The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-05
OF TARIFF
ON PROSPERITY OF
COUNTRY DISCUSSED
Democrats and Republicans
Argue Proposed Law
From Opposite
Viewpoints

Washington. August 4-Demoerats and
republicans Of the Senate today fenced
over prosperity and the business outlook
discussed the wooden tariff schedule at
length and made some progress on the
regular metal schedules.
Colloquies over the probable effect of
the pending tariff arose when Senator
Stone Of Missouri read into the record
quotations rrom raershants sAad manu-
faeturers stating that the industrial out
look was very favorable despite the pro-
posed tariff reductions.
Senator Galhnger expressed assurance
that present prosperity was due to re-
publican policies and not to coming demo-
cratic laws. and also that history would
repeat itself and depressing times come.
Senator Williams addressing the repub-
hcans, asked why if they were so certain
of the result they did not cease demur-
ring and let the bill go to the country
for a test.
Continue to Demur
I'VE shall continue to demur, said Sem
ator Gallinger, until we nave made a
record that perhaps may benefit the peo-
pie in understanding the situation when
the effect of this bill is felt.
Senator Myers Of Montana in lengthy
analysis OF the wool schedule declared
the people Of his part of the west favored
free raw wool. and that century of
had failed utterly to aid the
wool industry of this country
His sppprh led "a general discussion
of shoddy and wool. participated in by
Senators Warren and Smoot for the re-
puhlicans and Senators Myers, Walsh and
MARITIME for the democrats
When the regular metal schedules was
taken in hand with Senator Stone in
charge, Senator Cumnlins of Iowa submits
ted a substitute which transferred to the
dutable list many free listed articles in
the Underwood Simmons bill. notably pig
iron and blast furnace products.
Senator Oliver of Pennsylvania opened
discussion of the metal schedule, ques-
lloning the wisdom OF the Senate finance
committee in putting pig iron on the free
list. The senator said he did not have
much hope of amending the bill, because
the democrats seemed to have deter
mined to pass it as it stands, although
small manufacturers We're dependent upon
a protective tariff to manufacture pig
iron. In Pennsylvania, he added, there
were 10 blast furnaces, only AZ of which
were controlled by the United States Steel
corporation.
Fear New Competitor
A new competitor of the United States
in the steel trade more to be feared than
all Others the senator said. was China,
which was already supplying much of
the pig iron now used on the Pacific
coast
Senator Cummins said there should be
reasonable protection for American pro-
ducers of pig iron and advocated duty
of about 81 ton. He thought the House
rate of per cent a little too high. Sena-
tor Smith of Michigan deprecated putting
iron on the free list just at time when
the ore mines of Cuba were being opened
up. thus depriying the government of
revenue which he said would naturally.
and easily flow into the Golfers of the
treasury.
Senator Thomas of the finance commit
tee majority declared that pig iron pro-
duced in this country last year was valued
at $l5,000.000 and that the imports were
negligible, less than 100000 tons. AS to
the Chinese pig iron, Senator Thomas
said there was no present prospect of
serious competition.