The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-17
CLASH OVER TARIFF BILL.
SENATOR SIMMONS AND PENRosE
HAVE ORATORICAI BATTLE.
Penroee Amendment the Cause OF De-
bate viii be Discussed Again Today
-Pemcse Refers to Adoption of
Bili as tive Murder of American
Industry"

mittee. and Senator Penrose, leading
the Republican fight to refer the Un-
derwood bin with instructions for
public hearings. delivered oratorical
oroadsides ags!ns. each other in the
senate today I'm debate on the Pen
rose amendment. which will be re-
sumed tomorrow.
Senator Penrose likened the secret
caucus OF the tariff bill TO the meth
DDS OF the Spanish inquisition" and
brought laughter from both sides
when he described the caucus and de-
ciared nc one was present to witness
the murder OF American industry"
Senator Simmons declared that II
the Democratic purpose TO eliminate
hearings could be called reprehensible
IL was the first time the Democratic
party had copied the methods of the
Republicans, and he argued at length
why public hearings were not neces-
sary. averring that they were not
even demanded.
During the debate Senator Penrose
referred to Senator simmons attitude
on the lum Der schedule four years
ago when the Payne Aldrich bill was
under consideration. Senator Simmons
answered that the Underwood bill pro-
vided for everything he advocated four
years ago 10 lumber was TO be placed
nm IA llaf
said. II will vote with pleasure for
free lumber"
Senator Brlstow offered an amend
ment TO the sugar schedule providing
for graduated reductions for two
three-year periods. at the end OF
which time refined sugar would be
taxed at 1.27 i-2 cents per 100 pounds
and Cuban sugar at s.Os72. When
the Kansas senator had concluded an
attack on the Democratic bill, Sena-
tor La Toilette proposed an amend
ment to the Penrose amendment di-
recting public hearings
Senator Bacon then moved that the
senate go into executive session. This
was objected to. but prevailed, 4s to
~ Senator'S La Toilette and Works
voting with the Democrats. This
forced further consideration of the
tarin over until tomorrow.
Senator La Follette's amendment.
which was accepted by Senator Pen
rose. provides that manufacturers who
might appear or file briefs before the
finance committee be required to an
swer under oath 16 questions relating
to the commodity they manufacture,
the raw materials used. the amount of
production and consumption OF the
commodity In this country. the num-
Der OF concerns engaged in it's manu-
facture and their identity, the market
prices In this and competing coun-
tries. the cost OF production in this
and competing countries, percentage
or labor cost here and abroad, what
part OF the existing tariff duty repre-
sents difference I'm cost OF production
here and abroad. and what part of the
tarin duty represents profit OF the
American manufacturer.
President Wilson has taken the po-
sition that he ought not TO commit
himself IN any way with respect TO
numerous minor amendments TO the
tarin bill being suggested by Demo
crats.
Secretary Redheld had a half
hours talk with the president before
the cabinet meeting today and de-
eiared he believed unimportant
changes would be made, but that II
the president consented to certain
ones ne would be besieged with re-
quests to open up other schedules.
secretary Redheld said since IL had
become known that an inquiry was
To be made into the wages and in
dustrial conditions In connection with |
the tarin bill. some requests had come
from manufacturers themselves in |
Viting investigation. These. Mr.. |
Redheld declared, were based. how.
ever. more on the belief that the in
aniry would be the basis for tariff
rates than an examination az To- the
effects Of the bill after II had become
law.
Senator Thomas admitted during
the debate that his statement To- the
senate last Friday that laborers in
the Western beet fields receivd 22
cents per day was incorrect lie said
that he found adult labOrers in those
helds were paid from $3.50 To- 81
day. but that women and children
received much less
Senator Smith OF Michigan, refer ]
ring In "A hnfch nf tnlnnrnrnn .,hInh