Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-31
CONGRESS LIKE
GREAT VACUUM
SILENCE AND SOLITUDE CON-
FRONT SPEAKER
TARIFF DEBATE DRIVES AWAY
EVEN REPUBLICANS
Uncle Joe Cannon Dodges Duties and
Perkins Pounds Gavei-Law-
makers Finally Have
Lively Discussion
tBy Associated Press

WASHINGTON, March 30.-The lag
ging interest in the tariff discussion
was made manifest today when but
dozen member were in their seats on
the converting of the house, and for
the most part, these were the ones
scheduled to speak.
There was such an emptiness that
when the speaker pro tenn, Mr.. Per-
kins, called the body to order, the
sound of his gavel echoed and re-
echoed throughout the chamber.
Today's debate was opened by Mi.
Cox of Ohio, who pleaded for a reduc-
ton in the duties on sewing machines,
bicycles and computing machines.
He argued that by reason of the IA
vored nation clause, Germany was en-
abled to manufacture and ship sewing
machines and bicycles into Russia,
France and other continental countries
at about half the tariff imposed upon
the same articles of American manu-
facture. Because OF this fact, the
American manufacturer was handi-
capped in extending his foreign trade.
Unless the tariff was reduced, he
said, the manufacturers of the pro-
ducts mentioned would be forced to
build factories abroad, which would
result in throwing out of employment
in this country many skilled Workmen.
Not Worth Much
The maximum and minimum feature
of the bill, he declared to be not worth
the paper it was written on.
Referring to various witnesses be-
fore the ways and means committee,
Mr.. Cox said:
"A protective tarIf inspires such a
lust for gain and gold that these men
come here and swear their souls down
to the gates of hell in order to get the
| h fI1A
Mr. Cox said there was a large meas
uru of public belief that President Taft
would follow policies quite contrary to
the publican leaders. The action OF
the committee in removing the duty
on hides was disapproved by Mr.. Ster-
ling of Illinois.
Mr.. Weisse of Wisconsin replied that
tt. 10 per cent duty so Disseminated
against the American tanner and
leather manufacturer that they lose
five dollars worth of business on every
hide, and labor loses dollar and
half on days work.
The bill does not remedy the remedy
for the situation, said Mr.. Sterling. He
charged that Mr.. Weisses proposal
was to open the fioodgates and let in
cheaper hides from south America and
other countries, and cause the Amerl-
can farmer to suffer.
Tragedy TOR FARMERS
Mr.. Hughes of Georgia contended
that the history of tariff legislation
was lone continuous performance OF
tragedy for the farmers"
Mr.. Bates of Pennsylvania next
spoke.
A spirited discussion ensued among
Messrs. Iitchin, Dies of Texas, Ora
ham and Burke of Pennsylvania. the
Texas member accused Kitchin OF
being a free trader, which brought the
retort that those members asking pro-
lection for their sections on the plea
that it was for revenue only should
come forward and admit that the Re
publican party had been right and the
Democratic party wrong.
Mr. Kitchin said that under Cleve-
lands free trade policy there was
shipped to the United States but 3d.
0OO, 900 more feet of lumber than came
in under the Mckinley law
"They did not have the money 10
buy" interjected Mr.. Graham.
Democratic applause met the reply
of Mr.. Kitchin that only year ago
even bankers and trust companies had
no money.
He mentioned in particular Pitts
burg that citadel of protection" He
declared that Pittsburg sent to con-
gress representatives who would vote
for it's interests.
This utterance aroused Mr.. Burke,
who vigorously denied it's accuracy.
Mr.. Kitchin declared the final tariff
bill would be made by four men-tWo
in the house and two in the senate.
You know who they are" he ex-
claimed, facing the Republicans. THAT
is the bill you are going to swallow"
he said, land for that reason they
have put things in the Republican
platform to please those western Re
publicans, and they are going to take
it off in the senate so you can go be-
fore the people and say, We'll, now we
have done the best we could. we
passed it in the house and that dog
goned senate just simply ripped
it up"
Taking up the question of oriental
labor employed in the lumber mills
Mr.. Kitchin insisted that despite the
contentious to the contrary of Mr.
Humphrey of Washington, there were
more orientals employed in the lumber
industry in Washington state than IN
British Columbia, and that the wages
in the latter country were about as
high as in Washington.
One Costly Joker
What is designated as a "joker' that
cost the consumers of tobacco in this
country nearly $45,000,000 was found
today in the existing revenue laws by
Representative DAWSON OF 1OWd, WIN
at once introduced a bill to correct the
error by restoring tobacco packages to
their original sizes.
Under the Dingley tariff the two
| ounce packages of tobacco sell to the
consumer at cents each, and the four
ounce packages for 10 cents. In 1898
war revenue tax of cents pound
additional was levied.
At the same time, in order to serve
the convenience of the trade, author
ization was given for the reduction of
the sizes of packages from two, three
and four ounces to one and two-thirds
! two and one-half and three and one
third ounces, thus enabling the smoker
to procure a scent and a Decent pack
age of tobacco Eat the store"
The war revenue war tax was re-
pealed, but the packages of tobacco
remained the same size.
Since 1902 the consumer of tobacco
has been paying the equivalent of war
| taxes to manufacturers.
I14i a& naV