New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-05-07
DEMOCRATIC OFFER
STARTLES SENATE
CUMNINS DECLINES TO
ENTER ALLIANCE.
1ttackS Finance Committee and
Talks of LamppOsts for
MOnOpOIistS.
IFran The Trthuns Rar.au. l


to-day when Senator NewIands made a propo-
sition to the sO-called Republican 'progressives.
that the Democrats would join them in forcing
downward revision Of the tariff if they would
formulate a workable plan The Newlands
offer did not appeal 70 Senator Cumnins to
whom it was made and after it had been de-
clined the Senate settled down to consideration
Of the tariff bill in the regular way.
Senator Bristow interfered with the plans of
the leaders to make progress on the paragraphs
passed over on the first reading Of the bill and
when adjournment was taken there was no
change from yesterday in the parliamentary
status Of the schedules Mr.. Bristow made an
attack on the lead paragra phs in the chemicals
schedule with view Jf forcing a lower duty
on white lead This brought on a general dis
cussion Of the lead para graph in the metals
schedule. in which Senators Warner, SmOOt and
Hepburn made speeches in support of the rec
ommendation Of the Finance Committee for
duty of Il cents on the lead contents of ore.
They maintained that any lower duty would
close the mines in Idaho. Utah. Missouri and
other states. Mr.. Aldrich did his best 10 force
a vote on this paragraph. but un:IccessfuL
Mr. Bristow resented the efforts of the Re-
publican leaders to hasten action. and insisted
that he would be heard and would have infOr-
nation about the lead question before he con-
sented to a vote. Senator Beveridge came TO ths
assistance of the Kansas Senator and became
involved in a sharp coHoquy with Senator CAL
Hnger. Mr.. Beveridge suggested that the Sen
ators who were trying to hasten action on the
bill without full explanation of its provisions
were not the men who have to bear the bruut
of the next election and render an account ot
their stewardship. Mr. Gauinger intimated that
other Senators were as much interested in tbs
Republican cause as the Indianian- The latter
made sharp reply and for few minutes there
was a rapid exchange Of personalities between
the two Senators.
LEADERS WELL SATISFIED
Although no progress on the schedules was
made to-day. the Republican leaders tonight
expressed themselves as well satisfied with the
situation They said assurances had been given
them that the "insurgent" movement on the
Republican side IS showing signs of disintegra-
ton. There Will be some surprises in the votes
Tomorrow said one OF the Republican lead
ers tonight There is a much better feeling
on the Republican side than there was yester-
dav AMI not to exceed four or five Republicans
will be parties To the general assault on the
+ committees bill"
The Iowa idea" OF tariff revision was set out
at great length to-day by Senator Cumminss
who declared for lower duties on iron and steel.
for free lumber and for broader reciprocity
provision
Near the close Of his speech he had several
sbarn encounters with Senators Scott. SmOOt.
Depew and AIdrich- When Mr.. Depew suggest
ed that iron and steel duties proposed by Mr..
Crmmins might drive the independents out OF
business and result in the organization Of an
International steel trust. the Iowa senator de-
clared that if the day should ever come when
one man or one corporation controlled the COM
nercial destiny Of the world. there viii stu
remain the Iampposts and the common people
after the law has failed in order that tie coun-
Try may be rid of those monopoIstS VINO ceeIcs
the whole world
This led Mr.. Depew to tell story. man
came to him and complained that when anybody
became as rich and powerful as Mr. Vanderbilt
ne ought 10 be strung up 70 lamppost Mr.
Dep..x asked him if he thought man who had
$4,000 eco ought be hanged, and received
negative reply I knew that was the exact
amount he was worth said Mr. Depew-
Mr.. Cummins was severe in his criticism of
Mr AIdrich He paid a compliment TO the
ability and experience of the Rhode Island Sen
ator. but referred 70 his want of candor' in
discussing the tariff bill Replying to questions
bv Mr. AIdrich the Iowa senator said thai
neither he nor his inquisitor was able to ten
the difference in the cost Of making steel prod
nets here and abroad. MI Cummins said that
last year the Nuited states Steel Corporation
sold its product at an average Of 50 q ton
more than was necessary to make a fair and
reasonable profit Mr.. A1driCh suggested that
this was a strange tariff argument as the duty
ON steel rails was only 81 81 a ton The Iowa
Senator insisted that the profits If the steel
corporation furnished the strongest argument
for tariff reductions. and Mr.. AIdrich asked a
sertes ,f questions which were intended 70 de-
,.eIon the suggestion Of the Iowa Senator that
.;se Duties sbould be assessed on the basis Of
the profits made by American business concerns.
OFFER OF ALLIANCE
As soon as Mr.. Cummins had taken his seat.
Mr. NewIands made his offer OF Democratic
support to the Republican "progressives" if they
would formulate a policy fer downward revision
He had been informed that there we're twenty
.progressfves.~ and there were thirty-one
Democratic Senators. a union OF the two would
be a majority. He suggested that the pro-
gressfves~ submit their views to the Democrats.
zrr. Cummins wanted 70 know If Mr. Newland5
was authorized TO speak for his party The
latter said he was not but he felt sure his party
would accept any reasonable proposal II the
.prcsressives" did not join the Democrats in
this offer. they would stand before the country
as dalinquent in their duty 70 revise the tariff
as the people expected it to be revised
Mr. Cummins replied that the most eloquent
and highest protection speeches made in the
senate this year had been made by Democratic
senators and ne doubted the ability OF Mr.
Ne,vIands TO consummate the deal which he
proposed This led Mr. Newlands 10 make
long speech. in which he maintained that Dem
orratic senators had been the leaders IN the
reform legislation inaugurated by President
Roosevelt
Mr.. Aldrich asked under which platform the
nroposed revision would be formulated and Mr..