The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-08
INSURGENTS PAVE
WAY FOR REVISION
Nay Attempt to Revamp the
Tariff This Session.
CUMMINS ENGINEERS MOVE
Strategic Maneuver by Senator from
Iowa Lines Up &. o. p. Regulars
Against Taffs Recommendation of
Future Revision by UnitS-JOint
Rule Discussed by Members.

That the Senate insurgents intend to
make an effort to revise the tariff at this
session. or at least pave the way for a re-
vision in the Sixty-hrst Congress, was
indicated by developments yesterday.
BY clever maneuver. engineered by
Senator Cummins, of Iowa, the Senate
progressives have placed the regular
leadership in the position of antagonizing
that section Of the Presidents message
in which he recommends that future re-
visions Of the tariff be made schedule
by schedule.
Speaking for the responsible leadership
in the Senate yesterday. Senator Hale, of
Maine, opposed a resolution offered by
Senator Cumnins which devises method
of revising the tariff along the lines sug-
gested by President Taft
1t is apparent that the Senate pro-
gressives have embarked upon a course
Of action designed 20 show the country
that the insurgents are the only simon
pure. MISUNDERSTANDING friends of the
people.
Knowing full well that the Aldrieh-Hale
organization Is tender on the subject of
the tariff, Senator Cummins and his al
lies have decided to attack the old lead
ers On that score. Their first move will
be to present a bill charging the powers
Of the tariff board In the meantime they
are bent on securing the adoption OF a
joint rule under which the Senate and the
House may proceed to the consideration
Of specified schedules Of the tariff without
entering upon a general revision such as
was made by the Aldrich-Payne bill
Joint Rule Considered.
The proposal to adopt joint rule bear
ing on the tariff was considered in the
Senate yesterday. The Cummins resolu-
ton, which would prevent the taking up
OF amendments 10 a tariff measure. save
those germane to an amendment under
consideration. was called up by its au-
thor. There was tilt between Senator's
Hale and Cummins over it. Dir. Hale OBJ
jected 10 il on the ground that its consid-
tratiOn without written notice would be
in violation of the Senate rules. Charac-
teriZing the changes in the rules proposed
by Senator Cummins as revolutionary,
Mr. Hale said he would certainly insist
upon the usual procedure. Mr.. Cummins
replied that there was nothing in his res
olution that would change or modify any
Senate rule. but he withdrew the reSolu-
ton. announcing that he would give a
written notice of its presentation and call
IL up again at the first favorable oppor-
tunity.
The action Of Senator Hale m placing
obstacles in the way Of the Cummins
resolution is accepted as notice that he is
opposed 10 the administration plan OF re-
that he will resist any effort that may
be made TO change any schedule at this
session. Mr.. Hale. il is understood. does
not approve the Presidents Tecommenda-
ton that the tariff board be made a per-
manent body. with enlarged powers. Just
how far other Senate regulars will so
with him on this proposition remains TO
be seen
The Senate progressives have no hope
of effecting even a partial revision of
the tariff this winter. They believe how
ever. that If they have the support OF
the administration that il Will be easy
TO pass a bill augmenting the powers of
the tariff board bill on the subject
viii soon be presented in the Senate by
one of the insurgents. II viii give the
board authority 90 subpoena witnesses
and compel the production OF books
and papers of corporations.
Question of Right Involved.
Doubt is expressed that Congress
would have the right TO delegate in
quisitorial authority so far as individuals
are concerned, In the case Of indiYid-
uals who refuse to give up data demand
ed. the board will be instructed TO so
report to Congress, giving the names of
articles concerning which information
was refused. This publicity feature OF
the proposed law, the insurgents believe,
would prove effective.
A bill aimed at the present tariff law
was introduced yesterday by Represent
alive Sulzer, Of New York. II provides
that all meats. preserved and otherwise.
and all cattle, including sheep and pigs,
imported TO this country and utilized as
food" shall be placed on the free list
These products should be admitted
free" said Mr.. Sulzer. They are con-
trolled by a trust which fixes prices and
regulates supply In view of the fact
that the meat trust is selling meat
cheaper in London than in this country,
il seems TO me that the trust should no
longer be given protection"