McCumber, Porter James

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.

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