The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1921-01-04
COTTON AND PEANUTS
LURE SOUTH TO TARIFF
DEMOCRATS SPLIT IN OPEN
ING CLASH, FIVE VOTING
WITH THE REPUBLICANS.

WASHINGTON, D. C.-Trouble
for the democratic party in congress
is promised by the passage OF the
emergency tariff bill in the house and
by the prospect OF its passage in the
Senate. Reliance is placed on Presi-
dent Wilson to veto the measure
Indications of the fight ahead over
tariff legislation were given in the SEN
ate today, when several hours spirited
debate and two roll calls were requir-
ed TO effect the formal routine action
of referring to the finance committee
the emergency tariff bill passed last
week by the house.
Democratic forces split in the open
ing clash. five minority members vot-
ing with the solid republican strength
against a motion by Senator Hitch
cock, of Nebraska, acting democratic
leader. to refer the house bill to the
commerce instead OF the flanance COM
mittee.
Republicans Win Objective.
After defeat of the Hitchcock mo-
ton and several democratic attacks on
the bill, parried by republican defense,
the senate voted unanimously to send
the bill to the finance committee.
Senator McCumber, of North Da-
kota, acting chairman of the finance
committee, announced during the de-
bate that the bill would be taken up
in committee early next month and
given fair and adequate considera-
ton"
The house bill was denounced as an
embargo" bill and Suicidal" by Sen
ator Hitchcock, who charged that the
senate machinery was set to rush it
through. American commerce should
be aided, he contended, and not ham
pered by tariff barriers.
Senator McCumber denied that the
bill proposed embargoes, and was sup
ported by Senator Smoot, republican
Utah. The North Dakota senator de-
clared the measure gave practically no
protection to wheat and said that he
would not support the bill as drafted
Senator Harrison, democrat, of Mis-
sissippi assailed the bill as ''the most
ubiquitous piece Of legislation the
country has ever seen" He denounc-
ed what he termed republican hypo-
crisy," referring to republican cam
paign statements as to lowering the
cost of living. The tariff was design
ed to enhance living costs, Senator
Harrison asserted, adding that the bill
was sop to western farmers and
would not aid them.
Appeal to Southern Democrats.
The trainers of the measure who
are chiefly instrumental in offering
protection to the agricultural interests
cleverly Intervene schedules which ap-
pealed to southern members, the hum
bic peanut not being the least of these,
and democratic senators feel the press
ure that moved the house members.
Representative Clark, florida, ad-
mitted he was as good democrat as
any one, but peanuts and sea island
cotton happen to be raised in his dis
trict; therefore he could not oppose
the bill Other democratic representa-
tives made similar admissions.
Those democrats who have not been
brought in to line are confident the
president will veto the Fordney bill if
it passes the senate.
Opponents of the measure also point
out that the bill is in the interest of ag-
ricutural interests and is class legis-
lation. Senator Penrose is said to be
opposed to the Fordney measure on
the ground that piecemeal tariff leg
islation is unsound.