Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-02-19

49, 49, 80
Says He Wants a Fair and Complete
Investigation As to the Cause of
High Prices-Doeo Not Believe That
the Republican High Tariff Caused
Them.
Washington, Feb. Ia. - Whether
Senator Elkins viii remain upon the
reservation is a question which Is not
only interesting his constituents In
West Virginia but may become a mat
ter OF national Importance In the in
quiry about to be made under his res
olutlon providing for an investigation
as to the cause of the increased cost
of living. As the committee will be
constituted Senator Elkins will hold
the balance of power and the report
can be made az he directs. For the
committee will consist OF Senator
Lodge, chairman, two other stand
pat" republicans. Senator Elkins and
/ three democrats.
It win be remembered that the OPP
position which the Elkins resolution
met when first introduced was from
"~stand-pat" senators VINO were oppos-
ed to an investigation which would
bring the tariff into discussion again
and open the way for a possible revis-
ion or a democratic victory in the
next election unless the revision
should be made substantially down.
ward. Senator Elkins indignant be-
cause resolution was ignored, made
threats upon the floor of the Senate.
stating that he had been compelled,
through reasons which the senator
from Rhode Island. Mr.. Aldrich un-
derstood. to remain on the reserva-
ton" but that he was not now bound
to do so and that he might be found
wandering from 1t unless his demand
that the cause OF the high cost OF
living be investigated should meet
with the Senate's approval. and a fair
and thorough inquiry be made
Now the Senator has an opportunity
to show whether he is still fast TO
the reservation or whether he Is In
a position to wander at will. He has
protested from the start that he
wants a fair and complete investiga-
ton as to the cause OF high prices In
the interests OF the eighty million
people OF the United States. And his
word Is entitled to credence. His
resolution raj opposed by such re-
publican leaders as Aldrich and Kean
because they feared he meant what
he said and did actually want a fair
and thorough investigation. They
tried to have omitted from his res
olution any reference to an l~nvesti-
cation as to the effect of the tariff
and trust upon the cost OF living.
But Senator Elkins insisted and per-
sisted until he obtained the passage
Of his resolution with the provision
for the investigation Of the tariff,
trusts, monopolies and combinations
in restraint of trade included. And
now when the investigation is started
with Senator Elkins a member OF the
committee to do the investigating VIII
come to test OF whether he will re-
"a VII th1 lVRtA ~
"The republicans who opposed SEN
ator Elkins' resolution were said TO
have done 80 because they took him
at his word, feared he wanted a full
investigation as to the effect OF the.
tariff upon prices and were opposed
to any such opening upon the food
gates of tariff information. On the
other hand, Senator Stone, OF Missouri
stated on the floor OF the Senate that
he looked upon the proposition as a
project to conceal rather than to re-
veal the truth In regard to the high
prices. And 1t will be within the
power of Senator Elkins to show that
Mr.. Stone Is wrong In his ideas.
With three republicans on the COM
mittee who believe the republican
party can do no wrong and that the
Tariff could not possibly cause high
prices: with three democrats who
would be only too glad to show that
the tariff Toes raise prices, rs the con
sumner generally knows, and with SEN
ator Elkins holding the balance of
power on the committee and with the
deciding vote upon Its findings, he Is
In a position to show clearly whether
he intends to stick "on the reserva-
ton or to wander into other pastures.
But in spite OF the fears OF his fell
low republicans Senator Elkins can
be calssed as a regular" republican.
At the same time that he was demand
ing an inyestigation OF the effect OF
the tariff on the prices OF food he was
asserting on the floor OF the Senate
that he is a tariff republican, a pro
te~ctionist and did not fear the effect
Of ny Investigation upon the tariff.
0 hur words he wished TO give as
surance that he was convinced before
The Investigation that the tariff could
not be held responsible while his re-
publican opponents expressed their
doub by fearing to have the subject
investigated. Withal, he seems to be
a better republican, a nor ardent adj
- ~ 4A.4E