Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-25
When Democratic Members of
Ways and Means Committee
Learn of Republican Plan
They Leave Room in a Huff.
ASSURE PROTECTION OF
DYE STUFFS AND POTASH
Plan Discussed for Protection
of Nebraska Interest by
Emergency Legislation Con-
tanning License Clause.
Bv E. c. SNYDER.

(StaH Correspondent Of The Omaha Bee.)
Washington, July "a, washington
Bureau, Omaha Bee. .)-There was a
dramatic scene enacted in the ways
and means committee room Thurs
day morning when Chairman Ford
ney informed the members of the
committee that it had been de-
termined by the republican members
to report amendments to the present
tariff law without regard to the
licensing features that some of the
members were insisting upon. When
the democrats were told that a re-
vision of the tariff was in the air
they walked out of the room insist
ing that the license feature should
be made part of any general legis-
lation.
Before the democrats departed
Chairman Fordney intimated that
emergency legislation on dyestuffs
and potash would probably contain
a license clause, but that they might
expect tariff amendments without
this feature, as the needs of the
country demanded a speedy change
in tariff legislation.
Begin Discussion.
After the unceremonious leaving
of the democrats the republican
members began a serious discussion
of bills to protect dyestuffs and
potash with the licensing feature up
permost. Representative Moore of
Pennsylvania lead the opposition to
the licensing of foreign shipments
as a protection to domestic produc-
ers. After the subject had been dis
cussed at considerable length, Rep
resentative Green of Iowa made a
compromise motion to reduce the
license period to two years on dye
stuffs and potash. This motion re-
ceived strong support from Chair
man Ferdney, Representative Long
worth and others of the committee
but action was deferred until Friday
Congressman Green said after the
meeting and the dramatic exit of the
democrats that he had every reason
to believe that his motion will be
adopted at Fridays meeting and if
it is, the bills will be reported out
forthwith and action had on them
before the house takes recess,
which now seems certain to be
brought about early in August.
Potash Protection.
In view of the action of the
ways and means committee on the
potash situation it is interesting to
note that the entire house delega-
ion met in Judge Kinkaid's COM
mittee room in conference with
Messrs w. E. Sharp, T. E. Steph-
ems, and c. P. Craft, who are inter
ested in the production Of potash
in Nebraska and the whole legisla-
tive situation gone over as it affects
the potash output in the Sixth Ne
braska district and it was the con-
sensus of opinion that license pro-
vision in>the potash bill would save
| the domestic producer from ruin.
Asked if two-year license period
would be satisfactory to the Ne
braska producers, a member of the
delegation who attended the meet-
ing said it would be entirely salts
factory in his judgment.
To Lower Freight Rate.
w. E. Richardson, of Lakeside,
Neb.. who has been urging the
federal railroad administration to
lower the freight rate on potash
from Nebraska to eastern and
southern points, >was promised by
Traffic Director Chambers that a
reduction would be made, the exac,
amount Of which would be an
nounced next Tuesday.
Secretary Lane, who is urging
congress to enact the potash licens-
ing bill. has also taken an active
part in securing lower fir ght fates
for Nebraska and California pro.
ducers and wrote strong letter tc
the railroad administration urging
such reduction.
The Nebraska potash men ir
Washington feel hopeful of the out.
come of legislative action and are
I also greatly encouraged by informa
ton lately reaching them to the ef
feet that very little foreign potash
will probably reach this country be
fore winter.