The daily worker., 1926-04-04
KIRBY LIN ES UP
DEMOCRATS BACK
OF REPUBLICANS
Organizes Leagues to
Write Congress

bAOh, SNAuoACou III IHe .nOubC anu SEN
ate during the past four months In the
bipartisan support given the Mellon
tax bill, the Muscle Shoals leasing
scheme, the confirmation Of Thos. l..
Woodlock as a member OF the inter-
state commerce commission, the sup
port OF the italian debt pact, and the,
silent conspiracy to kill any farm re-
lief legislation?
One favorite theory among cynics
in Washington is that the leaders Of
the democratic party have sold out to
big business in the hope of getting
campaign funds for this year and for
1928. Other observers suggest that
John H. Kirby OF Houston, Texas,
has much to do with the amazing col
lapse of democratic opposition.
Kirby is a hard-boiled, loud-spoken
reactionary, president of the South,
ern Tariff Association. This associa-
tlon has been going for many years
spreading high tariff propaganda in
the name of manufacturers in the
south. It has been supported by the
big lumber. cotton mill, steel and
other manufacturers in that region
1t has been literally supported by the
Louisiana sugar crowd. BY pleading
with democrats to be "loyal to the
south by building up her commercial
prosperity" It has been undermining
the low-tariff foundation OF the party.
Organizes Bankers Leagues.
During the past three years-since
Mellon started his drive to untax the
rich-Kirby has added to his activi-
ties a still bigger enterprise known as
the American Bankers League. This
Organization was first created among
bankers in the smaller cities and
towns. It's purpose was tax reduc-
ton for the small capitalist. It sent
out organizers who formed so-called
tax clubs. These clubs were lists and
committees Of business men and other
capitalists who could be persuaded
that they could unite to reduce the
federal, state and local taxes. Some
10000 Of these clubs have been
formed, according to the claims put
out by .Kirby's agents. Their Wash
ington offices are identical with his
tariff association. Their function is
the delivery of democratic congress-
men and senators, on roll CALL Co the
Coolidge administration on all eco
nomic issues.
Plenty Of Money.
A few defiant speeches were made
to the spokesmen of these mushroom
clubs by democratic members Of the
ways and means committee during
hearings on the tax bill last fall, Some
of them were denounced on the floor
as being groups Of unknown and>irre-
sponsible persons-politically speak.
ing. But they kept coming, and send
ing letters and kilograms. They had
money with which to travel to Wash
ington and stay in the best hotels.
They had the effect of a kid-gloved
fascist force, watching the democrats
from southern states. Kirby, the fire
eater and wartime profiteer, stood in
the background, directing operations.
| HOpinson, Lne Nev
This coalition put thru the Mellon
tax bill. It defeated the Norris bill
providing for public operation OF the
Muscle Shoals power plant. II killed
the ong-and-short-haul freight rates
bill, which was aimed to protect the
inter-mountain and northwestern
states against rail rate discrimina-
tions. 1t confirmed Woodlock, whose
record of writings against the farm
ers, labor, fair valuation of railroads,
and many other issues was so bad that
no senator dared defend It, even in
secret session. The key OF the coali-
ton is Sen. Robinson of Arkansas, de-
mocratic leader. Robinson carries
with him the tariff-hungry group of
his party in the South. They denounee
the trusts and high protective rates
and vote the Mellon program.
Plttman Gets Sore.
Once in a while the interests of de.
mocrats in Congress fall outside the
coalition. Thus Pittman of Nevada,
outraged by the injury to Nevada in
the defeat Of the rail rate bill, fought
Woodlock as bitterly as did Walsh or
Wheeler. Afterward, Pittman demand
ed that the roll-call by which the
senate in secret session refused to
take an open vote on Woodlock's con.
firmation be read from the desk. This
started a new fight as to whether the
majority could hide all It's acts in
secrecy. For the moment the Pittman
outbreak was quelled by points of or
der, but the bitterness remained. One
Western democrat remarked that his
party had lost its spine and stomach
and head all at once.
Lining Up for Debt Plan.
Now Kirby's organization is being
lined up for the Italian debt pact. The
insurgents and a scattering few OF the
democrats are organizing an opposi-
tion. Coolidge and Mellon are smiling
ly confident.
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Gulf Stornn Worka Havoo