Evening star., 1921-09-25

ference of wages in this country and
abroad. He advocates other argu-
mentS similar to those used by his
predecessors for years past From
time to time he is interrupted by
senators who would have him go
into greater detail as to this or that
phase of the industry. They have at
their elbows documents that cover
every phase cf the subject under dis
cusSion.
At one of the hearings held during
the last days of the session. just be-
the crockery schedule, however-and
confessed his inability to answer a
question that was asked. Senator
Reed Smoot of Utah. acknowledged
to be the world authority on tariff
matters, answered the question and
for thirty or forty years. Those who
were to appear later before the COM
mittee looked at each other in
amazement; on the face of each was
registered vow that he would
when he returned to his hotel, study
up thoroughly on his subject before
he appeared before the committee
To return to the crockery schedule.
After the high protectionists had had
their inning the men representing the
importers presented their case. taking
the position that certain lines Of
y
and others not, should have placed
upon them a tariff sufficient to pro-
duce revenue, but not a tariff that
would prohibit absolutely their in
PRODUCTION into this country.
So on, back and forth through dif-
ferent branches of this industry, the ar
guments went, briefs were filed. speci-
mems of ware shown and the witnesses
departed for their hotels to speculate
upon the impression they had made and
as to their chances in securing the
| things that they had asked for.
continue Nails and noodles, graphite
and gum, bones and bottles, cardamon
seeds and hyacinths, steel rails and
ostrich feathers. lip sticks and loco
motives, cattle, wool, hides and thou
| sand and one other items are dis
cussed.
FINALLY the bill takes form and is
reported to the Senate. 1t is
really the House bill, but the trainers
of the measure in the lower branch Of
Congress would not recognize 1t be-
cause of the numerous changes that
have been made. The bill is reported
| out of the committee to the Senate
and takes it's place on the calendar.
where it is either called up in turn
or is made special business. When
it finally appears on the floor of the
Senate it la a subject for much de-
| bate. Every Senator is interested in
some phase or other and each one Is
trying to protect the interests OF his
state. The late Winfield Scott Han
cock, a candidate for the presidency
| q number of years ago, made the
statement that the tariff was local
| issue.
People nowadays. however. have
grown to realize that, to certain
extent, the tariff is a local issue.
Senators from Louisiana desire that
the cane growers be protected, so
they can secure a larger price for
their sugar Men from the western
states, where wheat is grown, de-
sire that the interests Of their con-
stituents be conserved. Senators rep
resenting the cotton belt Of the south
are insistent that the cotton raiser be
protected. Statesmen from New Eng
, land and other manufacturing CEN
ters are likewise insistent that their
constituents lave their full share OF
protection.
Finally, after numerous days Of de-
bate, the bill passes the Senate. As
| a rule, it has received many Addi-
tional amendments. 1t ID then sent to
the House Of Representatives and
that body accepts or rejects the bill
with the Senate amendments. II 1t is
rejected, as it usually IL, the measure
| is sent to conference and conferees
appointed, one set to represent the
House. the other the Senate. These
two sets Of conferees meet and take
up the bill. schedule by schedule.
Finally, they report to their respec.
disagreement, and 30 1t goes on back
and forth until bill satisfactory to
each branch of Congress is evolved; /;
then, II the party In power has its
members sufiiciently well lined up. 1t
passes both branches and Is submit
ted to the President for his approval
or veto.
The finance committee OF the Sem
ate is composed Of sixteen members
ten republicans and six democrats.