The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-13

pressed with the idea that the re- publicans are distressed in that the bill has not already been enacted, and that the cause for delay is at- tributable to the democrats.
 Already spasmodic effort to such effect has been made by Senator Shoot of Utah, and other leading republicans of the Eenate. John T. Adams, chairman of the republican national committee. flowing the suggestion of Shoot, has Issued a formal statement in which he de- clares that the passage of the tariff is essential If there Is to be A re- turn of prosperity. that the repub- , licans are bending themselves in ] furious effort to pass the bill, and that the democrats are conducting filIbuster which is responsible for the delay.
 Fight Against @GRg''
 The indications are that similar statements from other republican sources will soon be issued. Then
 
 rules of the Senate 80 that cloture by majority vote might be imposed. Such a move will cause the demo- crats to fight against a gag rule. a rule which would deny them tfe right to discuss the most important schedules of tho bill, and in accord ance with their political faith,s to attempt to amend 1t.
 According to Senator Underwoo| the republican plan might prove ef- fieacious from their standpoint but for the fact that the people are fairly well informed of conditions.
 Republicans Blamed
 He refers to the fact that the re- publicans have been in charge of both Houses of Congress since 1918. He significantly refers to the fact that the republicans are responsi- ble for the sad plight in which the bill finds itself. The +45use in sisted on valuations based on Amer ican rather than European values, and the Senate insists to the con- trary. In addition, the Senate amended the House bill in more than 2,O00 particulars. and 1t is necessary that each of these amen ments be brought to the attention of the Sem ate; and 1t will be necessary that tn, House and Senate not only recon cile their differences respecting valu- ations, but their differences respect ing each of the Senate amendments. There is no manner of means by which consumption of much time can be avoided, and, according to Sem tor Underwood, the republicans themselves are responsible. Their leadership, it is a matter cf common observation, has been abominable.
 They must pay for their blunders, 1t now seems certain.
 Bill is Unpopular
 There are various reasons why the republicans would like to shelve the bill. It is unpopular with the peo- pie as the people. in recent elections, have demonstrated. The author of the bill, Senator McCumber, has been defeated in the North Dakota primaries, and "standpatters" have been rejected wherever they have presented themselves. It is unpop- ular with tho republican press, as editorial comment practically every day indicates.
 But there is still another reason. For tariff legislation, the present time, when valtNs daily fluctuate. Is out of joint. No republican senator will hesitate to admit that fact. They knew 1t in the beginning. but were forced to act by pressure from big business and fear lest their idleness might be construed as Neir sanction of the existing democratic bill.
 Senator LaFollette. republican. of Wisconsin, has predicted without equivocation that unless the bill Is rewritten downward" the republi- cans will be swept f om power. The republicans dislike LaFollette. But indications point to the fact that they agree with him as to their prob able fate.