The Washington herald., 1911-01-14

Ihere are breakers ahead OF the Long
worth tariff commission bill. which has
been indorsed by the administration.
1t may become necessary for the Presi-
dent to make An issue Of the matter
with certain House leaders. That the
President will speak out plainly on the
subject if he is convinced that men of
his own party holding responsible posi-
tions in the House are disposed to put
through bill without teeth is vouched
for by those conversant with the situa-
ton. The President insists that the
House shall pass a tariff commission bill,
and the Longworth bill Is the one that
he approves.
The Longworth bill and like measures
were considered at a meeting Of the Re-
publican members Of the Committee on
Ways and Means yesterday. A count of
noses disclosed that with two exceptions
the Republicans Of the committee favor
the Dalzeu bill, which has become one of
the petsaversionS Of the insurgents in the
House and in the Senate. The DalzeIl
bill. in effect. merely gives a permanent
status to the tariff board now in exist
ence. At least that is the opinion
expressed by those who favor the Long
worth bill. The latter measure provides
for commission Of five members instead
OF three, as provided by the Dalzell bill.
The Longworth bill gives the commission
broader powers of investigation. 1t is re-
garded as a step forward from the legis-
lation which created the existing tariff
board.
LOngworth in Wrong.
II this particular legislation fails. the
PRESIDENT wants to be in a position to
lay the blame on the Democrats As
things are now sizing up there is a pos
sibility Of the Republicans themselves
kicking the fat into the fire. Represent
ative Longworth is not popular with
members Of the Ways and Means Com
mittee. which is friendly to Speaker Can
non. In the late campaign, Mr.. Long
worth was one Of the first to desert the
Cannon forces. He made some caustic
remarks about the Speaker, and friends
of Uncle Joe have not forgotten them.
The indications are that the Ways and
Means Committee will report the Dalzeil
bill. and then If requested to do so by the
President probably will add some Of the
provisions of the Longworth bill. The
President does not care what the bill is
called as it gets before the House. or is
passed by that body, but he does insist
that 1t shall approximate the ideas en-
braced in the Longworth bill.
Bailey Takes Stand.
Senator Bailey. of Texas served notice
on the Senate yesterday that none Of the
numerous bills providing for the creation
of a tariff commission will become a law
at this session Of Congress IL he can pre-
vent it,
The question was brought before the
Senate by Senator Hepburn. of Idaho,
who wanted to know whether the pro-
posed tariff commission would be made a
part of the executive. legislative. or some
other branch of the government.
Il will satisfy the Senator's mind on
that score.' replied Senator Bailey. 'by
asserting that it will not become a part
of either branch Of the government dur
ing this session Of Congress"
Senator Hepburn said he was glad to
hear the statement made by the Senator
from Texas, and announced that he is
not in sympathy with the tariff commits
sion idea
The Democrats fought the tariff COM
mission proposition at the last session Of
Congress, and Senator Bailey's remark In
the Senate yesterday indicates that the
Democrats will resort to q filibuster If
necessary to prevent the passage Of a
fariH commission hill