Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-15
To Voice Lengthy Disap-
prevail Of Fordney Emer-
gency Measure and
Present Congress
Policies
Minority Leader Underwood
Gives Notice Of impending
Attack During Senate De-
bate.-vOte on Bill Prob
able Today

Washington, Feb. t4-(By The AS
ISOLATED Press)- Developments CEN
tering around tariff legislation came
fast in Congress today. They in
cluded:
Declaration by Minority Leader
Underwood in the Senate that he had
received assurances that President
Wilson would veto the Fordney
emergency tariff bill, not by a mere
withholding of his signature, but
with a comprehensive statement CIV
ing his reasons coupled with final
attack on Republican congressional
policies.
Announcement by Senator Nc
Cumber, Republican, North Dakota,
that vote on the Fordns4 bill
probably would be obtained tomor-
row night.
A statement by Chairman Fordney
of the House ways and means COM
mittee making definite the intention
of Republican leaders to press legis-
lation revising the permanent tariff
through the extra session before at
tempting consideration of taxation
questions. ....-s
The Fordney bill was pulled out Of
its pigeon hole for several hours of
debate late in the day. Nothing
came of it, however, although it had
heen expected that a vote would be
had on the amendment. of Senator
Smoot, Republican, Utah, changing
the import rates on sugar from
those accepted by the Senate finance
committee. Mr.. McCumber as well
as Senators Gay, Democrat, LOUISE
ana, and Smoot discussed the amend
ment and several other senators got
into the debate now and then. But
when the session ended no definite
progress had been made g.
Senator Underwood was reticent
about his assurances Of presiden-
tial veto. He declined to say wheth-
and refused to answer questions
relative to the form in which the in
formation came.
His statements were the cause of
speculation among senators on both
sides of the emergency tariff ques-
ton. 1t was generally accepted that
Us a result of the White House atti-
tude the Democrats were more than
willing to let the measure go to a
vote where all senator's records
could he preserved.
Senator McCumber did not elaborr
ate on his statement that he expected
a vote by tomorrow night. 1t was
made just as the Senate turned to
consideration of the Fordney bill in
md-afternoon and wos in connection
with a warning by the North Dakota
senator that the unfinished business
should actually become unfinished
work of the Senate and attention
given it.
Plans Of Republican leaders con-
corning revision of the pertinent tar
if were made public in the form of a
letter by Mr.. Fordney to Representa-
tive Frear, Republican, Wisconsin.
Any program Mr.. Fordney said,
which did not contemplate immediate
action on revision of the Underwood
tariff act. would not be in accord with
the Overwhelming expression of the
people" in the November election.
The House ways and means COM
mttee, its chairman indicated, will
launch into work of framing the new
tariff law Immediately after the hear
ines. now in process are concluded,
probably within the next few days.
The bill then will be made ready for
introduction and consideration in the
House in the early days of the extra
s. ssion. &F,A
After the tariff bill has passed the
House." Mr. Fordney's letter contin-
ued. and during the time|it is being
debated in the Senate, time will be
afforded to prepare new revenue
bill and to conduct hearings on which
tax revision should be based"
Chairman Fordney also secuted
published reports that the commit
tees mind was made up with respect
TO sales tax and said that full con-
sideration was to be given all revenue
suggestions and that treasury experts
would be brought in for technical
advice before action of any kind was
taken. -