The Washington times., 1909-03-07
Conflicting Interests Will
Make Agreement Diff
cult in Senate.
EACH MEMBER HAS
HIS AK TO GRIND
Every Southern State Wishes
Some Industry Protected,
as in North.
By John SNURE.

Senate Democrats are in a most pecu-
liar position with respect to the revi-
sion of the tariff. To date they have not
come to any conclusion as to what
course they will take when the tarin
bill comes TO the Senate from the
House They are certain to expert
ence the greatest difficulty in reach
irg any conclusion. Indeed, some prom
Trent Democratic Senators doubt wheth-
er it will be possible for them to reach
an agreement.
It is fully realized everywhere that
the real battle over the tariff will be
fought out in the Senate. II the Demo
Gratis are unable to get together and
act with something like unity the Re
publican leaders under the direction OF
Senator Aldrich will find il that much
the more easy to force through the
measure they want.
The difficulty of the Senate Demo
Gratis Is Just the same one which con-
fronts nearly everyone else in Congress
That Is, each one of them has some
important local industry which is de-
manding protection Maryland has its
linas and other Southern States have
their cotton manufacturing industries,
Alabama has its iron, Louisiana has
sugar and lumber, Texas has lumber
and hides and so it goes.
Conflicting Interests.
1t is apparent that the Democratic
Senator who arises in the Senate and
declains against the evils OF protec-
ton can not 5e extremely effective if
he has to turn about and insist on the
peanuts from his State being ade-
Quately protected or the sugar from
his bailiwick put under the aegis Of a
comfortably-S duty. These Senator'S.
therefore, are not likely to be in posi-
ton to do more than to make a guer-
Eilla war on certain schedules.
That the revision Of the tariff this
year Will be accomplished with little
reference TO the doctrine of free trade
becomes more and more clear. Scarcely
any or the Democrats in either house
are IN position to talk free trade Most
ask for free trade and are as clamorous
Tor protection on some lines of industry
as New England is. II appears likely
now that a more effective struggle for
real tariff revision will be waged by
some OF the irsurgent Republican Sen
ators than by most of the Democrats.
Little Show in House.
In the House, the revisionists of either
party Will have little show OF getting
action because IT IS generally expected
that when the time comes when. in the
opinion Of the leaders. the tariff bill
ought to be disposed OF, a rule will b'
brought in for that purpose and debatS
cut short In the Senate, unlimited de
bate VIII give the revis1onists much bet
ter chance 10 accomplish something
than the revisionist members Of tn
House will have. unless, perchance
there should be change Of Importance
in the rules.
More and more, it becomes clear tina
the revenue question is going TO towe
above ell others when IL comes 10 re
wiring the tariff. The appropriations 70
the next fiscal year having run up L
over 81, o44. 600 600. and a huge deficit be
ing In sight, with the President anxiou
TO get rid OF the deficit. the first con
stderation is certain 10 be how mucl
revenue a given set Of duties will yield
Hard to Prophesy.
This, however. is a matter OF conjec
ture. Little will really be known abou
the amount of money a tariff bill vii
bring the Government until som
months have elapsed after the bill ha
gone into effect. This uncertainty, il
the opinion of some members of tn
Senate, Is going TO make IL difficult [
get legislation through for raising rev
enue other than that which would b
raised by the tariff measure
1t is one of the Obstacles which VII
stand In the way OF inheritance Ia,
legislation which MI Taft is adyocat
1A8.