The Indianapolis times., 1929-09-05
Opposition Unable to Get
Agreement on Program
Before Monday.
TAX BATTLE STARTED
Democrats Want to Know
Whether Protection
Is Justified.
BY PAUL r. MALLON


WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.-An
armed truce until Monday in the
senate tariff battle was granted by
Republican leaders today to the
farm bloc-Democratic coalition, be-
cause the opposition has been un-
able to work out a definite program
for its fight.
During a half hour session today,
the Republicans sat silent and
twiddled their thumbs, in accord
ance with their announced policy
Of saying nothing about the $780,
100000 tariff measure until they are
compelled to speak.
The Democrats and independents
skirmished among themselves and
then adjournment was taken until
Monday, when the long delayed floor
contest is expected to start.
Wants Tax Information
A new move to obtain information
from the treasury department as to
profits and losses of the corporations
seeking tariff raises was inaugurated
by Senator Simmons, Democratic
tariff leader. He introduced a reso-
luton proposing to direct the finance
committee to get from Secretary
Mellon all information concerning
the profits and losses of taxpayers
affected by tariff legislation"
His idea is to ascertain from cor
Y7nTafIN10 iT1NnTTNn f0v 81,
1922 whether further tariff protec-
ton provided by the Republican bill
is warranted in various industries.
Republican Floor Leader Watson
objected to immediate consideration
Of the resolution, saying many SEN
ators understood no votes were to
be taken on any tariff question until
Monday. The resolution went to the
table.
Senator Borah of Idaho, in whose
office the Republican bloc members
are holding daily meetings, favors
motion to recommit the bill to the
senate finance committe, with in
structions to pare down the increases
to agricultural and related products
Democrats in Doubt
Democrats, who are holding their
own daily meetings in the Offices of
various party members, have indi-
Gated they might go along on a
motion to recommit, but indicated
they would like to have the motion
come from the Republican side of
the chamber.
They also have indicated will
ingness now to drop the Thomas
project.
The Republicans are watching
these preliminary troubles of the
bloc with glee. Even if the bloc
has the majority it claims, it would
not dare to risk wrecking the whole
bill, according to the administration
group.
They think too many Democrats
are interested in getting individual
tariff protection for their southern
States to vote either for the Thomas
resolution or for motion to recon-
NIT even if they voted last June
1OI JIle 6Ordn TSSOluGlOI, designed
to carry out the same idea.
BOrah Scents Victory
Borah claims to have won two
votes since his resolution was de-
feated, % to 80, but if some Demo-
Gratis absented themselves from the
chamber or changed their votes,
Borah's theoretical majority would
be wiped out.
Senator Joseph T. Robinson,
minority floor leader. is returning
today for a series of conferences
among his own party leaders and
some satisfactory plan for an op-
position program then may develop.
Robinson may call a conference Fri
day of all senate Democrats to de-
eide the issue.
The bill is not formally before the
senate yet. The unfinished business
is the Jones resolution, carrying out
President Hoover's recommendation
for a joint congressional committee
to study transfer of the prohibition
enforcement bureau from the treas
ury to the justice department.