The Washington herald., 1913-05-14
SENATORS WASTE.
time in DEBATE
Another Day Goes by and
Tariff Bill Fails to Reach
Finance Committee.
PENROSE AN OBSTACLE
Democrats Hesitate to Let Public
Hearing Question Come to
a Test Vote.
PENROSE AN OBSTACLE

Another day went by In the Senate
without the Democratic Senators being
able to secure reference to the Finance
Committee, of-the Underwood tariff bill.
The matter came up shortly after the
Senate met at o'clock, and for two
hours there was an interesting debate
in which party lines were sharply
drawn more than once, and finally the
Democrats put an end to the colloquy
by moving for an executive session.
Evidently the claims which the Demo-
cratic leaders had been making of Re-
publican support in opposition to public
hearings was not i'm evidence yesterday,
or the Democratic opposition to Chair
man Simmons plan for referring the
bill without instructions for public hear
fngs was so great that the Democrats
feared test of strength.
Chairman Simmons took the floor short
ly after the Senate met and held il for
nearly two hours. He renewed his mo-
ton for a reference to the Finance Com
mittee, and Immediately Senator PEN
rose offered an amendment instructing
the committee to grant hearings. Before
the debate ended, Senator La Toilette
came forward with u modification of
Senator Penrose's amendment, which d.
rected the Finance Committee to pro-
pound to all persons who sought hear
ings. sixteen interrogatories to be an
swered under oath, intended to elicit in
formation as to the particular industry
involved Senator Penrose accepted Mr..
La Follette's amendment
When the Democrats, through Sena-
tor Kern, asked for an executive ses-
sion, the Republicans resisted and de-
manded a roll call. But the executive
session was ordered by a vote of As to
81. three Progressive Republicans-La
Toilette, Works, and Poindexter-voting
with the Democrats. At the time the
executive session was moved by Mr..
Kern, Senator Simmons was still on his
feet explaining that there was no neces-
sity for further public hearings.
The move for the executive session
was made with his approval, and after
q hurried conference between Mr.. Kern
and Mr.. Simmons. The eagerness of the
Republicans to get a vote yesterday on
the question of public hearings and the
unwillingness of the Democrats, appar-
emily, to make a test of strength occa-
stoned much surprise
Would Delay Passage.
The struggle will probably be renewed
today and there is some talk of accord
ing public hearings and limiting the time
TO ten days or two weeks. In his speech
yesterday Chairman Simmons warned
held il would prolcng the tariff legisla-
ton for sir weeks at least He told his
colleagues that the Democrats in this
case were following the example set
by the Republicans under the leadership
of Senator Aldrich at the time the
Payne-Aldrich law was before the Sen
ate Committee On Finance. He was
sharply quzzed by Senator William AL
den Smith. Senator Penrose. Senator Lip
pitt and Senator Gallinger.
Senator simmons finally took Mr.. Smith
om>bis feet by saying that he declined to
yield for a volcanic eruption Senator
Lippitt declared that the Democrats were
legisating on the tariff in star cham
Der session Senator Penrose declared
that il was even worse than that. When
Senator Simmons declared that the only
result that would follow, the granting of
public hearings would be long winded
speeches." Senator Penrose retorted that
Mr. Simmons had evidently forgotten his
own speech. lasting four days, delivered
at the time of the Payne-Aldrich bill,
in support of the duty on lumber
THE Senator is almost as earnest now
as he was at that time in favor of the
duty on lumber" interjected Senator Pen
rose whereat the Republicans again
Joined in laughter at the Democratic ex-
pense.
Senator Penrose developed into a Senate
wit yesterday. This is role which he
has never essayed before i'm the Senate.
IL was evident that the Republicans were
united in opposition to the Underwood
bill One of the manifestations of har-
n,ony that aroused much comment was
Senator>Penrose and Senator La Toilette,
seated in the front row on the Republican
side, with their heads together in close
conference, planning Democratic discom-
future Later, the object of the confer
ence was disclosed when Senator Penrose
promptly accepted Senator La Follette's
amendment in regard to public hearings
and the regular and the Progressive
wings of the Republican party in the
Senate once more tapped in unison.