prosperity Returning
This change about in conditions in the
Treasury, which began recently. was at
tributed by Mr.. Aldrich to a resumption
Of normal business conditions
We can feel the change IN the air
he declared. He called attention to the
fact that for the thirty-nine business
days from March l to April Is there had
been an average daily increase OF more
than $3.50 Co. as compared with TIE thirty
nine business days for the same period
last year He pointed out also that TIE
Treasury statement Of April IS showed
receipts from all sources were s. .072. 97I.
as compared with receipts OF s.. IS. 81 on
the corresponding day of last year. thus
indicating that the increase was progress
sive.
Those who 90 not believe IN this con
tinued march OF improvement" said Mr.
Aldrlch. have little knowledge OF the
recuperatIve powers Of the American peo-
pie. and fail 10 measure correctly the
force Of the spirit of confidence which
viii accompany q guarantee Of security
and Industrial peace"
Fhe-e was a little debate between Sena-
tor Aldrich and some Of the Democratic
Senator's. and after Mr.. Aldrich had fin
ished. Senator Daniel replied for the
Democrats He charged That Senator
Aldrich and the other Republican mem
beTs Of the Committee on Finance had
been guilty Of unfair treatment Of their
Democratic colleagues by refusing 20 LEI
them participate in the preparation Of
the tariff measure reported 70 the Senate
Gets Back at Daniel.
Mr.. Aidrich came back al A1r DAME
By producing an extract from the Con
gressional Record Of 1sss. which shove,
that the Democrats. then IN contrcl O.
the Senate. had refused 20 permit Re
publican Senators 70 participate in tn
preparation OF the pending tarin measure
and when the Republicans compIaine,
had virtually told them that & was non,
Of their business.
Senator Aldrich had q fine audience
composed not only Of nearly every mem
Der Of the Senate. but OF a big coz
ungent Of Representative. who occupie,
places on the floor. and as mani. peouI
as the galleries would hold Several hun
/ dred delegates to the national convention
Z
luton occupied gallery seats.
Mr. Aldrich read most OF his speech
which was full OF figures He outline,
the new policy OF the Republican leader
OF the Senate 20 keep down appropTia
tons, and explained that this polio,
would assist materially In helping III
government 20 meet its expenses II
made known also that the adminisrra
a. -
are 20 be presented this week would pro
vide means Of preventing losses 70 N
government through Uadervalustions o
! imports This. he said. had caused tn
government TO be deprived OF much rsve
nue.. and he estimated that the los
amounted 20 S5,0l9.00o a year
Opposes Income Tax
He spoke in opposition 70 the imPosi
ton Of an income tax, and declared ths
the pending bin would produce enough
revenue without resorting 10 such speCis
forms OF taxation.
NO further additional taxes are need
ed" he said. The imposition Of othe
taxes under these conditions would no
only be unwise, but unjust and prejudicia
to the interest OF the great people W.
represent"
There VIII be meeting Of the Fina1c,
Committee to-day to consider the terms
Of an amendment providing the admins
tra1ive features Of the tsTin bill. In in
viting the Democratic members Of II,
committee 70 attend the meeting, Chair
man Aldrich proceeded on the theory tia
there was nothing political in this par
OF the tariff measure The amendment
as drawn under Mr.. Aldrichs direction
provides among other things for the Crea
ton Of a customs court OF appeals, which
VIII have equal rank with present Fed
eral circuit courts OF appeals. There Il
no intention Of displacirg the Board o.
General Appraisers al New York, which
now passes on customs appeals cases
and the new court VIII review case.
brought to II on appeal from the board
VIII Propose Tariff Bureau.
A little later an amendment viii b,
presented to the Senate by the Financ,
Committee creating the proposed Tariff
Bureau This amendment viii provid.
for an additional Assistant Secre
tary OF the Treasury. who VIII havt
charge OF the bureau. which VIII IN
clude the present Bureau Of Statistic!
and Bureau OF Manufactures Of the De
partment OF Commerce and Labor an,
the customs divisions OF the TreasurJ
Department, AID perhaps the Bureau @
Trade Relations Of the State Departmen.
This step is iateRded TO be preliminar-
70 the ultimate transfer OF the consulal
service from the jurisdiction OF the Stat
Department 70 that Of the Treasury De
partment, but there Is no intention [,
endeavor TO effect the change soon
Senate leaders do not expect a pro
tracted discussion OF the tariff measure
Few OF the Republicans viii make lon;
speeches, and the present indications ar,
that there viii BE- no dilatory tactics pur
sued By the Democrats.
Senator Cummins. OF Iowa, one of tn
Republican radicals. VIII present an n
come-tax amendment this week. and I
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