The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1913-04-11
Subject Generally Dull, Now
Is Interesting.
PRESENT BILL A SURPRISE.
Most Persons Considering Matter
Thought Provisions Would Go No
Further Than Bills Of Last Congress.
Free Wool, Steel Rails and AgrieuI.
turaI Products Are Startling.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, April 10.-[Special.l-
The new Democratic tariff will not be
enacted into law until after a very in
teresting session. Generally tariff dis
cussions are rather dull, but when they
are devoted to bills which are making
important changes in tariff rates the
talk becomes more interesting. 1t be-
comes apparent that the men in charge
Of tariff making are not going to per-
NIT any make believe" tariff reduc-
tons, but that there will be real cuts
I'm customs duties.
revise the tariff about twenty years
ago there was group of men in the
senate who would not permit such re-
auctions on certain articles as the
house Democrats and President Cleve-
land wanted. but there is no such
group now. At least it is not strong
enough to assert itself and hold up the
bill which the house may pass.
Something Of Surprise.
The tariff bill is something Of sur
prise to a great many persons. They
had no idea that the reductions would
60 further than the bills Of the last
congress-, and scarcely any one be-
lieved that free sugar would be in
cluded in the program. To add free
wool, steel rails and most Of the ag-
ricultural products to the free list is
going much further than was antici-
pated by many persons who believed
that the Democrats would at first try
mild revision.
It was asserted that the tariff bills
Of the last congress were largely for
''show'' purposes and that when the
Democrats came into power they would
not 90 80 far as those bills indicated.
Now that they have gone further there
IL a deal Of uneasiness among the ar
dent friends of protection.
Benefits Of q Running Sore.
Former Senator Carter once remark
ed that 1t was a good thing to keep
the Philippine Islands. even If they
were somewhat expensive, as there
would be more or less trouble over
them and that 1t would take the at
tention Of the American people from
little and fancied troubles at home.
Though nothing Of particular inter-
est was going on in this country, all
eyes were focused on Mexico, and glib
talk of invasion was going about.
Then came the cyclones and the big
floods, and Mexico became Of no more
Importance than a white check in
faro game. The big trouble. the big
sore spot, according to Garter. was
what attracted people and kept them
interested.
Maryland Distracted.
John Walter Smith Of Maryland Sc
lected as a part Of the patronage to
which he was entitled as Democrat.
ic senator q man who had formerly
kept q saloon in Baltimore. At once
Maryland Democracy was ''all torn
up." There is a faction of the Demo
cratic party in Maryland which may
be denominated as rather aristocratic.
often called the "highbrows."
Well, 1t is this faction that is max
ing the protest against Senator Smiths
selection Of a senate messenger, even
going to the extent of writing Presi-
dent Wilson on the subject. fractional
politics In Maryland are always inter-
, esting, but more especially when there
Is a senatorial election coming along.
Subjects Of Discussion.
In case any or all Of the questions
which have been suggested are to be
considered it would be better for them
to be taken up and discussed during
the extra session, when there is plenty
Of time, rather than attempt to rush
them through in the short session Of
three months.
Bourne 10 Busy.
Because his name is of the payroll
has not made any particular difference
to Jonathan Bourne. He is working
Just as hard as when he was senator.
He is working out problem relating
to railway mail pay which he thinks
will be fair to the government and the
roads.
He also has a plan for adjusting Sec
ond class mail rates, and as the head
Of another commission he expects to
solve the good roads problem with
government aid. All that Is "going
some" for an ex-senator working for
the government without pay.
Want Committees.
} Most Of the members would like to
have the committee assignments made
in order that they may have some
thing to do while the long tariff dis
cussion Is going on No doubt the
house members could stand It while
the bill Is considered In that body, but
the time which the senate will con-
sumo is sure to drag heavily on MEM
bers Of the house unless there is q
general understanding that they can
go home and leave the house without
a working quorum. .f1
But there are many things that the
active members want to do. and they
are likely to insist that the committees
be set to work.