The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1920-12-28
TARIFF RELIEF FOR
FARMERS SEEMS LOST
DEMOCRATIC STEERING COM
MITTEE VOTES TO DELAY
ACTION ON MEASURE.

WASHINGTON, d. C.-Hopes of
emergency tariff legislation to benefit
the farmers al the session of congress
went glirnmering today. The senate
democratic steering committee, after
conference over the house tariff bill,
decided that the bill should be referr-
ed to the finance committee and be
considered in the regular way by the
full membership.
Significance of this decision is more
serious for emergency tariff legislation
than appears on the surface. 1t prob
ably means that no such legislation
can be passed at the short session OF
congress, ending March 4th.
While Senator Simmons, ranking
democratic senator on the finance COM
mittee, and other prominent democrats
on the committee denied there would
be any filibuster to prevent bill be-
ing passed he insisted the measure
would have to be duly considered"
Others Of the steering committee talk
ed in like strain.
Blocks All Tariff Legislation.
"Duly considered" and fully con-
sidered," in senate parlance, are euphe-
mistic expressions for long drawn-out
discussions which, if need be, can be
extended into a filibuster. 1t is not the
senate practice to make deliberate
avowal of a purpose to fllibuster.
Senator Hitchcock, of Nebraska,
acting democratic leader, stated today
that he is opposed to any such legis-
lation.
"The BILL" Senator Hitchcock said,
rs not a tariff at all, but embargo
upon the importation of certain agr1-
cultural products. | am opposed to
such legislation at this time. am OPP
posed to it as matter of principle.
1t is understood that Senator Hitch
cocks opposition to the bill is shared
in whole or in part by other demo-
cratic leaders, including Senator Sim
mons Of North Carolina, Senator
Glass of Virginia, and Senator Harri-
son of Mississippi, According to Sen
ator Harrison the farmers protection
measure is a sop prepared by the man
ufacturing interests of the east in re-
turn for which, he exclaimed, the man
ufacturing interests would demand
protection on a scale equally as high.
The senator contended that no farm
er had asked for such protection.
Passed by the House.
The bill has been passed by the
house, receiving an overwhelming ma
jority. 1t received the support of
many democrats.
In the opinion of Representative
Crisp of the Third district di Gco-e;;i<-
and other leading house members, the
passage of the bill providing protection
| for farm products would not serve as a
precedent.
1T is an emergency measure" Mr.
Crisp said, land is of a nature with
anti dumping legislation. 1t is intend
ed to save the farmers in the moment
of their greatest distress and does not
mark remuneration by the democrats
of their hatred for protection as per-
manent policy"
At the same time, producers of pea
nuts in southern states, Alabama and
| Georgia especially, have repeatedly pc
titioned for protection against Orien-
tai importation in response to such
petitions. Mr.. Crisp, in the ways and
means committee this morning, raised
the protective tariff on peanuts from
two to three cents, and established
the tariff on peanut oil at 70 cents.
Minority Report Assailed Bill.
Representative Rainey, democrat,
from Illinois, in minority report from
the ways and means committee, sharp
ly opposed the bill He maintained
the agricultural interests of this coun-
! try would not be benefited by it, but
that it would react against them.