The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-09-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.

In the first interview he has given on
the Underwood Simmons tariff biif since
it was passed by the senate, Secretary of
State Bryan said that the revision of the
tariff will enable the people ofthe United
States to live better and cheaper, and
that it will have tendency to increase,
rather than decrease. the wages Of
American workers.
The secretary was emphatic in his de-
claration that the tariff revision will
benefit the country as whole. To the
threats of certain manufacturers that
wage reductions will follow the enact.
ment of the new law, Mr. Bryan made
this terse answer:
IF they could have reduced wages.
they would have done il long ago. They
do not pay wages as a matter of. charity,
but because they have to. If the re
duction of the tariff results 10 lower
prices, as it certainly will, 1t will create
demand for products, and this demand
will create demand for labor. The ten
dency will be to increase wages rather
than ecrease Them
Nv
Caucus rule and secrecy in the trans.
action of public business are certain TO
become campaign issues.
Congressman Sydney Anderson, of
Minnesota. who emphasized his protest
against the caucus and secret methods of
the Democrats, By resigning from the,
ways and means committee, continued
his fight by offering in the house reso-
luton providing for an invest CATION of
those methods to determine If members
are deprived of their rights and prevent.
ed from serving their constituents. The
resolution calls for the appointment Of a
committee of nine TO conduct the in,
vestigation.
Mr.. Anderson does not expect the reso-
linton to he adopted. bnt be does expect
i to force discussion of present legis-
lative proceedings and the evil of cancus
domination and secrecy in these pro-.
lceedings
With the tariff bill being competed and
the administration currency bill under
way in the House the present week in
Congress promises marked progress to-
ward the inscribink on the statute books
the legislation passed by President Will
son.
The Senate and House conierees settl.
ing points in the tariff bill 10 disagree
inert betwe. n the two houses have made
much progress. Senator Simmons and
Representative Underwood are confident
that iae week viii see all difficulties set
tied. aud little difficulty is expected in
securing the adoption of the conference
report.
The House this week will take up the
currency bill in detail. Republicans and
Progressives set forth at great length last
week their objections to the measure, and
the De nocrats entered their answers.
With the grist Of argument out of the
way The measure now will be taken up
for amendment, and. althousi the ap
proval of the Democratic caucus is ex-
pecied to prevent any charges, various
attempts win b made to alter provisions
most bitterly attacked.
Members of both houses make no con-
cealmeut of their fatigue from the pro-
louged session. Those upon the Finance
aud Ways and Means Committees met
their followers from the House on the
last Legislative step Of the tariff bills
marca after grind of debate that has
seldom been equaled.
The House. while the Se1ate Is dissec-
ting its idea of currency reform, may
make an arrangement for recess and a
va alton. but for senators life in Con.
gress now has nothing in sight hut work.
aud holiday at Christmas may be the
first long breathing spell.
~
Col n n O~2is..