The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
McCumber, Porter James
1858–1933, American political leader, b. Crete, Ill. He began law practice in North Dakota and served (1885–89) in the territorial legislature. From 1899 to 1923 he was a Republican U.S. Senator. He actively supported the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906). As chairman of the finance committee he had a leading part in the framing of the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act of 1922. He was obliged to agree to high tariffs on industrial goods in order to secure protection for many farm products.
