Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-12-08

A detailed poll of Congress conduct
ed recently by Washington cores
pondent resulted in the disclosure Of
; a strong sentiment to retain the pre-
sent duty on sugar. The result of the
poll, taken few days before Con-
gress opened, is thus given In a re-.
cent issue OF the Boston Transcript:
washington, Nov. 2S.--congress
probably will continue the existing
duties upon sugar. This is indicated
by a poll Of Congress on the question
of adopting the administrations pro-
posed recommendation The Under
wood tariff law of 1919, approved by
President Wilson, reduced the rates
OF duty on sugar by 25 per cent after
March /, 1914, and provided for the.
free admission of the product after
May I, 1916. II was expected by the
Democrats that the effect of the re-
auction and eventual abolition of the
duty would result in a lower price to
the consumer. But that expectation
did not come to pass, the treasury suf-
fered loss of revenue without any
compensation to the people, and the
voters of Louisiana expressed their
resentment by eiecting Progressive
as a member of the House.
Solely, It is claimed, because Of
the need of revenue In these abnor-.
NAL times. and not as confession of
the failure of the Democratic tariff
law, the administration recently an
nounced its purpose to recommend to
Congress the continuance of the pre-
sent duty on sugar. To ascertain.
whether the administration would be.
supported by Congress in this measure
each member Of the Senate and House
was asked the following question:
Do you favor the continuance Of
the duty on sugar.
sAs to be expected, the Republicans
were practically unanimous in ex,
pressing the view that the tax should
not be removed next May. Indeed,
some Of them want to 20 back to the
old Aldrich rates, ostensibly because
of the condition Of the treasury, but
really to yindicate the policy of their.
party. The majority of the Demo
Gratis, many of whom voted for the re-
duction and eventual abolition of the
sugar duty, responded that they were
willing to support bill keeping the
existing duties in force.
"A very small number indicated
purpose not to join in this movement
A few announced they were in favor
of an increase in the tax.
Among the Democratic senators
who replied they would vote for a
resolution continuing the present SUI
gar rates are Fletcher of Florida,
Walsh and Myers of Montana, Mar
tine of New Jersey, Chamberlain of
Oregon and Williams of Mississippi.
Senator Thomas of Colorado said he
would favor change in the present
law only If we can get along without
the duty
Most of the Democratic congress
men from the Northern as well as the
Southern states want the sugar duty
&c continue. The few who registered
their opposition to any change from
the policy laid down in the Underwood
law are Gallivan OF Massachusetts,
Stephens and Witherspoon of Mississ-
ippi, Goodwin of North Carolina, Geor-
don of Ohio, Bailey of Pennsylvania,
Sims of Tennessee and Hardy of Tex.
as. A Democratic caucus will be held
on this matter and practically all the
Democratic members of the two hous-
es may be expected to support the
proposed measure.
THE Republicans and Progressives
do not conceal their satisfaction with
the purpose of the Democratic admin
istration as indicated by some of their
replies.
Mr.. Greene of Massachusetts says:
I think it necessity to save the ma
tional administration from bankrupt.
cy.' Mr., Stephens, Progressive, of
California, SAYS he is for the former
duty on sugar
Most of the Republicans and Demo
Gratis answer with direct "Yes" or
NO" but as stated there is no ques-
ton that bill continuing a duty on
sugar will pass both houses.
The Republicans in the House, aid
ed by the Louisiana and other Demo
Gratis, may endeavor to restore the
old Aldrich rates, but the large ma
jority the Democracy has in the Sem
ate assures the enactment of a mea-
sure along lines which will meet
President Wilson's approval"
Zone of the congressman opposing
retention of the duty was Wither-
spoon of Mississippi, who has since
died.
In spite of the rapidity of the move
ment, there is no slackening of the ad.
Uy,av Vn,,r Eyo. MI o.