The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
SOUTHERNERS ARE AROUSED BY THREAT Gardner Says South's Policy Is to Make North Pay
 For Everything
REPRESENTATION TO
 BE CUFFS THREAT

Washington, Februn.ry 4.--(speciaL) Even if war and rumors of war do cleo trify nation, there is always a lively debate when two great laities discuss 5 revenue measure. Therefore, inasmuch as the House has just enacted a bill call culated to gather shekels enough to re- plensh depleted treasury, it goes with out saying that Congress has recently relieved its monotony by an extended orgy of merrymaking.
 MT. Kitchin. in the beginning of the fight, blundered to the extent of telling democrats in caucus that there was no need of their opposing the bill because it's burdens would fall chiefly on those who unfortunately have their dwellings above the Mason-Dixon line Later, when this utterance became public prop erty the democratic leader explained. ''The north" said he, ''reaped all the harvest of gold and silver when the na- SAOAA uAoOi WSAiS bAiO PlCP1lSulcoS llldtlld. It is right. therefore, that the north, having profited. pay for its fun."
 THREAT OF SECESSION
 It was the old story in which the in- dividual who danced was expected to pay the piper. And. of course, MT. Kitchin was correct. But he gave the northern CTS their opportunity, and they made the air blue with abolition oratory and other subjects calculated to make sober men dwell too long on sectionalism.
 As a matter of fact, MT. Gardner of Massachusetts, a restless member who, when times are dull, generally says or does something which contributes to tEe gayety of the nation, exclaimed that if the southern democrats did not abandon their policy of making the north pay for everything, the north would force re- duction in the representation of the southern states. Thereupon, Mr. Howard of Georgia declared in perfervid utter- ance emphasized by many and spectacu- lar gestures, that if the north ever att tempted such task the south would again secede from the union. One in inl- agination then saw another Bull Run. another Fredericksburg, another Chan burg and Appomattox,
 The Georgian, continuing his address, declared that if there was another civil war, there would be something doing every moment of the day, to which "Cy- clone'' Davis of Texas expressed a sol- emn Amen" He might have said with truth, God bless you.'
 FORDNEY IS FUNNY
 Of course, the republicans had fine opportunity. For were not the demo- crats, after four years of unparalleled extravaganza, hunting new roads to rich revenue? MT. Fordney, ranking minority member of the ways and means com mittee, and a man with ambition to pre- side over that very strong committee of the House, was unusually bitter. In att tempting to size up the situation. he said:
 'Verily, the way of free trade is griev- ous taxes, and the end of democracy is debt.
 Early in this administration, business men were told that if they failed or their business course made any trouble, they would be hanged as high as Haman.' Now they are told that if they succeed they will be hamstrung by taxation. I have heard of man between the devil and the deep sea, but that position was not a circumstance compared to the busi- ness mans position between Wilson and Kitchin'
 STRANGE BATTLE CRY
 That. for a beginning, was not very bad. But he followed with even stronger stuff.
 Said he.
 "The battle cry of this majority seems in it's dying day to be made good: 'Abas la surplus; viva la debt; sHoch der deficit; long live der bond ? But the democrats passed the bill, and President Wilson will sign it. There will be another gala day when next the House discusses revenue.
 PLANS INCOMPLETE
 FOR DEPARTURE OF COUNT BERNSTORFF