Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-17
Debenture and Tariff.

The Democratic Republican, Progress
hive coalition of the Senate is now ready,
Il Is reported, to vote into the tariff
bill the Norris modified debenture plan
for farm relief. A similar coalition in
the Senate wrote the debenture plan
into the farm relief bill when that
measure was before the Senate last
Spring, although 1t was strongly OPP
posed by President Hoover as unsound.
In the end, the Senate coalition had to
Yield to the House and the President
In this matter. Otherwise, there would
have been no farm legislation. It was
evident then that the coalition Senators
did not wish to take the responsibility
fer preventing all farm legislation. But
It was also evident that they intended
to have another try at the debenture
plan when the tariff bill came up. That
was their threat, and now II appears
they are about to carry 1t into effect.
The President and the House may be
expected to stand firmly against the de-
benture plan, If it is adopted in the
Ils
its supporters that 1t viii be adopted.
The coalition seems determined on load
Ing the bill down with features that
the administration strongly opposes.
The removal. Of the so-called flexible
provision Of the tariff Law Is one Of
these moves The Senate coalition is
riding for q fall or else there is to be
no tariff bill, II the House and the Pres
iaent stand firm in these matters. The
House Is jealous of its peculiar iurisdic-
ton over revenue measures, granted It
under the Constitution. Furthermore.
It decisively defeated the Senate In the
struggle over the debenture plan when
the farm bill was up. It is not likely
to be inclined to give way now, espe-
eially on tariff bill. II the House wins
again In this fight, the Senate will find
itself q little further down the scale in
the matter of prestige.
Admittedly 1t lis not in the interest of
legislation and OF carrying out the plat
form pledges Of the administration TO
have one of the Houses of Congress con-
trolled by Observation-Disclosures groups,
composed Of Democrats and Republi-
can insurgents. But the situation has
arisen. It Is one that the Hoover adj
niinistration must face, as other adj
nainistrations have faced similar coali-
tons. The leaders Of the Democrats
and the Republican insurgents con-
tinue to insist that they have not
adopted Obstructive tactics In connec-
ton With lie tariff bill and that no
Alibuster is on.
The claim has been made that the
proponents of the Senate tariff bill have
used Is much time In the debate Of that
measure as have its opponents. This is
fatly denied by Chairman snoot Of the
finance committee, who has adopted
the simple expedient of having . cam
vass made Of the Congressional Record
to determine the real state of affairs.
Senator Snaoot has found that the OPP
ponents of the bill in the Senate have
used approximately 12e hours Of the
total debate, while the supporters Of
the measure have talked for only 20
hours. This IL pretty fair indication Of
how the delay Is being brought about.
II the opponents Of the tariff bin are
ready to vote as they say they are, why
do they not vote? But whenever a
proposition is made for limitation Of
debate or for fixing a date for the dis
position of the tariff BILL objection Is
made by opponents Of the bill.