The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-12-24
Many Democrats In
Congress Turn Tail
On Issue Of Tariff
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Copyright by The IntelitSencer

Washington. D. c., Dec. 23.-Abnormal
economic conditions are producing ap-
normal political divisions everywhere
but The attitude Of the Democrats to,
|, ward the emergency tariff hill passed
tonight by the House Of Representa-
tires - the most significant thing that
has happened since III" political UNI
haavAi which the country experienced
at the polls last November.
Informally canvaSsing the Democrats
IN the House. the leaders found row
days ago that many Of them were get
ting ready To vote for the Fordne!
tariff bill. and this too in spite of the
fact that the wool schedule IS much
higher tnan the famous schedule i:
which President Taft finally admitted
was "indefensihlc."
Democratic leaders began % reason
with their brethren and found out that
fear ct the farmers and the cattle
raissrs was at the bottom Of the pro-
tectionist feeling Of the Democrats who
we're not afraid Of Republican opposi-
ton. but the prospect that protection
ist Democrats might arise in the next
primaries to contest their. seats. The
Democratic leaders found that the
Democratic rank and filc had been per-
Suaded to believe that they would not
he held TO task by low tariff Demo-
cratic constituents for voting for an
tho conferences. however, was con-
siderable return 20 the original Demo-
cratic position on inc TARIFF and there
were not as many Democratic votes
for the Fordney bill rs IL seemed Mt
first. The vote, however. was Surpris-
ing.
The contention OF the Democratic
leaders Is that Il Democrat votes for
tho principle OF protection IN an cmcr-
gcncy measure. he will find II difficult
TO oppose the tariff measures which the
Republicans will unduestionahly offer
as a permanent policy when tho extra
, session ot Congress has been con-
vcned.
How. II Is asked. can n Democrat re-
verse himself when The real tariff bills
are before him next spring. Accord
! tngly many Democrats especially those
in the Senate. ar" announcing that they
will bitterly oppoS" tn" Furdn"y bill
when II reaches tn" Upper House and
that they will insist on thorough dis
cuSsion and considerable debate. Demo.
Gratis. however. will l." found support
I ing the bill Senator's Ransdcll AND
: Gay OF Louisiana RS we'll as some West
cattle raiS"rS are "lamoriuE for tariff
{ protection 70 stop tn" fall in tho price
~ pool. will form 2 sturdy Goa iit0u
/ which will assist the Repuhl'rans ma.
! tho Senate. Southern Democrats Nrf
! inclined 20 limo up against IN" NJ MS.
, urc together with some Eastern Re-.
! puhlicans IN tn" Senate In whose Sta;cs
| ar" manufacturing concerns Who want
! foreign markets and fear disturbance
! to trade &c r"taliatory tariff wars ARE
! begun.
! Senator Oscar I-ndcr;vn'I 90 Ala.
! hamp. wa" knows the tariff question
! from "a" - -" because 81 imt part he
! PLAYED in framing tho present tarin
laws when H. was 4 member OF The
. House. Is expected back here in Il day
! or two and Will consult with Senator
Simmons and ntacr Democratic leaders
! concerning a party policy.
Moreover the Democratic ranks In
= Congress which show signs every nov
and then Of going t. pieces on party
| policies are apt 10 be strengthened
when the party conferences have beer
! held after the first of the year.
! Tho whole tariff effort in inc pres.
; cnt session Is regarded By many Demo.
Gratis as shrcwd effort on the part OF
Republicans like Senator Warren OF
: Wyoming who represents cattle rails.
: ing state 70 lay the foundations for A
: high tariff in the extra session OF Con,
! Grrss figuring that even President Har,
! ding will not be able to oppose the in.
position Of tariff duties. that have al.
ready passed 4 Congress in which r..
, publican mnjnrrti'S ar" slender com.
! pared to the overwhelming strength OF
: the new Congress-