The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-01

Washington, April s0.--CspeciaL)--
Representative Aaron 5. Kreider. re-
publican of Pennsylvania, precIpitate.i
stirring incident when he moved to
fertilizer reduce the rate ON hooks and
eyes used in the manufacture of shoes.
Representative A. Mitchell Palmer of
Pennsylvania, a democratic member of
the ways and means committee, in a sting
ing speech, declared that Mr. Kreider's in
terest was purely selfishness, he was
manufacturer of shoes and president of
the National Boot and Shoe Manufac-
turers' association of the United States
Representative James r. Mann of Illi-
nois, the republican floor leader. retorted
that nobody could criticise Mr.. Kreder
for showing an interest in "a article
liz 'glira - r e,fsNR tterested
since Mr.. Underwood. author of the pend
ing bill, was largely interested in the
iron and steel industry in his home city.
On Feet in Instant
Mr.. Underwood was on his feet in an
instant. lie told the House that iron. ore
and coal, the greatest products of his
district, were free listed In the BILL He
said; "rhe only business in which | am
interested is the pig iron business, and
the iron and steel business in my own
district. There is not an item in it that
has not been reduced in this bill. So far
as the Birmingham district is concerned
its great iron supply has been put upon
The free list for the benefit of the coun-
try generally. The coal that 1t produces
has gone on the free list. The greatest
manufacturing plant in the district is a
steel rail mill and rails have gone, too,
on the free list, because the industry is
controlled by a monopoly. The next great
est plant in the district is a wire plant
and a part of their product has gone on
the free list.
II do not mean to say I would have
advocated putting these articles on the
free list if | thought they would bear
a revenue tax. The items in this bill
that | am most interested is pig iron,
and although the gentleman from New
York (Nlr. Payne) cut the rate from 81 TO
$3.50 ton in his bill, this bill cuts it from
$500 specific to per cent ad yalorem
which at $15 ton would mean only 81. 20
duty, or a further cut of 80 per cent.
IF | could not represent my constitu-
ency and at the same time represent the
people of the United States, without
feeling | had to be a special peader for
interests that happen to be located in
my district ] would be unworthy to
occupy the position I hold in this House,
on 10,
the great democratic party.
No Question of Motive
II do not question the gentlemans mo-
tive in this case, bu01 contend this, that
when the representatives of the aneri-
can people stand in this House and exer-
else the taxing power. the power to lay
en- the peoples backs burdens of taxa
tion, at least it is not becoming for gem
tlemen to display selfish interest.
The time has passed when the laws
of this country shall longer be written
for special interests when men may come
TO this Congress and ask for legislation
that shall convert the dollar from the
pockets of the American people into their
own pockets Loud applause on the
democratic side greeted this speech
Mr.. Underwood showed that he was
deeply moved. Mr.. Mann did net reply.
except to say that he had not intended
TO question the motives of the democratic
leader.
Washington. April 30.--''I think we'll
finish with the tariff bill in the House
by Saturday night said Democratic
Leader Underwood tonight after an all
day debate on the iron and steel schedule.
The metal schedule is only the third
of the "a schedules which are followed
by the free list. the technicalities of the
administrative provisions and the income
tax plan and many of the members of
the House are prepared to see the debate
stretch into next week Representative
Gardner OF Massachusetts,, one of the re-
publican members OF the ways and means
committee, figured on the passage of the
revision measure about next Tuesday
night. But Mr., Underwood, smiling and
confident. saw nothing to disturb the
plan for shifting the scene of the tariff
battle to the Senate with the opening
of next week.
No Special Rule Needed
The democratic leader does not believe
Ia special rule will be necessary to put the
! bill through. The plan is to have the
measure adopted within an hour after
the reading for amendments has been
concluded.
All day and again tonight democrats
ibowled over amendments proposed Dy re-
IpublicaIs and progressive The WAYS and
Soentlnned - Psne Eisvssg,