The Washington herald., 1909-03-24

amendments to the Payne tariff bill viii
be determined after the general debate
has progressed a little further. This
statement was made yesterday by Chair
man Payne after ne had been asked sew
eral times what opportunity the members
of the House would have 10 offer amend
ments to the bill.
Mr.. Payne said the plan OF his followers
was 20 allow as much time as possible
TO the discussion of the bill. and that ev-
cry member Of the House would be
given as much time 10 speak and offer
amendments as possible, However. he
declared the country needed an early
revision Of the tariff schedules. and said
he probably would have TO cut the pro-
grsmme shorter than he would Ike.
Spoke More Than Nine Hours.
Mr.. Payne finished his speech on the
bill framed by him and the Republican
members of the Ways and Means Com
mittee yesterday afternoon at 4:15 o'clock.
after having had possession of the floor
since the House convened Monday.
In ALL Mr. Payne spoke nine hours
and thirty-five minutes. At the end he
showed his fatigue to some extent. but
not as one might expect. His voice was
clear, and though weaker than when he
started. he could be heard in all parts Of
the chamber.
Champ Clark the ranking Democrat on
the Ways and Means Committee viii be
gin his speech when the House convenes
at Il O'Clock this morning. and il is ex-
pected he will take up the entire day.
When Mr.. Payne finished his speech yes
terday afternoon ne said that If any
member desired 10 do so. he would be
glad for him to speak until O'Clock.
no one took advantage of the opportu-
nifty and the floor was forced upon Mr..
Clark. The Missourian complained about
having 10 start mis- speech late in the af-
ternoon when the members were tired
out after listening TO a four-hour debate.
and Mr. Payne then made a motion 10
adjourn and let Mr.. Clark proceed on the
opening Of the House to-day.
Mr. Payne made It clear he did not in
tend 10 force Mr.. Clark. from whom a
lengthy speech is expected, 10 begin at
such a late hour and under such unfavor-
able circumstances. He said he made the
suggestion thinking that maybe some
other member who desired 10 speak a
half hour or so might be given the priv
ilege.
Mr.. Payne spent most OF yesterday an
swering SOME OF the hundreds OF ques-
tions hurled at him from every direction
When he started on the second day of his
speech a number OF Representatives
Jumped 10 their feet and asked about
various provisions in the new bill And
from then until the close he was kept
busy informing his questioners. At times
he was forced 20 decline 70 yield for a
question in order that he might answer
another just ahead of him.
The Inheritance Tax.
The inheritance tax came in for live
iy discussion. Champ Clark. who said be
was not fully decided what he thought
of that provision. wanted to know why
the Republicans favored such law. and
at the same time were opposed 10 an in
come tax. He asked if the same amount
OF inquisitiveness and chance for perjury
was not offered by the two. The Repub-
licans say they are opposed 20 the in
come tax for these two reasons. Mr.
Payne admitted there was some ground
for the question. but said the principal
reason he opposed an income tax was
that the United States Supreme Court had
declared that provision in the Wilson bill
unconstitutional
Mr.. Clark then tried 10 get some in
formation about how the proposed inher-
itance tax clause would operate: how
Inheritance during the lifetime Of a par
ent would be listed. but he seemed
unable to get at the bottom of the dues-
ton. Mr.. Payne could not say whether
or not father giving an amount of
money 10 an heir during his lifetime
would be subject 10 the tax. Mr. Payne
was Of the opinion that the law could
not be evaded in that way. but could not
say what length Of time before death
the transfer would have to be made IN
order 10 escape the law.
The question Of whether or not the
States now imposing an inheritance tax
would continue to follow that course after
the passage Of the national law. was an
other interesting feature of the discus
sion Mr.. Payne said he thought Inherit
ance taxes were imposed by thirty-three
States. and he did not believe they would
discontinue such assessments. He said
that in New York alone, the inheritance
tax put S5000OoO in the State treasury last
year
Quizzed on Free Hides.
Chairman Payne was quizzed especially
as TO free hides. Representative Martin
OF South Dakota. Republican claiming
10 speak for cattle growers. declared that
The IS per cent duty on hides was neces-
sary for the farmers
To this Mr. Payne replied that the Big
Four beef packers got the benefit Of the
duty and the farmer was compelled TO
pay It when he bought shoes. and that
the duty had operated 10 drive the South
American hides into the German market
and kill the tanning industry IN the
United States. Mr.. Payne charged that
the Big Four had gone into the tanning
business. and refused to sell the hides 10
Independent tanners.
Representative c. H. Weisse. Of Wis
consin. a Democrat and a tanner, talked
for free hides
Mr.. Payne declared be was glad to yield
10 some one who knew the subject in
business way
Mr.. Payne began by discussing the steel
schedules. The revision in the bill. Mr.
Payne said, was downward. Mr.. Capron.
OF Rhode Island. said the proposed re-
ouction on files was TOO sweeping Re-
plying, Mr.. Payne said the proposed re-
duction on files would not injure capital
or throw one labOrer out Of employment
The passage Of the proposed bill without
amendment. Mr.. Payne said. would cause
boom IN the iron and steel industry
Cheered by Republicans.
When Mr.. Payne took his seat the Re-
publican members OF the House cheered
him loudly. and finally arose and con-
tinued their hand-clapping to show their
annrecfatfon Of the sneaob