The bill was then referred to the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Reed Smoot of Utah. Smoot was widely recognized as an exceptionally capable and indefatigable legislator who was unquestionably the most knowledgeable member of Congress about the details of the tariff schedule. He was also a committed protectionist who, as a matter of principle, opposed almost any reduction in tariff rates.20 A leader in the Mormon church, Smoot was known as the “apostle of protection” and “the sugar senator” because of his staunch defense of Utah’s sugar beet industry.
