Evening star., 1922-07-09
FEAR TARIFF BILL
. EFFEcTSAT-POLLS
Republican Senators Would
Delay Passage Until
After Election.

With reports OF opposition In many
parts Of the country to the Fordney-
McCumber tariff bill piling in upon
them, some of the republican men,
bers of the Senate are searching the
f0fIxon for q means >of escape from
the consequences which they fear
may follow upon the heels Of the
passage of tho bill.
The specter of republican defeat in
the congressional elections of 1910.
following closely the passage Of the
Payne-Aldrich tariff law, is raising
its head.
At least two republican senators
from New England have recently re-
turned to Washington. shaking their
heads and predicting dire things II the
rates carried in the tariff bill are not
reduced.
There are some Of the republicans in
the senate who believe in the tariff
bill. who would like to see it become
law. But there are others who would
be glad to see the measure side
tracked; sidetracked with the blame
placed upon the shoulders of the
democrats.
Ever since the tariff debate began
In the Senate, weeks and months ago.
there have been charges from the re-
publican side Of the chamber that the
democrats were ''ilibustering"; that
they did not intend to let the tariff
bill pass, at least until just before
election day, in November. This
week the republicans brought in a
motion to limit debate on the tariff
bill. requiring q two-thirds vote to be
adopted. They knew beforehand
that 1t would be defeated by demo-
cratic votes. So they arc in a posi-
tiop to say that they tried to get the
bill through, but couldn't, IL the
measure should finally be sidetracked
Possible Postponemsnt.
Andy now. 1t was said yesterday.
still another move may be made. os-
tensibly to put an end to the debate
on the tariff bill. and bring the meas
ure to vote. but which. If 1t is tried
out. probably will result in post
ponement Of action on tho bill until
after the elections. This Is q pro-
posal to amend tho rules of the
Senate 30 that debate may be limited
by q majority vote Of the Senate, in
stead Of two-thirds. The proposed
new rule would apply only in the
case Of revenue and appropriation
bills
Ostensibly. such q move on the part
Of the republicans would be in the
interest Of Fastening the final dis
position and passage of the tariff bill.
In reality. it would probably sound
the death knell not only of the tariff
bill but also of the soldier bonus bill
for the present session of Congress.
The majority cloture proposal would
lead to filibuster, that probably
would run for weeks. The demo-
Gratis. some Of them, would approve
such change in the rules If pre-
scented at another time. but not now
while the tariff bill is up. Also there
are republican senator's who would
oppose violently such . change in the
rules of the Senate.
Denial was made yesterday by Sem
ator Lodge, the republican leader,
and by Senator Curtis, vice chairman
of the republican conference and
whip" that a move for majority
Lcloture would be made at this time.
May Demand Conference.
But other republican senators who
have sponsored the majority cloture
plan say otherwise. Furthermore.
they propose to discuss the matter
with the republican leaders early this
week. They may even demand q
party conference on the matter. AT
the last republican conference OF the
Senate. p fsw weeks ago. commit
tee vas appointed 70 draf new rude