Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-03
DEMOS FOR TARIFF ON WOOL
Cling to Free Trade theoretically, but
Say They Need the Money.
BRYANs FORCES ARE PAC1FIED
Resolution Adopted Agreed Upon by
Members of FactiOn-LonE ses-
sion of Caucus Produces
Several Tits.


WASHINGTON. June 2-The proposed
democratic measure for revision Of the
wool tariff-the Underwood bill-was unani-
mously approved by full democratic eau
Gus at midnight. twelve hours after It had
been made public by the ways and means
committee. Its endorsement followed some
rapid maneuvering by the democratic house
leaders, who devised a scheme which eff
fectually disposed OF the opposition of the
free wool advocates
Through a resolution which leaves the
democratic party open in The future to
renew its advocacy OF free trade in raw
wool, but which commits oil democrats to
the support Of the present bill a revenue
measure, the divergent interests we're
brought together in the caucus shortly be-
fore midnight and almost unanimous agree
ment was reached.
The final vote was made unanimous, but
the following members were excused from
pledge TO support the caucus action:
Representatives Rucker CColo). Ashbrook,
Francis and Sharp (o) and Gray Qnd).
Policy Not Given Up.
The resolution. agreed on in a confer
ence Of the free raw wool advocates. was
introduced in the caucus by Representa-
tive Kitchin Of North Carolina, Who had
advocated free raw wool. His resolution
declared that the support OF a duty on
raw wool should not be construed as an
abandonment OF the democratic policy of
free wool. The need for a duty, the reso-
luton stated, was due to republican ex-
travagances which made necessary large
revenue.
Speaker Clark took the floor Immediately
and supported the resolution which had
been framed in the conference, which was
participated in by himself and Representa-
fives Burleson OF Texas. James OF Ken
lucky, Fitzgerald Of New York and Kitchin
of North Carolina. The resolution was
then unanimously adopted by the caucus.
Advocates OF free raw wool, backed by
William J. Bryan. earlier in the day Of
fered amendments to the Underwood bill,
putting wool Immediately upon the free
list, or proposing q gradual reduction that
would abolish the entire duty within five
years. While direct reference to Mr..
Bryan by name was not made by Chair
man Underwood or others who spoke dur
ing the day IN favor OF the 20 per cent
duty, they replied to the sense OF these
free wool demands by pointing out the
absolute necessity for a small duty on
raw WOOL
ECE SGht DWNss
Chairman Underwood gave a complete
text Of the proposed revision OF the wool
tariff 10 200 democrats who assembled in
the party caucus at noon. II proposes q
duty OF 20 per cent on raw wool, a reduc-
ton of more than 80 per cent from the
Payne-Aldrich law. now in force. As soon
as he had concluded his opening speech,
Mr.. Harrison of New York offered an
amendment that would abolish the wool
duty In five years. II proposed a gradual
reduction on each year for the five-year
period. Mr.. Harrison said this was the
true democratic principle OF tariff making.
to put on the free list q raw material so
universally used.
Mr.. Randall of Texas followed with an
amendment for the immediate abolishment
of the entire duty on raw wool. With
Sthese three proposals before them, the
democrats gave close attention TO the de-
bate, participated in by members OF the
ways ana means committee.
Two OF the chief speeches in favor OF
free wool were made at the night session
OF the caucus by Representative Randall
of Texas and James OF Kentucky, men,
bers OF the ways and means committee
Mr.. James pleaded for the abolition OF the
wool duty on the ground that II would
directly benefit consumers.
He said that Bryan had been accused
of attempting to dictate TO congress on the
free wool question and denied that Bryan's
open statement was anything more thar
an endorsement OF the first action OF the
ways and means committee. Thirty days
before Mr.. Bryan issued his statement
'sNr. James said, the committee had voted
IN favor of free wool, but later Il re.
versed its position and adopted the 20 per
cent duty.