Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-04-01

WASHINGTON. ID. c., March L..
Leader Kitchin of the Democratic ma.
jority in the House of Representatives
assumed the role of leadership to-
day for the first time since he was
elevated 10 the office.
The rebel yell'' reYerberated
through the house. punctuated by the
beloved "Whoopee!" of the South.
that reflected the qualification OF the
majority that their titufar leader had
become leader in fact Mr. Kitch-
. ms action went a long way toward
dissipating the unpopularity which
had been provoked by his evasion of
the responsibilities OF the leadership.
In a speech made notable by a
broad vein Of satire and fascinating
in its redundancy of ante-bellum idi-
oms, he rallied his forces to the sup
port OF the bill continuing the duty
OF I per cent on sugar which would
have otherwise expired on May 1.
Passed by 346 to IA.
He made a good showing against
such seasoned Republican warriors as
Uncle Joe" Cannon, Minority Leader
Mann and Fordney, the reactionary
bell-wether from Michigan. The bill
was passed by vote Of 346 to IA.
OF the negative votes .13 we're cast
by Democrats and one by Socialist
Meyer London of New York. The
. Democrats voting against the bill
were Bailey OF Pennsylvania, Buchan-
an, McAndrews, SABBATH and Tavenner
of Illinois. Galloway of Texas, Crosser
and Gordon of Ohio, Hilliard Of Colo
RADIO, Howard of Georgia, Johnson of
Kentucky, Thompson of Oklahoma,
and Van Dyke of Minnesota OF the
number that voted for the bill 179
were Democrats and 167 Republicans.
The bill is the first amendment to
the Underwood Simmons Tariff Law
and is designed to Insure to the gov
eminent a continuation of the reve-
nue. from the duty on sugar now APP
proximating $50,000,000 a year. The
debate was almost as important from
q political standpoint as that which
characterized the fight over the Nc
Lemore resolution warning Americans
to stay off armed merchant ships and
seeking 70 deprive the President of
hts control of foreign affairs
II was even more notable because
for the. first time in the history OF
the present. Congress 1t instanced the
cohesion Of Democratic forces In sup
port of Democratic legislative
undertaking. The result of the
sharp and at times brilliant cross-fire
of arguments between the rival polit-
zeal forces was to dissipate most, II
not all, Of the unpleasant party feel
ing that has existed since the begin
ming Of the session.
Even Speaker Clark, who has per-
severed in a display of indifference
toward the recommendations of the
administration, evidenced his support
of the measure which brought Mr. Kit
chen into his own. The speaker did
not join in the debate. though he left
the chair and took seat on the floor
ready to do so If his good offices
should be needed.
Senator Underwood, the Trainer of
the tariff bill which his own party
amended today, and Senator Simmons,
chairman of the finance committee,
to which the amendment win go, were
interested auditors to the debate and
assisted Mr.. Kitchin with information
that he used to advantage in leading
the attacks on the Republicans.
"uncie Joe" Foxes Fun.
A conference between Senator Sim
mons and Mr.. KitchiE preceded the
debate. and 1t is understood the house.