Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-08-13
TOBACCO TRUST.
Not Dissolved But More
MonopoIisiic Than Ever,
So Declares Sen. Hitchcock
Attacking Tobacco Schedule.
Agricultural Schedule Of Tariff 90.
oupiss Good Part Of Day.

Washington, Aug. 12.-That the to-
.bacco trust. instead of being dissolve
by the decree of the supreme court
of the United States has increased its
monopolistic control of tobacco manu-
facturers. was asserted in the Senate,
today, by Senator Hitchcock of Ne
braska. in discussing the tobacco
schedule of the tariff bill.
announcing that he intended later
to press his amendment to the tariff
bill. which would place graduated
income tax on tobacco production,
Senator Hitchcock. who bolted the
Democratic party caucus on the tariff
said he intended also to discuss the
propriety Of that caucus in restrain
ing its members from supporting his
amendment.
It wish to call attention. the SEN
ator said. Ito the restrain and mono
poly exercised by a few great manu-
featuring concerns over the tobacco
production of this country l propose
to show that four great concerns
divided by the decree of the supreme
court now owned by the same stock
holders. and operating in close accord,
exercise a greater monopoly In tohac-s
co trade than ever before" Reading
by statistics furnished by the secre
tary OF the treasury, he declared that
these four concerns manufactured,
last year. Tx per cent. of all the to-
bacco manufactured in the United
States; that three OF them manufac-
tured 80 per cent. of all the small
cigars, and three s5a per cent of all
the cigarettes.
IF the American people are in
. earnest. and / believe they are he
added. they want this monopoly
curbed. If the. United States is in
earnest it ought not to permit any
rule of party caucus to restrain a
senator from voting for a measure
that for measure that will put a
stop to this defiance of judicial de-
cree. and restore a condition of COM
petition in the world in tobacco manu-
facturers.'
The tobacco schedule was approved
by the Senate without amendment
the metal schedule was completed
with the exception of some para
graphs which the finance committee
had passed for further consideration
and the sugar schedule was passed
over because of the illness of Senator
Ransdell Of Louisiana. Then debate
was begun on the agricultural sched-
ule, one of the section most vigorously
assailed by the senators OF the min
GRITTY.
Senator Gronna Of North Dakota
opened this discussion and proposed ir
lieu of free listing cattle. rate of 81. 81
head on cattle less than a year old
30 head on cattle valued at not more
than $14 and 20 per cent. ad valorem or
| cattle valued at more than $li Sena.
| Tor Lane OF oregon said the principa
reason for free listing cattle was that
there were not sufficient cattle in thi.
| country to supply the domestic demand
| The committee amendment free list.
ing cattle was sustained, 3S to II. Sen
| ator Thornton of Louisiana votint
with the Republicans, against tn,
| amendment. This was the first time
| Democrat had voted against the par
| ~ amendments. All the Progressiv,
! Republicans voted against free cattle
| Senator Gronna also sought to in
| crease the rate on horses and mules
| from 10 per cent. ad valorem to 500
l ne1u IL NaluPQ nj xZth or less, ana z
, per cent. advalorem If valued at NOR
| than $500 a head. This was rejected
| 81 to 20. Senator Thornton still votini
| with the minority.
Senator Catron of New Mexico op
| posed free sheep, offering an amend
: ment placing tariff of so cents a hea
on sheen less than one year cid an
! 81 per head on sheep over one yea
| old. This was rejected. 80 to 81, an
| the committee amendment free listin
| sheep agreed to.
Senator Thornton. voting with til
1 Republicans again, indicated that h
| would oppose the entire agriculture
! schedule.
i An amendment by Senator Gronna t
! put buckwheat on the dutiablc list a
Is cents q bushel and buckwheat fiou
at 80 cents a hundred pounds, also wa
i rejected 81 TO 80 s7s
Another amendment to put tariff c
SO ton on broom corn met smila
| fate ~ @ssa. 'tfe ea-4
RI The Doth Dakota senator also pro
posee to increase the duty on oat:
from 6 cents to 10 cents a bushel; GA
meal, from 80 cents to q cents a hun
dred weight; oat feed, from nine cent
To Is cents per hundred. Action on thes
rates was deferred until Tomorrow.
5