The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-02-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Senator Lodge caused veritable SEN
sation on the Democratic side ofthe Sen
ate when he submitted official tables OF
statistics showing that the increase in
prices is world wide and prevails in free
trade countries as well as in the highly
protected countries. The Massachusetts
Senator pointed out that the increased
production of gold, which is the measure
of value, is an important factor in higher
prices. He showed that cotton, which
has been on the free list for half cen.
fury, has shown a steady advance in
price. Hides we're placed on the free list
and the duty on boots and shoes reduced
from rs 10 10 per cent by the Payne law.
Mr.. Lodge said, and yet, since the enact.
ment of that law, the price of both hides
and shoes has increased. When Mr..
Bacon inserted that the high price Of
beef was due to the tariff, the Massachu.
sets Senator replied that this could not
be so, inasmuch as this country is one Of
the greatest exporters of cattle and beef
in the world. He informed Mr.. Bacon
that, under absolute free trade. not a
pound of beef would be imported into
the United States. Mr.. Bacon, in his
effort 10 hold the tariff responsible for
higher prices, became somewhat con-
founded when Mr.. Lodge wanted to
know about lumber. Most of the Demo-
cratic Senators, Including Mr.. Bacon,
were opposed to the placing of lumber
on the free list when the Payne bill was
before Congress. Replying, Mr.. Bacon
said he had voted for a duty of 81. %
thousand feet of lumber, but because he
regarded this duty as a revenue tariff.
There was general laughter when Mr.
Lodge replied that he was amused a;the
fiexibility Of revenue tariff aud how tis
limit increased as it approachef]
a home industry.
ms
Postal savings banks are to be opposed
in the Senate by the leading constitu-
tional lawyers on the Democratic side on
the ground that this legislation can not
be enacted under authority of the Con-
stitution. Senators Bailey and Rayner
will lead the fight against postal savings
repositories. Mr.. Bailey has announced
that be was partly responsible for the.
defeat of this legislation in the last Con.
gress and that he will be glad if he can
take like credit at the close of this Con.
gress. He fears that the government is
invading field which should be left to
private enterprise and that ultimately the
establishment Of postal banks will be fol
lowed by other legislation for regulating
private business and centralizing gov
eminent in Washington. Senator Carter.
in charge of the bill. is one of the most
skillfnl parliamentarians in Congress and
under his leadership there is little doubt
that the Republicans will be practically
united in carrying out the platform
pledge of the Chicago convention.
~
The political situation, if it NAY be
called situation. is extremely interest.
ing at present 1t is less situation than
a moving picture. It-is both disintegrat.
ing and formative and the interest is
mainly in anticipating ultimate posi-.
The insurgents have lost moth
ing of their confidence and aggressive.
ness. The standpatters have, appar.
emily, lost nothing of their obstiuacy.
President Taft is walking the rope and
balancing gracefully between the two
factions. The situation surpasses in
interest anything on the stage or in fic
ton. Friday night there was dinner
given by the Publishers Association al
Hotel. The President, Speaker
Cannon and distinguished Senators were
Present. Senator Dolliver, of Iowa,
talking straight to the Speaker of the
House and to. Mr.. Taft not fifteen feet
distant, said that IAN awakened public
will no longer allow tariff laws written in
the offices of the big interests. As l
understand it," he continued. IAN in.
surgent is merely a man who wants to
have bill read before it is adopted and
who demands protection against hand
me-down legislation" The cheers and
display of enthusiasm which greeted this
statement were very suggestive. The
ovation lasted for five minutes and set.
tied men frantically shouted and waved
their napkins. The appearance of Mr..
Pinchot who came in late was the sig
nal for another burst of applause. These
incidents are significant and your readers
will understand them.
So
The State Department has not aban-
doned its plan Of attempting TO make
Zelaya pay the penalty of his crimes
Representations will be made to the gov
eminent Of Nicaraoua xphas, cr,,,,...fr,,t