Evening star., 1911-08-11
Conferees Fix Raw Product
Duty at 20 Per Cent.
AN OPEN SESSION IS HELD
Regular" Republicans Decline to
Vote on Any Proposition.
HOUSE CLASSIFICATION HOLDS
Meeting Being Continued This Aft.
ernoon, in Hope of Reporting
Bill Tonight.

Agreement on a wool bill was reached
today between the conferees of the House
and Senate, on the basis of duty of %
per cent on raw wool as against 35 per
cent proposed by the Senate and 20 per
cent by the House. The understanding
was that there should be an equivalent
compromise on the duties on manufac-
tured woolens.
The agreement was reached at an open
session of the conference committee, an
occurrence almost unprecedented in tariff
legislation. 1t was Senator Bailey who
cepted unanimously by the conferees.
The regular" republicans of the House
and Senate conferees refused to vote on
any of the propositions advanced, Mr..
Payne explaining that they could not
sign any bill which this conference might
propose. So the democratic senator's,
with Senator La Toilette on one hand
and the House democrats on the other,
proceeded to frame up the agreement.
The first motion was one made by Mr.
Underwood, that the classification Of the
House bill be accepted. and this was
finally agreed upon by Senator La Fol-
lette. Then the committee came to the
question of rates. Senator La Toilette
I s5U
per cent.
Mr.. Underwood said he was not au-
thorized by his colleagues of the ways
and means committee to go above 2715
per cent. Senator La Toilette stood pat
on 80 per cent. and made no response to
Mr.. Cnderwood's plea to come to 27z
per cent.
Bailey Announces His Position.
Senator Bailey said he was not dis
posed to wrangle over 2x per cent, but
that he and his democratic colleagues.
recognized that it would be impossible
to pass d report which was not signed
by Senator La Toilette, and he was
willing on that account to vote for 80
per cent.
Representative Harrison explained that
the House conferees were not obstinate,
but 1t must be remembered that a con-
siderable portion of the House caucus
favored free raw WOOL
The vote was taken on the La Toilette
motion. resulting in a tie, whereupon
Senator Cullom, who was presiding, de-
clared the motion lost. Thereupon Sena
tor La Toilette came back with q modi-
fled proposition.
Il move that the duty on raw wool be
% per cent he said, coupling it with a
change in the classification OF woods to
conform to his bill.
Agreement Is Reached.
Mr.. Underwood and his colleagues con-
ferred together in a low tone for a few
minutes, and then Mr.. Underwood an
nounced that if La Toilette would accept
the House classification, which he deemed
to be material. he would accept the 20 per
cent.
This was acceptabl + to all concerned,
and 1t was SO determined.
The next paragi aph related to wool
rags and waste, and after some discus
sion the rate was fixed at - per cent
also.
At this point Senator La Toilette said
he wanted to go into the Senate, and q
recess was taken.
May Report Tonight.
The eonferees resumed the meeting at
2:15 O'Clock, Mr.. Underwood expressing
a desire to finish the bill if possible. SO
that it may be reported to the House to-
night and be brought up for considera-
tion tomorrow. He said there was earnest
desire on the part of the House to con-
cIude the bill and allow Congress TO ad-
journ, and this sentiment was echoed
freely by the other members OF the con-
ference.
Senator Bailey said that he thought If
Mr.. Underwood could hold the House In
session until > O'Clock tonight the con-
ferees would finish the bill and have 1t
before the House Mr. GnuerWood Sc
cured permission to have Mr.. Courts,
clerk OF the appropriations committee {,
assist in the ta.uiailon of the DllI.
Senator Cullom. presiding, said he
would be glad to have MIR. Underwood
and Senator La Toilette get together and
agree upon the remaining items % the
81 hedule and report to tie full commit
tee.