Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-13
Iowa Senator Tries to
Pave Way for Some
Reductions.
WOULD AMEND RULES
Debate Switched to Discussion
of Right to Originate
Legislation.

Washington, Dec. 13 - Contending
the present tariff law imposes exces-
sive duty and the country at large de
mands its amendment. Cummins. of
Iowa, today delivered a speech in the
senate in advocacy of his resolution
limiting the power of amendment of
bills dealing with separate schedules
of the law
The speech was the first attack of
the session on the Payne-Aldrich law
Cummins disavowed any intention of
opening up a general tariff discussion.
Still. he found it difficult to avoid a
general expression of tariff questions.
Duties IncxcusabIc.
1T is well known" he said, that
] consider excessive and unexcusabIe
many duties levied by the law of 1909.
] know also that many people believe
the law should he amended. During
the recent political struggle I did not
hear single utteranCe by a republican
that did not admit the law contains
duties that ought to be changed and
that it IS the duty of congress- to act
speedily"
Must Modify Laws.
Declaring then that under the ex-
listing parliamentary usage in the
house and senate the amendment of
the tariff law is out of the question.
he contended that the first step 10
be taken was a modification of the
rules so as TO render il possible TO
amend an individual provision of the
tariff without taking up the entire
tariff question.
The real issue" he said lis
whether we shall so amend our rules
as to permit amendment of the law.
schedule by schedule"
Soon Interrupted.
Cummins had not proceeded far
until he was compelled to submit to
Interruptions. Aldrich. Hale. Lodge
and Carter participated in the de-
bate. Aldrich afforded the Iowa
senator much qualification by ex-
pressing concurrence with the latter
Il think" said the Rhode Island
member, we are all agreed that it
is desirable to take up the tariff by
subjects, and not by schedules" He
expressed doubt, however. as to the
adequacy of Cummins' amendment
to accomplish this result. contending
the adoption of the resolution would
have the effect of curtailing the con-
stitutionaI power of the house to
originate tariff legislation. Bacon
also contended for the right of each
house to formulate its own rules.
Refuses to assent.
Hepburn would not assent TO the
proposition that all republicans are
agreed to the policy of piecemeal tariff
revision. He advocated a protective /
policy and declined to be committed to
any other policy.
After an experience with five tar
ifs, l believe some way should be de I.
vised for the amendment of the tariff /
laws without entering into a general /
revision" said Lodge, planting himself |
squarely on Cummins' side.
Gets Into TechnicaIiticS.
The debate drifted into a technical .
parliamentary discussion of the prop .
priety of dealing with the subject by /
means Of a joint resolution, as is pro ,
posed by Cummins resolution. Aldrich .
thought there might be concurrence
on the part of the two houses. but he |
did not accept the theory that the
question could be dealt with by joint
On the other hand Cum,
Minis contended a general concurrence
without legislation, would be absolute
.y impra cticable.