New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-28
Attack Causes Big Stir
High Duties Expected to
Garry, However, Despite
the Protests of Leaders
rror, The Triounes wasnsmosom sursa

WASHINGTON, July 27.--In a bitter
protest against provisions of the wool
schedule in the Senate this afternoon
Senator Knute Nelson, of Minnesota.
veteran Republican and Civil War sol
der. called on Senator Smoot to he
"fair to the American people and not
so exceedingly fair to the wool manu-
facturers." Senator Nelson declared
he would be ashamed to go back to the
people Of Minnesota and say he had
voted for 100 per cent duty "on the
clothes most of US have to wear in
winter"
Senator Nelson's protest arose when
the Senate was considering paragraph
floS of the bill, which provides for a
duty on woven fabrics weighing not
more than four ounces a square yard
Senator Nelson calculated that the
committee rates, specific and ad va
loren combined, meant in effect a duty
ef 100 per cent.
"If that's the kind of tariff you
want to infict on the American people
we want to know it," shouted Senator
Nelson. This says that when the
value is not over 80 cents a pound the
duty shall be 40 cents pound and 80
per cent ad valorem. That's 100 per
cent duty, isn't it?"
Senator Smoot at first demurred, but
finally admitted it was. Senator Mel
son slammed his desk with a book. de-
clared such duty was more than COM
pensatory, and continued:
u never heard Of more uncon-
sconable duty in my life"
Senator Smoot sought to explain that
the rates fixed by the committee were
justified by the waste in making the
cloth.
"But there's great deal more waste
to the poor devil who has to buy a
coat" angrily retorted Senator Nelson
"What about that waste %
He referred to the committee propo-
siton as an "abnormality."
Il never heard of such thing" went
on Senator Nelson. "You fixed it in
some way so that the common people
Of this country will have to pay i0O
per cent. That's what you've done
unless you take the ground that the
common people are not intended to
wear that kind of clothes"
Senator Walsh, of Massachusetts
who had figures from an expert Of the
Tariff Commission, confirmed the state,
ments Of Senator Nelson as to what
the Finance Committee duties amount
ed to.
The assault by Senator Nelson on the
wool schedule, in view of his high
standing in the Republican party and
MS great following throughout the
Northwest and West, caused a profound
stir in Senate circles, and was highly
pleasing to other Republican Senators
who have criticized the Finance Com
mittee rates. A vote was not reached
on the paragraph. In spite Of attacks
however, there is little sign that the
high wool rates will be forced down
On repeated votes to-day the commit
tee was sustained.
The first paragraph was number
nos, relating to waste. Senator Walsh
assaied the rates, said they were above
the House rates and that every rate ir
the wool schedule approaches those
Of the Payne-Aldrich bill"
"The total cost to the consumer will
be the same" he asserted.
Adopted Without Roll Call
This paragraph was adopted without
roll call.
Paragraph 11os, relative to tops, was
nsxt onsidered.
Senator Walsh, of Massachusetts
said the duties proposed by the Finance
Conmittee were $50 per cent above the
Underwood rates. He said such exces,
siye duties were not justified.
Senator Walsh complained that the
wool Senator's were absent, that they
Ub of he
chamber. He said it was decreed that
the rest of the schedule should be
adopted,
Senator Lenroot held the proposed
sate-of 20 per cent--on wool tops was
not justified. He predicted the high
rates fixed on wool would be extended
to all kinds of clothing, blankets and
the like.
Senator Walsh's amendment to re-
euce the duty on tops to Is per cent
was beaten, 81 to 33. Senators Len
foot, Borah and Kellogg were the only
republicans voting for it.
~ Under paragraph 1,107 Senator
Walsh moved to cut the Finance Com
~ to 81. Senators Lenroot, Borah and
Aellogg were the only Republicans vot-
ing for the lower rate. On vote on
ADOPTION Of this paragraph adoption
vas carried, 81 to 10. On this vote
senator's Borah, Cummins, Kellogg,
..snes, of Washington, and Lenroot,
y the Republicans, supported the
lever rate
Following & conference of Finance
semmittee Democrats, Senator Jones,
~ New Mexico, with the backing of
Ms Democratic side, introduced an
amendment providing for comprehen-
1--WE changes in the tariff commission
Jaw 1t would broaden the scope of the
commissions duties and powers and re-
Naife it to make exhaustive investiga-
s aohs into differences in cost of produc-
s..oh IN all industries, and make recon-
.iM.eahdatlons to Congress as to rates.
US Is intended to supplant the proposal
m !, senator Frelinghuysen as to adjust
' MEM Of rates by commission and
nee1 some of the fexab.s 5oa.m1e.s pro-
.sOsed by the Finance CommittAe.
their conference to-day the FL
aance Committee Democrats indicated
purpose to limit their fight from now
VI TO comparatiyelv small MN, her IF