The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-07
L|PPETT'S CHARGE
PROVOKES SPIRITED
DEBATE IN SENATE
Declares Cotton Schedule of
Tariff Bill Discriminates
Against New England.
Warm Replies


Washington, August Ex-senator Ldppitt
Of Rhode Island aroused democratic lead
ers. Of the Senate to spirited replies today
when discussing the cotton schedule. He
charged that it Disseminated against New
England In favor OF the south and that
It was haphazardy prepared.
Senator HoSe Smith of Georgia ve-
hemently denied the charge of sectional
ism, declaring that the appeals of south
ern manufacturers for Increases were un-
needed by the finance committee.
lie called attention to the fact that the
subcommittee which considered the cot
ton schedule was composed of Senator
Johnson of Maine, Senator Hughes of New
Jersey and himself.
Senator Stone of Missouri, referring to
Senator Lippitt as cotton manufacturer
remarked that the time had passed when
representatives OF the interests could
write the tariff laws
Before the distinguished senator from
Rhode Island graced this body with his
official presence" said Senator Stone, 'he
and Senate representing this very indus
try. 1t is not to the credit of our legisla-
ton OF the past that the representatives of
the cotton, wool and steel and other In
terests were permitted by the committees
of Congress actually to prepare the tariff
schedules
Entering New Era
I'VE are entering upon a different era
We desire as far as possible to subserve
the well being of the manufacturers, but
the fact must be recognized that we have
gone beyond the period when the inter-
ests can prepare the schedules.
Doing that in the past has produced
an economic condition in which the bus
iness of the country has been placed In
the hands OF these men. Because of it the
line are supercilous contemptuous. will
have no effect in deterring us, and in
changing the fixed purpose to make q
tariff in the interest Of the American
people,
Senator Weeks of Massachusetts asked
Senator Stone to name some of the mo-
nopolies he referred to.
Enormous Profits
Perhaps Senator Stone replied, "the
senator would like me to mention the
steel lnuuSllN. tDc WOOL industry or the
cotton mills of New England whose stocks
have sold at 200 or 800 per cent because
of the enormous profits under the opera
tion of these outrageous tariffs"
There is no monopoly in the cotton in
dustry. the senators knows said Mr..
Weeks.
'If not monopoly, exploitation?'' Sena-
tor williams Of Mississippi suggested.
Further progress in consideration of the
bill was made, the metal schedule being
practically completed.
The first vote OF the day came on breech-
loading rifles.i in an amendment by Sem
ator Smoot i-fo reduce the duty from So
per cent TO % per cent. the present rate.
The amendment was lost, ~ TO 81.
An amendment by Senator Mclean of
Connecticut TO increase the duty on
needles from 20 per cent to 40 per cent
was defeated, so to 49, Senators Brs-
tow. Clapp, Gronna, Kenyon, LeFollette,
Norris and Works of the minority
voting with the democrats. Senator
Gallinger offered another amendment To
make the rate on needles range from
20 per cent ad valorem. Is cents a
thousand. and 20 per cent ad valorem
additional, according to. grades. This.
too, was voted down. Senator Gallinger
then moved to amend by increasing
the needle rate from 20 to 80 per cent.
This was lost, AZ to ~ All the pro-
gressive republicans except Norris and
Bristow voting for II.
The committee rate Of 20 per cent
finally was sustained. 80 to 2s, no re-
publican voting with the democrats.
This was one of the few strict party
votes since voting on the schedules be-
gan.
Senator Penrose protested against the
proposed rate Of Is per cent on rail-
way wheels The manufacturers. he
III. q
pete with European manufacturers,
with any reductions of the present rate.
The senator said. however. that it was
useless to offer any amendment and
did not do so. Senator sherman of Illi-
nos also protested against this rate.