The Washington times., 1913-04-25
MOORE HITS TARIFF
WITHCATECHISM
Clerk of House Reads Questions to Pennsylvania Congress
man. Who Denounces Underwood Wilson Bill in Scathnq
Terms-CaIs His Speech Tariff Primer.

With the aid of the reading clerk.
Congressman ]. Hampton Moore,
Pennsylvania Republican. found a new
way to deliver a tariff speech in the
House today. Mr.. Moore conducted
tariff "catechism,'' by having the
House clerk read questions which the
member had prepared in advance ard
which were then answered by Moore
from the floor
The catechism began when the clerk
asked:
when was the first tariff act
passed?''
Congressman Moore answered from
the floor that the first tariff bill was
passed in 1879. and was regarded as an
American declaration Of commercial in
dependence. The questions and answers
then took tariff legislation step by
step up to the Underwood bill, which
was roasted by Mr.. Moore in his
answers to the House interlocutor.
Moore called his speech a tariff
primer" and the spectacle presented
when the clerk began to fire questions
at Mr.. Moore from the reading desk
was without precedent in the House.
CONGRESSMAN Moore explained that he
took this unusual method of speech
making following the stop, look. and
listen" example of President wilson.
who, a few days ago. addressed the
House on the tariff issue. The Presi-
dents act. said Mr.. Moore, caused the
country to ask about the tariff, and for
the good Of the uninitiated. Moore said
he would get The clerk to ask certain
questions, which he, Moore, would
answer.
Critical Throughout.
Congressman Moore's answers to the
questions propounded at his suggestion
were critical throughout of the Demo-
cratic tariff bill.
why was the Payne bill passed %
Moore was asked.
Because the Democrats were con-
tinually misrepresenting the tariff Ques-
tion," said Pupil Moore.
Did the Payne bill revise to ahrin
1T did, and equalized many duties"
IF the people enjoyed such wonderful
progress under the Payne law, why did
they complain"
They listened to ambitious politicians.
agitators without conscience. 5ournalis-
tic organs with axes to grind, magazines
seeking pap, essay1sts who found 1t
more profitable to write fiction than to
work, theoretical college professors.
non-producers, and few sincere re-
formers usually misinformed and fire.
quently misled." answered Moore.
The clerk asked Moore what was
meant by the Wilson Underwood bill.
THE bill introduced by Chairman Un-
derwood, exponent in the House Of the
theories of President Wilson, was
Moore's slap at the new Administration. ,
Hits Cleveland.
During the series Of questions. Con-
gresham Moore got in shot at the
distressing consequences Of Demo-
cratic power In the sYs which were fol-
lowed by q return to Republicanism and /,
the enactment Of the Dinsley law. Tho
of the country. he answered.
had thrived both under the Dingley and
Payne laws, but many Of them would be
wrecked under the Underwood bill.
Mr.. Moore declared that President
Wilson favored the breaking up of in
dustrial establishments II they cannot
operate on equal terms with those
abroad. Tho next question was then
read:
from Alabama Endorsed the views OF
President Wilson,"
I'm shaping his tariff bill 30 as to
discourage American enterprise and In
dustry and encourage foreign compe-
tition to the end that cheaper goods
shall be supplied. though their wages
be lowered and their employment taken
away. The Underwood bill threatens
the destruction Of the sugar industry
in the United States menaces the cot
ton and wool Industries, and, while ad-
mittedly destroying 000Oo. 900 worth OF
revenue collected at the customs
houses from importers Of foreign COM
modities, attempts to make up that de-
fciency by an income tax levied d.