The Washington herald., 1912-01-27

with the Democrats behind Majority
Leader Underwood.
Three members sfrom iron and steel
centers participated in the debate on the
iron and steel bill yesterday They were
Representatives Underwood, Palmer. and
DalZeIl. of Pennsylvania. Representative
Palmer delivered a carefully prepared
speech, in which he Contended that the
pending bill, operating as a law would
be a good thing for the consumer and
not seriously affect the industry con-
cerned.
Representative Dalzell attacked the bill.
declaring that Il was unscienufc and
calculated to injure the trade as well as
the labor employed In II. Representative
Underwood was brought into the debate
by the taunts Of Mr.. Dalzell. who charged
that II the bill was enacted into law
that the American manufacturer would
lose the market in the Mississippi Valley
and the Pacific Coast. Further, Mr.. Dali
zell charged that the Democrats, who
passed free list bill at the last session,
presumably for the benefit Of the farmer.
had lost interest in the American
granger.
Palmer Defends Schedule.
"As compared with the so-called Cum
minis amendment, the proposed law in
creases the rate above those carried in
that amendment in twenty-five cases and
reduces them in ffty-fve classifcations,"
declared Mr.. Palmer. This bill Is pre-
sented in the confident expectation that
il will become a law. The record Of the
other branch OF Congress in respect to
the metal schedule is such as to inspire
more than a hope that this revision will
receive favorable consideration there.
The so-called Cummins amendment pre-
sumably embodied the ideas OF the only
section of the Republican party to whom
the public can look for assistance toward
any relief from tariff taxation.
THE pending bill does not travel far
enough beyond the destination OF the
Cummins amendment to frighten the sup
porters Of that proposition from journey
ing to the limit fixed in this measure.
II that particular section OF the ReOub-
lican party will now accept this oppor-
tunity for placing on the statutes one Of
the great changes in the tariff law which
some of their able leaders have so loudly
urged they will find a united Democratic
party ready to cooperate with them"
Mr.. Palmer said there was no reason
why the President should refuse to sign
the pending bill II it were submitted to
him for approval
Nothing that the President has said"
he added, need deter him from giving
ing that he ever has said in the past has
deferred him from taking such action
later as political eXigencies at the time
seemed to require: certainly no declara-
ton Of his would seriously plague him
II he were to change his attitude when
the change would be effective for public
good"
Representative DalzelI arraigned the
Democrats for their lack OF considera-
Tim nf larrn ind Of
try, their determination to revise the
tariff haphazard. and their refusal TO
await Investigation by the tariff board. |
4 body created and appropriated for
through aid OF Democratic votes"
DnIzen Scores Wilson.
Mr.. DaIzell referred to a magazine |
article. in which Gov. Wilson. of New |
Jersey, had attacked the method OF maxi |
ng tariff bills in committee rooms and !
n party caucus without opportunity OF |
1ebate or serious consideration in the |
House proper"
That was written by the then presi- |
lent of Princeton" said Mr.. DalZelL !
That is what he thought then: what he /
ihinks about II now / do not know, since |
he gentleman in the meantime has be-
,ome distinguished as the most expert
artist who has ever con-
-AiOdteu Dg his anllCS 10 Ine JOY Oh a 4
POLITICAL vaudeville. There is not a man l
IN the Democratic side Of the House to-
lay who dares vote his conviction upon
single paragraph OF this bill, because
or representative government you have 1
government by caucus"
Representative Underwood was not on I
programme to speak yesterday, but he was
stung to action by the caustic remarks or
dr. Dalzell. Mr.. Underwood declared that
he protective policy, as advocated by
he Republicans. proposed to guarantee
profits to American manufacturers
We have no more right to guarantee
'rofits to manufacturers. than We are to
bankers. brokers or bakers" declared l
hr. Underwood. The pending bill. he
laid. was a revenue bill pure and simple.
He insisted that II all IRON and steel
PRODUCTS were placed on the free list
hat the industry would not be destroyed.
Effort was made 10 agree on a timet
o vote on the measure, but failed. 1ne
Indications are. however. that the bill
Ein be passed to-day or early next
week.