The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-21
AGAINST PUBLIC HEARINGS.
UNDERWOOD TARIFF Bid WILL
BE REFERRED TO FINANCE
COMMITTEE FOR con.
sIDERATION.
Penross -IaFollette Amendment De-
feateti--Two Democrats Voting
with Republicans--Scnato Smoot
Predicts Downfall OF Democratic
Party Because OF TarifY Bin.

Washington, May 16.-Democratic
leaders In the senate were indorsed
late today I'm their determination to
refer the Underwood tariff bill to the
fiance committee for consideration
without public hearings. The Pen
rose-La toilette amendment directing
the public hearings be held was de-
feated by a vote OF IL TO sc and the
motion of Senator simmons to refer
the bill was then passed without a
roll call.
Two Democrats. Senators Ransdeli
and Thornton OF Louisiana. voted for
the Republican amendment Senator
Poindexter of Washington. a Progress
sive. voted with the majority. Senator
Jones OF Washington. a Republican,
who previously had determined to
vote against public hearings, an
nounced that he had changed his
mind because the finance subcommit-
tee were giving private hearings to
some interests which he thought
should be public.
The closing day of debate on the
issue OF hearings was enlivened with
discussion Of the Democratic platform
and Its bearing on fsce sugar.
Senator James OF Kentucky, who
vigorously. defended the stand taken
nv praaidant yyttao~ g.. e. z
declared that the party had stood for
free sugar and campaignet on 1t. and
defed the Louisiana senator's to find
a man whom President Wilson ever
had told he was opposed to free
sugar.
Senators Smoot. LaFollette and
Clark OF Wyoming wound up the de-
bate on behalf OF the public hearing
amendment. Senator Smoot predicting
that the Democratic party would be
Put out OF power for another quarter
OF a century as n result OF it's tariff
bill.
THE edlct has gone FORTH" said
Senator Clark. The real vote on this
tarin bill will be taken here as in the
house. where II was taken In secret
caucus know there are Democrats
here who do not believe the bill is just
and righteous altogether. who are
willing to bow the head 10 the de-
mand OF Office and ease the lash of
party expediency."
Senator Smoot declared that the
Democratic .hapdbook which he called
the Democratic "Sariff bible" was be-
ing largely relied upon by the finance
committee members and that much
OF the information was erroneous.
and IL followed would be absolutely
runious.'
He described how a manufacturer
had met an importer coming out of
one Of the subcommittee rooms and
described TO him an item on which
he thought there had been a mis-
take. The importer. Senator smoot
said. replied that there had been no
mistake because he wrote IL himself.
Senator Reed asked for the name OF
the importer. saying IL would be in
teresting to learn whether importers
were writing the bill.
Il haven't n doubt OF It," said Sem
s'or smoot. Give Us public hearings
and that can he found out"
Senator Smoot declared that Eng
land, Germany. France and every
other foreign country was rejoicing
over the Underwood bill. II have q
collection OF articles from all over
the world" he added. showing how
every foreign manufacturer Is prepar-
ing to enter the American market. 1t
means for every dollars worth Inn
ported American labor will be re-
duced"
Senator La Toilette favored open
hearings. he said. because IL was of
the greatest importance that the
widest publicity be given tarlff sub
jects.
DelieVe all let islative business
is public business" said Mr.. La Fol-
lette. II think even the doors OF ,he
caucus OF the two great political par
ties or Of all political parties should
stand open"
Chairman Simmons announced that
" the senate decided against open
h'arings the question submitted by
ham Co be- asked manufacturers would
be sent out to all parties who had
lied briefs or appeared before the
Democrats OF the flance commbSec.
Answers to the question would be
asked, he said.
Senator Newland resumed his
speech after the vote and closed with
"A warning To the Democratic party.