Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-25
SAY COUNTRY DEMANDS 1T
Retirement of Standpat Leaders
From the Senate a Factor.
POWER GIVEN INDEPENDENTS
Results Of Recent Elections Cited as
Forecasting Democratic Major
ity in Next Congress.

1nsurgent republicans are beginning to
talk seriously Of another effort during
this administration to revise the tariff.
Their argument Is that the country de-
mands revision, and that If the repub-
licans don't beat the democrats to it"
the democratic party will be intrusted
with the task
TWO things contribute to the revival
of revision talk: First. the landslides In
the two congressional elections already
held; second. the retirement OF the
"stand-pat" leaders from the Senate, with
consequent reorganization of the finance
committee in that body
The possibility of Senator Burrows, In
line for the Craftsmanship of finance, be-
ing compelled to retire from the Senate
adds to the interest Of the situation
With Burrows out and with Senator Flint
out, there would remain on the finance
committee only Penrose, Cullom and
Lodge to represent the ultra protection
sentiment.
Hope Of the Insurgents.
The committee vacancies would be fill
ed by the Senate, and the insurgents are
to believe that revisionists
would control the committee. In the
House the insurgents are confident they
could force the election Of a ways and
means committee, instead of its appoint
ment by the Speaker, and that thus they
would have two friendly committees to
take up the work Of revision.
when would revision be attempted"
That's the burning question, the answer
to which would depend largely on the
outcome of the Congress elections next
Nnv 1hA~ fn OH
be elected. the republicans would have to
try to get revision accomplished before
the next Congress comes in. If a repub-
lican House Is elected. on a promise in
the campaign this fall to revise the tariff
again. it is thought an extra session OF
meet after March 4, 1911.
Proposition Up in Air.
The whole proposition is In the air,
however, and has progressed no farther
than talk and tentative discussion. Presi-
dent Taft would have the deciding word.
since it would devolve upon him to call
an extra session.
The President has expressed himself as
satisfied with this tariff law and is ap-
pealing that 1T be given chance to vim
dicate itself and its authors. Undoubtedly
he would be besieged by the business in
ness by reopening the tariff question.
1t will be contest between the insur-
gent politicians representing, as they
would claim, the revision sentiment Of
and business interests. The attitude Of
organized labor would represent the prob
able balance of power.
1t is claimed on all sides that at the
first serious sign Of coming revision the
would reduce wages. In
fho nj " would
is also feared by some that unionism
would be attacked and the "open shop"
issue forced.
The changes in the committee on
senator's. will attract good deal Of at
tention from now on. This committee
has been the bulwark Of ultra-protection
strength In the Senate for years, but is
now certainly crumbling.
Senator Burrows Prospects.
Senator Burrows will probably know
this week whether he will remain in the
Senate. He Is in conference today with
leaders from his state over his prospects.
He will face for the first time in Michi-
gan politics a primary election next Sep
tember and the outlook now is disquiet-
ing
John ". Blodgett. national committee
man from Michigan: Samuel NJ. Lemon,
collector OF internal revenue; Philip Nc
MILAN and +. d. Stair Of Detroit are in
town discussing the situation with the
senator.
Everything is said to depend upon the
attitude of the senator's colleague, Will
liam Alden Smith, without whose CO.
operation Senator Burrows friends are
unwilling to go into the fight. Senator
Smith thus far has kept aloof on the
ground that 1t is not his fight.