The progressive senators were active in their opposition to the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Bill of 1909. For a period of twelve years there had been no tariff legislation. The great industrial changes which went on during that time made a revision of the Dingley Tariff imperative. Although there has been a constant demand for revision, the tariff played no part in the campaigns of 1900 and 1904. The demand has become insistent, however, during recent years, and may be attributed in part to the increased cost of living. This demand, made chiefly by the wage-earners and salaried men, has been seconded from another quarter. The attitude of foreign nations toward our goods has made it increasingly difficult for American manufacturers to dispose of their surplus. Wages have risen; the price of raw material is higher, and both affect the manufacturer. Foreign nations have refused to accept our high tariffs without retaliation, and this has made the manufacturer insist that Congress revise the objectionable Dingley act. The agitation took definite form during the session of 1907-8 when the National Manufacturers' Association undertook to secure legislation designed to create a tariff commission composed of experts whose business it should be to ascertain the facts concerning the condition of manufacturers and the necessity of a new tariff. Pursuant to this the Beveridge Tariff Commission Bill was introduced into the Senate, but the leaders of both houses--Cannon, Aldrich, Payne, and others--said bluntly that it was bad politics to take the question up just before a presidential campaign, and nothing was done. The demand grew more insistent, and the wary leaders learned in time that it would be good politics at least to declare for tariff revision, and this was done by Chairman Payne of the Ways and Means committee of the House. Just when the revision would come was not stated--some time after election, provided the nation would return the Republicans to power. [Illustration: Portrait.] Copyright by Clinedinst. Washington. Albert J. Beveridge. Senator from Indiana.