The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-01-28
TARIFF QUESTIONS
SENATE'S BIG TOPIC
Republicans and Democrats Clash in
Number of Arguments

Washington, Jan. 27.-RepuDll-
can and Democratic senate leaders
met in head-on collision today when
the former started a drive to put
through the Fordney emergency
tariff bill.
Republican suggestions of a Dem
ocratic filibuster brought on the
clash Senator Underwood of Ala
bama, minority leader, and other
prominent Democrats denying Wig,
orously that filibustering was in
progress or contemplated. The Dem
ocratic leaders expressed willingness
to vote after proper and legiti'
mate debate" and charged that the
Republicans did not expect the bill
to pass and sought to place the
blame on Democratic opponents.
Democratic Leader Underwood
added that the measure, even If
passed would be vetoed by Presi-
dent Wilson, because, he said, it
was "repugnant to Democratic tar
iff principles" He disclaimed having
received any direct information
from the president, however.
Senator Penrose Of Pennsylvania,
in charge of the bill, presented a
proposal for a vote next Tuesday,
but it went down under objections
from Mr.. Underwood and Senator
Simmons of North Carolina, rank
ing Democrat Of the finance COM
mittee. Senator Penrose said his
suggestion was made to "test the
good faith of certain gentlemen"
and the Democratic leaders retorted
that Senator Penrose's move was an
effort to charge the Democrats with
the bill.
After hours of spirited verbal
interspersed with some &C.
tual discussion of the bills tariff
schedules, the Republicans scored a
real point by forcing recess of the
senate tonight until tomorrow in
stead of adjournment, move which
operates to keep the bill before the
senate for consideration immediate
ly tomorrow to the exclusion of 9th
er usual routine business.
The move to hold the tariff meas
ure before the senate, forcing oppo-
nents and advocates to talk or vote,
followed announcement during to-
days partisan clashes from Senator
Penrose that he intended to press
the bill. When unable to secure an
agreement for voting next Tuesday.
Senator Penrose asked for coopera-
ton from the Democrats toward Sc
curing final action by February Is.
Senator Underwood and other
Democrats protested against the ef-
fort to fix vote next Tuesday,
considering that debate had been
begun only yesterday. Senator Pen
roses proposal, Mr.. Underwood de-
clared, was "a clear indication that
the majority has raised the white
flag" Senator Underwood added
that he would agree to vote after
a week or ten days discussion.
Senator Harrison, Democrat, of
Mississippi characterized the filibus.
tering suggestion as utterly with
out foundation" but Senator Nc
Cumber, Republican of North Dako-
to, said he had "a mere suspicion"
that a filibuster was planned, and
Senator Kenyon, Republican, of
Iowa, added that apparently" a
filibuster would prevent passage of
the bill.
During the brief discussion on the
merits of the legislation Senator
Harrison charged that those who
put "joker" in the wool schedule
by which most imported wool would
be charged a tariff of 80 per cent.
instead of the Is per cent. rate in
the bill. This, the Mississippi sena-
tor declared, would be effected by a
provision placing the higher rate on
woods which are sorted.
The proposed sugar duties also
were discussed by Senator Harrison,
who declared that, despite Republi-
can campaign pledges to reduce the
cost of living, the proposed sugar
tariff of two cents pound would
add that much to the cost to con-