The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-12-24
TARIFF BILL PASSED
DESPITE: MINORITY

FINAL VOTE, Al DEMOCRATS L.
COMBINE WITH 154 REPUBLI-
CANS IN PASSAGE.
Washington, Dec. 23.-Over the
protests of a defiant minority, the
house tonight adopted the Fordney
emergency tariff bill by a vote of
1876 to sc. The vote was. taken at
8:45 o'clock after eight hours of de-
bate.
Political Gnes were swept aside on
the final vote, Al Democrats and one.
Prohibitionist combining with 154
Republicans in supporting the meas
ure while IA Republicans lined up:
with " Democrats against the bill.
1t was evident tonight before the
vote was taken chat supporters :, Of
the measure designed to protect
some 20 odd farm products for a ten
months period had the situation we'll
in hand. But Representative Henry
T. Rainey, Democrat, Illinois, lead
ing the opposition, opened a. bitter
attack which increased in intensity.
as the debate wore on. BE. ..
Pafagraph-by paragraph, he as
sailed the measure while the Repub-
licans with loud roars of "noes" sent
his. proposed amendments down ~. to.
defeat. "A few Republicans supported
him in his attack but a score of his
own party turned from their tradi-
tional stand against high tar.tf to
join the majority.
Opposition speakers charged that
The measure would send the cost of
living higher and branded it as class
legislation. Defenders of the bill on
the other hand said it would save
the agricultural industry.
Very Hastily Drawn.
Chairman Fordney of the ways and
means committee which reported the
measure in opening debate declared
the measure was not scientific and
admitted it was hastily drawn, but
asserted that it was the best that
could be had at this time. Z.
Representative Gardner, Texas
speaking in support of this bill, said
he felt it was the only way in which
congress could extend the relief so
needed by the farmers.
Representative Madden, Republi-
can,, Illinois, however, assailed his
colleagues for opposing the way to
a renewal of prohibitive living
COSTS" Pointing his finger at the
majority leaders desk, he said:
"You men will make two lamb
chops cost $1.30 again and you will
make our suits of clothes cost 100
per cent more"
Representative Garrett of Tennes-
see said he saw sin this bill de-
termined effort to divide the Demo-
cratic party, to make members of
that party turn their backs on every
principle of taxation for which the
party has. stood in its whole his
tory"
81 can not believe the Republican
leaders seriously hope to get this bill
passed." he added. 81 am convinced
it is fine piece of political strategy.
In his attempts at amendment Mr..
Rainey sought to show that the bill
in the most part carried higher rates
than the Payne-Aldrich tariff. He
also warned of retaliatory tariffs and
emtargoes by other nations.
In this connection an amendment
by Representative Olney, Democrat,
Massachusetts,, to admit wool in
transit from Australia and South
America at the time of passage of
the measure at prevailing rates Of
duty was voted down.
Blow to Manufacturing
Representative Walsh, Republican,
in opposing the rate
Of seven cents a pound on cotton
said the cotton indus
Try of New England were at stand
till now, and predicted that an ad-
!itional duty would result in further
unemployment through the abandon
nent of plans to reopen mills.