The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-19
BANKHEAD SEES
 GOOD TIMES AHEAD
Expects Activity in All Lines
 of Business
DEMOCRATIC OUTLOOK
Senator Is Not Altogether Optimistic. Expects No Material Tariff Re- ductfon During the Taft
 Administration

Montgomery, August lo-topecidi'J~ United States Senator John H. Bankhead, who came to speak to the members of the State Farmers union, looks for re- turn of good times and restoration Of all lines of business activity when 1t Is de- termined what will be the effect of the new railroad law, just now put into force He has found that any cessation that may now be prevalent In the country may be tracable to the fear that it may further handicap the transportation com panies.
 Railroads, the senator has found, have been hit pretty hard in the last few years and they are trying to get out of the woods. Increases in the wages of their men and the enhanced cost of all kinds of supplies has brought them to a state of uncertainty that is reflected in their with drawal from the markets and the holding up of all kinds of improvements. The transportation organizations are heavy buyers. taking almost, if not fully, half of the lumber output.
 The powers of the law and the extent to which it may be used or not used, in the SOhtiOi Oi thV tidliS iihSoy pOiho JCS dh- determined, the senator thinks is the cause back of business depression. As soon as it is fully understood, there will no doubt be return of activity.
 This is the only reason on earth that | can see why there are not flush times and active business in all lines of the country" he continued He did not under take to discuss the law, one way or the other. Until 1t Is known what can be done with 1t the country is going to wait and watch. After that there ought to be active prosperity.
 The Democratic Outlook
 With regard to the democratic outlook Senator Bankhead is not altogether opti- mstic, though he does think that the democrats and the insurgents will control the next House. This may or may not be a good thing for the party. With power only to help the opposition to the regu- lars, without absolutely controlling or se- curing legislation, there is great danger that they may become responsible for things they might not care to have laid to them. In the end this might be a heavy load to carry. However, the out look for an increase in the democratic numbers is bright and there is every req son to believe that the party Is making it's way back to power In a substantial way.
 Senator Bankhead does not look for tarin legislation at the short session, nor ma- terial reduction in the Taft admnistra- tion. The President has stated he recalls, that the Payne-Aldrich bill is good tariff bill, and that it meets his approval so there is no reason to look for any sym pathy there. The tariff committee is likely to be of some practical service, but just how much Is not possible to say. The senator believes, however, that an able non-partisan tariff commission could be of vast benefit to the country, as the congressman and senators know nothing of the technical side of it.
 Tariff Not Understood
 Like all students of this great ques- ton the Alabama statesman finds that 1t Is little known. For instance, the doc Urine of free raw material is one that has It's limitations for good. In fact free raw material is an unknown quantity, for raw material is raw only until it is used. A tree in the woods is raw material, but finished product of the axman when cut. Iron in the earth is raw material until mined, when it becomes the finished prod uct so far as the miner is concerned. The same thing is so of coal Hence the tariff is a thing to be understood after long and close study.
 Legislators of Congress have no reason to take up ana pass on these matters OlI hand. They know nothing of them and must have advice. Leaders who have been in the halls at Washington many years have the power to run things. and they get as advisors those men who will advise as they want to be advised. Hence a tariff bill made during session of Con- gress Is not a good one, nor an output with which the country is going to be pleased. And, in the opinion of the senr etor, 1t Is not reasonable to take up and psss a full schedule at one time. Condi- lions change. A bill that corrects things here and there is practical, not general readjustment when the whole list needs not to be changed.
 Captain Bankhead--he was a captain long before he became a congressman or sena tor-smiled when asked about the little agitations among the politicians of this state and the report that some men were to be embarrassed because of their views He thought 1t amounted to little and has confidence in the good sense and the patriotism of all hands to keep the old ship of democracy well in line and harmonious. The whole thing struck him as of no consequence, as the democrats r-l~