The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-02-12
ON The ANXIOUS BENCH.
REPUBLICANS FEAR THE PIE
suit OF THE FOOD INVEs-
TlGATION.
Presentation of the Facts Nav Have
Disastrous Effect Upon the Coming
Elections.

senate and house will conduct rival
Investigations into the causes of the
nigh cost of the necessaries of life is
question that concerns the Repub-
Hcan political leaders more deepIv
than any other problem now before
congress. If both bodies conduct such
an examination they fear that differ
ent conclusions may be reached and
that such differing reports, on the
eve OF the congressional elections.
would be likely to prove embarass-
ing to the Republican majority.
Nevertheless the Republicans of the
senate apparently are determined to
order such an inquiry and conduct it
with the utmost dispatch, regardless
Of the views Of the house leaders on
the subject.
The Lodge resolution, which was
reported from the senate committee
on finance, has been amended as to
provide for a committee Of seven
senators, and it probably will be re-
ported today from the committee on
contingent expenses. The enlarged
committee will give Senator Elkins
opportunity to serve as one of the
investigators if he cares to do so, and
will unite the Republicans in favor of
the inquiry. There is possibility
shat the investigation proposed by
the house committee on ways and
means may not be ordered but no de-
cision has thus far been reached.
That the inquiry will be virtually
political in character is admitted on
every side. The Republican leaders
concede that the agitation over the
cost of living will play a prominent
part in the congressional campaigns
and they show no disposition to dis
guise their purposee to "fx up their
fences" as well as they can.
Especially they want, it would
seem, to refute the charge that the
tariff is responsible for the increase.
The Republicans have brought forw-
ard the theory that the expensive
methods used by American merchants
in advertising and distributing their
goods is largely responsible for high
prices. They will try to show that
there is a wide difference between
wholesale and retail prices and that
the tariff is not responsible for these
differences.
1t is reported that President Taft
desires the effect of the tariff upon
necessaries of life to be determined
by the inquiry, however it is conduct
ed, and that he will not tolerate any
effort to gloss over any ill effects that
may be disclosed. He has not ex-
pressed himself publicly on this SUBJ
ject.
Appropriation bills will continue to
occupy the attention of the house
during the coming week but in the
senate an effort will be made to COM
plete the postal savings baGk bill in
order to have a vote not later than
Thursday or Friday. OF the presi-
dents policies it is likely that the
Statehood bill next will be consider
ed by the senate.
Practically no interest is being
taken by either hearings on the ad-
ministration bill for the creation of
court of commerce and amending
the railroad rate laws. Open sessions
have been held but few members Of
congress have taken the trouble to
investigate the progress, and even
the members of the committee have
not shown the interest usual to such
legislation. There is a disposition to
pass the bill in about the form I'm
which it was presented by Attorney
General Wickersham. The hearings
are little more than perfunctory.
Friends and enemies Of ship SUBJ
sidy legislation in the house are lin
Ing up for a sharp contest. There is
nothing to indicate when a vote may
be had on the bill, however Legis-
lation of this character has never
been successful in the house al.
though it has passed the senate on
several occasions. 1t is likely that
the subsidy measure will pass tba
senate and if held up in the house
VIII be sent to that body as a rider
on the postoffice appropriation bill.
The postoffice appropriation hill
VIII be completed by the house COM
mittee in all probability before ths
close OF the week, but the indications
are that the diplomatic and consular
Dill and the Indian appropriation bill
VIII prevent its cons Iteration.
Ihere is number of irnnnrtnnt