The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-06-15

Attackedby
McCunber
Senator Charges Big Interests
Oppose Tariff Measure
Because it Will Cut
Huge Profits.
Says Press Subsidized

Washington. June l4.-Metropli-
tan newspapers, especially OF the
eastern sesboard and importing
houses and department stores OF the
country, were attacked in the SEN
ate by Senator McCumber, republi.
car. Of North Dakota. who charged
that they were 81 aiding "insidious
and poisonous propaganda" against
the pending tariff bill to further their
selfish interests and to maintain "ex.
tortionate" profits.
.Assailing particularly New York.
Boston and Philadelphia newspa-
,pers. the committee chairman said
The republicans had decided to
Ihanee their policy Of keeping silent
on the subject ef profits and were
now ready to meet the arguments.
especially Of the "socalled republican
press. who have 50 capriciously con
demned this BILL"
Prosecutions Urged.
Senator McCumber's speech, near
ly two hours in length. Immediately
precipitated replies from the demo-
cratic side and brought resolution by
Senator Walsh, Montana, calling up.
or the general attorney to advise the
senator where steps had been taken
or were to to be taken to establish
whether conspiracy existed among
the interests mentioned by the North
Dakota senator. The resolution ask
ed that il such combination existed,
prosecution Of those suspected be in
stituted under the antitrust law.
The Montana senator sought i'm
mediate action on the resolution but
M. McCumber objected, saying he
was heartily in favor of an investiga-
tion Of the facts and incidents pre-
sented but did not believe the Walsh
resolution was in accord with the sit
uation laid before the senate. The
resolution went over 4 day under
senate rules.
Senator Underwood, Alabama, the
democratic leader. characterized the
tariff leaders stand as "most remark
able and entirely new in tariff dis
cussion." He declared that on the
position taken by McCumber, the re-
publican protectionists had left no
longer any appeal to American man
ufacturers or labor.
Gigantic Fraud Charged.
"The senator has shown" said Mr..
underwood, that the profit taken by
sor1e Of these people ranges Is high
IS zoo ptr cent. III that Be true,
how can he az his committee expect
to protect American labor with 50
per cent duty! What appeal has he
left to the American manufacturer?
/ say If his statements are. true then
he and his committee have perpctrat-
ed ! gigantic fraud on the American
people"
The McCumber speech came at
the end Of a day Of little progress on
the tariff. bill and just ahead Of the
time when It is to be laid aside tenn
porarily for consideration Of the an
nual naval appropriation bill, which
is expected to be before the senate
the remainder Of the week.
Mr.. McCumbcr appeared on the
floor with number OF articles
usually imported for sale by de-
partment store. Using the articles
on which both the foreign and resale
selling price had been obtained, as
examples to illustrate his speech he
described what he characterized as
the enormous frauds perpcrtated on
the American people
Shows Blk Prihts.
Article after article was held UP
before the senator's. There was a
ci,ckoo clock made in Germany, Mr..
McCumbcr said. for 94c and sold in
New York at $22; string Of pearls
from France costing $l2.25 and sold
here at $50; electric bulbs made
for SIS cents and rctailed IN America
Ut 50 cents; kid gloves inyoiced at
27 cents and retailcd At So, p straw
hat Of English. make, bought there
at 50 cents and sold here for S.
Wool blankets and carving sets and
eQrling irons, hair clippers and briar
pipes were among the exhibits.
And the men who handle these
are the men who are fighting thi.
tariff BILL" Mr.. McCumber, shouted
They don't want to give up robbine
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