Middletown transcript., 1922-08-26
TARIFF BILL
PASSED BY SENATE
Borah Only Republican Record
ed Against Bill
IS SENT TO CONFERENCE
Amendments Lost Ia Toilette And
Norris Absent, But Would
Have Opposed
Passage.

Washington.-The Administration
tariff bill, officially "the tariff act of
1922" was passed by the Senate after
four months of debate. 1t now goes to
conference. The vote was AZ to 25.
Senator Borah, of Idaho, was the
only Republican to vote against the
measure. Three Democrats-Brous-
sard, Kendrick and Ransdell-voted
for it.
Senator Harrison and Pomerene
announced that had they been per-
mitted to vote they would have voted
against the bill, and the same an
nouncement was made in behalf of
the seven Democratic absentees.
1t was stated, also, that had Sena-
tors La Toilette and Norris been pres
ent they would have voted against
the measure, while the other IL Re-
for it.
Senators Lenroot and Jones, of
Washington, Republicans, announced
that they supported the bill because
Of the privileges giving the President
broad authority to increase or de-
crease rates and in the hopes that the
Senate and House conferees would re-
duce rates which they considered ex-
cessive. Senator Lenroot said that if
this were not done he would vote
against the conference report.
Immediately after the passage of
the bill Senator Cummins, of Iowa,
president pro tempore, announced the
appointment ofPthe Senate conferees
Chairman McCumber and Senator
Smoot, of Utah, and Mclean, of Con-
necticut, Republicans, and Simmons,
of North Carolina, and Jones, of New
Mexico, Democrats. Senator Mclean
is the fourth ranking Republican on
the Finance Committee, and was
named in place of Senator La Toilette
who, under the usual rule, would have
drawn the assignment, but who is op.
posed to the bill.
The measure will be returned to the
House with a formal request for a
conference. Republicans of the House
meeting, decided to have the measure
sent to conference under a special
rule, instead of to the Ways and
Means Committee for preliminary con
sideration course that was suggest
ed some time ago.
American valuation will be the big
gest issue in conference, but the gen
eral belief at the Capitol is that the
House will yield on this, accepting the
Senate flexible" tariff plan as sub
stitute.
Chairman Fordney said he woult
hold out for American valuation, ask
ing instruction from the House. Un
der this plan the House would decide
the issue by a direct vote and thu
conferees then would proceed will
their work of adjusting the 1000 ode
points in dispute between the two
Houses. Mr.. Fordney thought the
work could be completed within ;
month, and the same view was enter
tanned by Senate leaders.
There still was gossip at the Cap
itol that the bill might get into dead
lock in conference and there die, bu
majority leaders declared the con
ferees would report the measure ou
and that it probably would be read.
for the President next month.
The judgment of leaders generally
however, is that the bill will be rewrii
ten in conference. If so, 1t will be tn
third rewriting since it passed tn
House on July 81, 1921.
Final action on the bill by the Ser
ate was witnessed by crowded ga
Ieries and many members of tn
House, who found places on the Sci
ate floor. In the last few minute
before the vote, the Senators relaxe
after the long strain under which the
have worked frequently night as we
as day, and they and the visitors foun
considerable amusement in the closin
proceedings.
With the approach of P. NJ, whe
debate and amendments automaticall
were cut off under special agre
ment, half dozen Senators were G
their feet at one time clamoring Il
recognition to offer proposed change
As rapidly as these were presente
they were voted down by swellir
choruses of noes" Each choir
was greeted with general laught'
from floor and galleries, and it W;
with difficulty that the Senate wi
brought to order for the final and d
cisive roll call.
Outstanding features in the Sena
bill are:
Flexible tariff provisions giving Il
President broad authority to increa
or decrease tariff duties within
radius of 80 per cent. until July
1924.
The agricultural and provisi'
schedule, carrying rates general
higher than those ever before pI
posed on foodstuffs. meats, vegetable
fruits, grains. milk. cream, eggs, b'
ter, nuts and others. N
The sugar schedule, carrying du
Of 2.3 cents pound on sugar. thrt