The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-30
|. ]. p. SENATOR OF NEW JERSEY
 FACES BATTLE
Must Defeat Strong Opponent in Gov. Edwards" Stand batter" Dodges Tariff
 Issue, Is Charge
By HUGH ". ROBERTS Washington Bureau, The Ase-Heraid
 300 Davison Building

Washington Bureau, The Age-Heraid,
 300 Davison Building.
 Washington, July 29.-(Special.)- Senator Joseph Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, 'stand-pat" republican and ardent protectionist, is hard pressed for reelection. He has an able re- publican opponent. If he weathers the primary storm he will have to overcome Governor Edwards, who. despite the criticism of prohibition ists. Is an able man.
 Senator Frelinghuysen, protection ist though he is, runs not with the pending tariff bill as an integral part of his platform. On the con- trary, he has followed the example of that first notable political dodger, Pontius Pilate. He advocates the creation of an expert tariff commlE- sion. and thus washes his hands of the affair. He is running on dry platform. Like other good citizens, he would stand by the constitution. But he is not a prohibitionist.
 Dodgen Tariff Issue
 That this "stand-pat" republican, when hard pressed, lodges the tariff issue, is regarded by the democratic national committee as highly sig nificant. It is contended that the tariff bill is a thorn in the republican flesh. And yet, so pressing are the big interests which pay campaign bills that the G. O. P. must remain faithful to its knitting.
 Let us create a tariff commission and take the tariff out of politics" declares Frelinghuysen. Let us au- thorize this commission to change ex- isting tariff rates of its own volition on the basis of the difference In the cost of production at home and abroad"
 There is already a tariff commits sion. It was appointed by former President Wilson under authority of Congress Its members are expert and non-partisan. They do highly in- telligent work, as every member of Congress will admit. The act was passed by republicans, who had se- cured control of Congress while a democrat occupied the White House, on the theory that 1t would take the tariff out of politics. At that time. Senator Underwood of Alabama. au- thor of the existing tariff laws. which at that time the republicans cxecrated but which they have not changed. declared that the creation of a commission to keep Congress posted as to statistics. which serve
 
 the tariff out of politics.
 The democratic leader who pro- ceeds very often with his knowledge of human nature as a basis. realized that the one party was too fond of holding the other responsible for all the ills of industry to abandon the tariff as an issue.
 Wou1d Get "From Unders'
 Frelinghuysen. 1t is regarded in Washington. was simply trying to get from under" And other re- publicans. seeing an avenue of es- cape. joined hands with him. Among these was Senator Townsend of Mich igan, who defended his colleague, Senator Newberry, and who must soon render reckoning to his peo- pie.
 It is doubtful, however. that the Frelinghuysen incident Is the most conclusive proof that the republicans, while voting for their atrocious tariff, would run to cover. Some time ago, Senator Lafollette of Wis consin. assailed the cotton schedule in one of the fairsst addresses de- 1versd h congssss in recsnt years.