The Washington times., 1913-04-30

are now pretending to be for a tariff
commiss sIon," said Mr.. Murdock. but
put them back into power and they will
have no tariff commission. They will
way. getting their Information from the
men who want to be rotected at the ex-
pense of the general public" loud ap-
plause on the Democratic side.)
. The aroused Congressman Gardner OF
Massachusetts, refuted Mr.. Murdock's
challenge Of the sincerity of the Re-
pubIcans. He then brought on another
wordy war by calling upon two Demo-
Gratis to rise in their places and express
an opinion whether the Republicans
were pretending March 4. 1911.
Il ask the gentleman from Kentucky,
Mr.. Sherley. to say whether he thought
the Republican party was acting in
good faith on that tay?"
Mr.. Sherley answered that their
action was taken so late that almost
vent success attending their efforts"
Congressman Gardner said that wasn't
an answer 20 his question, and he sur
prised Speaker Clark, who had a seat
on the floor, by asking him to rise and
give testimony about that memorable
fight
The Speaker said he didn't believe
there ever was a Republican leader in
the House who wanted a tariff COM
mission. Later, he said that perhaps
Mr. Payne had been really in favor of
a commission.
Sparring Match.
While the House laughed, Mr.. Gard
ner attempted % pin The Speaker down
to a direct answer, and the two MEM
bers spared back and forth.
''The gentleman from Kansas charges
us with a conspiracy. Is the charge
Just? That is the question:" said Mr..
Il think the gentleman from New York
Mr.. Payne, was honest on that day."
answered the Speaker.
mo, but was there conspiracy"
II do not know"
but what does the gentleman uhink?"
II think that some Of the Republic
cans were in favor Of a tariff comniis-
sion and come as bitterly opposed as l
was"
Il know. but was there a conspiracy
IT can't tell. for wasn't in 1t If
there was one" snapped the Speaker,
and the House roared. Il have not
charged q conspiracy"
Il ask you what you think
"I didn't charge a conspiracy"
"The gentleman will not answer my
question:" said Gardner, bit re-
signedly.
Outlines Position.
.I can't answer it." responded Mr..
Clark. When he was allowed to pro-
ceed. the Speaker thus outlined the
Democratic position on the tariff COM
mission question:
Here Is the Democratic position
about the tariff board or commission:
We want information about the tariff
question, and solicit 1t from any source
under heaven. 1t Is an interminable
job-tariff revision. ] am in favor OF
the ways and Means Committees hav-
ing all the expert help 1t needs. and l
know the gentleman from Alabama ia
vors the same thing.
1T Is the House that primarily needs
the information on the subject Of the
tariff. The last body that has anything
to do with a tariff bill Is the President,
who signs 1t. Now, what is the sense
in spending S250,000 or $5O0. 100 to get up
tariff board to instruct the Presi-
dent?
There is no such thing as a nom
partisan board. 1t is incredible that
any man fit to sit on a tariff board or
commission has no political opinions
which lead him into some sort of an
affiliation with political party.
Il am opposed to any commission un-
less 1t Is responsive to the Ways and
Means Committee Of the House and not
to some one on the outside" ..