Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-25
MEANS A LONG SESSION
Big Politics Will Be Played at Cap
itol This Summer.
BOTH AFTER RURAL VOTES
Democrats and Republicans Plan to
Travel Different Routes to
Reach Same End.

The high tartn republicans in the
Senate are bracing themselves against
action on the farmers free list tar
iff bill at this session. That measure
is to be fought in committee and on
the floor Of the Senate-fought to a
standstill II the high tariff men can
have their way
Canadian reciprocity-yes: they will
not be able to stop that measure. back
ed by public insistence as it is. But
they propose to stop there.
But the farmers free list is de-
signed to make Canadian reciprocity
acceptable to protectionists." it is
claimed. whereupon the high tariff
forces reply that they are not con-
cerned in making it acceptable, but on
the contrary would like to see it
passed without the compensatory suf-
fix of removal of duties on manufac-
tured goods.
Angling for Rural Vote.
The high tariff republicans count
upon arousing the resentment of the
farmers against reciprocity. Some Of
them believe that it means winning
back to the republican ticket in the
next congressional elections the farmer
vote
The high tariff men already are begin
ming to protest against the free list bill
which the House Will send over to the
Senate within the next two weeks. They
insist that this is not revision of the
tariff. but the application Of free trade.
They complain that it is no way to re-
wise a tariff TO take a handful Of items
off the protected list and slap them on
the free list, without word of explana-
ton or moments inquiry.
To begin with, the republican high pro-
tectionists will insist upon hearings on
the farmers free list. The democrats of
the House, they say, did not even con-
slider in the open their proposed action
on the free list, gave no opportunity to
the manufacturers and producers to be
heard, but arbitrarily cut off the duties.
Ample Hearings Given.
In contrast to this method. the high
protectionists cite their action in fixing
the duties on the products thus to be ex-
empted from duty. The ways and means
committee in the preparation Of the
Payne-Aldrich bill gave long hearings,
wherein the American manufacturers
were permitted to appear and explain
the amount of protection needed and why
1t was needed. 1t is claimed that the
duties were arranged to afford both rev.
enue to the government and protection
to the industries.
The method Of the democrats, it is con-
tended by the high protectionists. cuts
off the revenue and destroys the protec-
ton, upon the arbitrary decision of the
committee on ways and means and with
out reference to any of the parties con-
cerned.
The Senate, it is said II the high pro-
tectiOnists can have their&way. will not
be hurried into acQuiescence in the demo-
cratic program. The Senate Is repub
lican. there is big politics to be played.
presidential and congressional politics,
and the republican Senate, 1t is declared,
does not propose to be stampeded into
playing into the hands Of the democrats.
Why Session Was Called.
The republican leaders are falling back
upon the fact that President Taft did not
call the extra session to revise the tariff;
he summoned Congress OF perform q spe-
cif1c duty-to pass the Canadian reciproc-
ity bill-and the republican leaders are
disposed to find refuge in that fact from
a general ripping up Of tariff schedules.
This policy of the republican high pro-
tectiOnists Is we'll understood by the dem
ocratic leaders Of the House. and the lat
ter are not worrying themselves about it
at all. THE House will propose these
measures Of relief for the American con-
sumers," they say, "and IL the Senate
holds back the country will know upon
which political party to place the blame.
If the republicans want to go into the
next presidential and congressional cam
paign on such a record we are willing"
First Clash in Senate.
The first contest in the Senate will prob
ably come over the proposition to unite
the Canadian reciprocity bill and the
farmers free list. In this the progressive
republicans will be an interested faction
The democrats hope to win the progress
sive republicans to reciprocity by the
promised sop to the farmer OF removal
of duties on manufactured articles.
The progressives face the contingency
of supporting the reciprocity bill, il 1t
stands alone, and having the sop to the
farmers shelved by the high protection
lists after reciprocity is out of the way.
The prOgressives have already served
notice that reciprocity cannot pass unless
the farmers are given compensation by
removal of duties on articles they have
to buy. The progressives hold the bal
ance of power, and are in a position to
make it very interesting both for the
Mgh-tariff protectionists and the demo-
Gratis.
All OF which is taken to mean that q
long and harassing session is ahead, and
that the Senate will swelter here In the
dog days, according to present prospects.
Minority Report Submitted.
The minority report on the farmers S
free list bill,'' was submitted to the
House late yesterday. 1t is signed by
Messrs. Payne. Dalzell. Mccall. Hill,
Needham, Fordney and Longworth and
is as follows:
1.-The pending bill was ordered reported
not only without investigation, but with
out the semb!ance OF consideration by
the committee. 1t was stated in the COM
mittee that 1t would reduce revenue about
81 500 600 ard 1t is now admitted that
it will cut down the revenue by more than
$40 600, and the later admissions are
likely substantially to increase this
amount.
"The measure was christened by it's
authors 1.-The farmers free-list BILL" and
1t represents a transparent attempt at
the manufacture of political capital. In
view Of the title which it's friends have
given it, 1t would at least have been
proper to investigate the effect it Is likely
to have upon the agricultural interests
The President of the United States felt
it his duty to call Congress in special
session to consider the Canadian recip-
rocity bill.
THAT bill has already been acted upon
by the House, and instead Of bringing
forward tariff bills, i'll considered or not
considered at all. for the purpose Of ad-
ministering political soothing syrup to
particular classes OF population, the un-
-