New-York tribune., 1909-04-29
AGAINST FREE LUMBER
DEMOCRATS SMOKED OUT.
Tariff Debate Shoes Them Not IN
Harmony 7cith Denrer Platform.

From The Tribune Bureaul
Washington, April 2s-Dehate on the tariff in the
Senate to-day developed the fact that the Demo
cratic Senators practically united in opposi-
ton TO that plank of the Denver platform which
declares IN favor OF free trade in lumber Not only
are the Democrats opposed TO placing lumber
the free list, but az least half OF them are willing
TO follow those Republican Senators who ask for
the highest rates lumber logs.
speechmaking to-day the Democratic side.
and the Republicans found keen enjoyment in
showing that the minority Senators do not mean
10 follow the promises made In the Denver plat
form.
In a colloquy between Senators Bacon and
Burkett the former said the lumber plank
the Democratic platform did represent the
iherate judgment OF the rank and file of that
party IT was prepared hastily. and was not bind
Ing on Senators who favored a tariff for revenue.
The principal speech for a lumber tariff was made
by Senator Simmons. who maintained that the
rate Of g in the Dingley law a proper revenue
tariff The North Carolinian insisted that a reduc-
ton OF the lumber tariff would not help the home
bullder. but would be Of great advantage TO the
hig corporations engaged in the manufacture of
boxes. He said only low grade lumber from Can
ada would come into this market and those who
we're demanding free lumber were advocating leg
islation which would diminish the governments in
come without comforting any corresponding benefit
on the small consumer of lumber
Mr. Simmons spoke for more than two hours and
Vas frequently interrupted by Republican Sena-
tors Al the close Of the speech Senator BeveridGe
was a
member OF the committee resolutions of the
Denver convention and assisted in preparing the
Platform.
Mr- Burkett. who favors free trade in lumber
was unable To see how the Democratic Senators
could favor any tariff lumber. and asked several
pointed questions along line He said the free
lumber plank in the Democratic platform was a
source Of great annoyance 10 Republicans in the
campaign I'm Nebraska. The people Of that state
wanted tree Iun ber. and were inclined to accept
SIC ,,,lyJ
appear that the Republicans were for free lumber
and the Democrats for dutiable lumber.
Mr. simmons insisted that the broad tariff prin-
cipie Of the Democratic party was tariff for
revenue He admitted that tariff lumber
would afford protection. but insisted that this
incidental to the revenue feature
THE DEMOCRATIC LUMBER PLANK
Several Republican Senators revived their recol-
lection Of the portion of the Denver platform re-
lating the tariff question: They found this
plank in the resolutions
We demand the immediate repeal OF the tariff on
MuodI1ulp. PRINT paper. lumber timber and logs,
and that these articles he placed upon
The Democratic platform Of 1905 in its relation
to free lumber, was thrust at Mr- Simmons by Mr
BUrkett, and incidentally stirred up a hornets
nest because Of interruption by Mr- Hepburn,
who suggested that he slow, Senators on
that side 1raeaning the Democratic side were
supporting the lumber plank Of the Republican
platform.
burns reference TO Senators on tnat side"
What do you mean by that?- he asked the
same time asserting that he held views which
would not warrant any one including him in
general category. 4 am in favor of constItu-
tional tariff for revenue and for other pur-
pose he exclaimed.
Nj Hepburn replied that he simply had con
formed a parliamentary practice. and that il
was usual to refer 10 Senators a whole.
Does not the Senator expect that majority of
Senators on that side viii vote for lumber tar
if - inquired Nj Aldrich Of Mr- Rayner.
The Maryland Senator quickly retorted that he
would for it Then his colleague. Mr..
Smith. rose and put himself on record as favorng
such a proposition. on the oasis that the duty
proposed was revenue
Mr AIdrich declared that Senators in a
fair way y compose their differences as 10 lumber
Vow let's waive this question of names he said
1t is the same whether YOU call it tariff for pro-
lection or tariff for revenue"
Mr. Bacon asked If NJ. Aldrich would bring
down the duties on wearing apparel TO 10 per cent
Mr. AIdrich accused Mr. Bacon Of lodging the
Democratic platform by talking about revenue
duty Il am a protectionist and have the courage
To say so" the Rhode Island Senator exclaimed
i am pro.ectionist in Georgia as well as in New
England and ! willing TO call it protection
am not trying TO dodge behind tariff for revenue
The only response Mr.. Bacon would make was
that he believed protection to be a most vicious
and unjust system 81 taxation
Confronted by Mr. Beveridge with the Demo
cratic declaration for free lumber Mr.. Bacon
caused ripple of la lighter when he said referring
N Mr. Reveridce: He knows how a committee
goes out at midnight and brings in a platform ana
nobody cares anything about it" So far as he was
concerned Mr. Bacon said. he did not recognize
any such doctrine as binding him when a par
-icr,1ar article was picked and placed on the
free list because Of the view entertained by few
men.
I can tell you when the Democratic platform
was wrfcen and where said MI Burkett. VINO
lives i'm Lincoln. Mr Bryan's home city amid Re-
publican laughter
NJ simmons refused to Weld the floor, ana re-
.-,,,e5 bis argument All he wanted, he declared
v.e fair treatment for the lumber industry
Preceding the lumber tariff speech OF MT. SIM
mons the Senate listened to speech by Senator
F2,ov-r Of Nebraska, in support OF his resolution
for = Constitutional amendment to authorize the
enactment Of an income tax law
~, .idricF announced that he would ask the
Senate - resume consideration Of the schedules
.,,,,,o-r,yy Most OF the long tariff speeches are
non, o,,, Of the way, and the Republican leaders
mn -, 80 force action the paragraphs Whlch
-s-e nassed over when the bill was read Tor ule
S., sine Senator Rayner wants 10 make tarlh
.-.ao, before the close of the week, and may seek
- or,,or,,,nity to speak tomorrow Senators poi-
lt,-sr and IaFoIlette have not ATTENDED lhe seS
.;ors for several days. as they are coiec'lhs an,
,r,,,ior ia attack the bill The former VIII mani
,,t. eree,b when the cotton and Wool scleuuie9
- reached Mr. LaF'ollette intends 10 MAKE
1o,e enAech and hopes TO be ready by the His' u
the week.
mn mONC