Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
,oTToN AND WOODEN SCHEDULES
Statehood Also Looms Up to Com
plicate Affairs.
WILL BE TEST OF SOLIDARITY
Democrats Will Find What Influences
Are at Work.
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION EXISTS
Private Negotiations Are Under Way
ts COmpromise-wosIe sched-
uIe May Ne Rewritten in
the Cancus.


WASHINGTON, May s-(speciai Tele-
gram.)--with the passage Of the farmers
free list bill. which may be expected on
Monday or Tuesday at the very latest. the
house comes faco to face with its first
real legislative problem. II has been recog-
nized from the beginning OF this extraor-
binary session Of congress that the demo-
cratic majority would undergo the severest
test OF It's new found cohesion. solidarity
and discipline, when II came to revise
downward the cotton and wolen schedules
These two items OF tariff making and the
admission of Arizona and New Mexico to
statehood viii complete the democratic pro-
gram OF house activities.
II seems probable that the statehood bill
will be brought UP for consideration In the
house before the revision Of the wool sched-
ule is undertaken.
II will serve to occupy the time for a
while and give the members OF the ways
and means committee a longer period to
devise a woolen schedule which can he
submitted 10 a democratic caucus. II the
preliminary work OF wfitng a schedule
has not been completed when the debate
over the admission of Arizona and New
Mexico ~ out of the way. the house will
follow the present senate fashion and sit
only on Mondays and Thursdays. II is
now the established custom of the respon+
sibe democratic leaders not to offer any
party measure in the house for considera-
tion In debate until party caucus has
approved t. thus insurng united ma
jority against a minority caucus.
Il is premature to say that the house
democrats are split over the question Of
whether raw wool should bear a revenue
duty or should be admitted free Unde-
niably there is difference of opinion
among the democrats Of the house. but II
IS far from true that the differences are
irrecoucilable. Ever since the new con-
gress began there have been predictions OF
divisions and splits in the majority
one after another these predictions have
not come true. Even now there Is going on
constantly and daily private negotistions to
coInpronise ,tlie dtffercnces on the singiel
itcmsof raw wool t
The ways and means COMMITTEES will
make no effort TO force bill upon the
majority, II strong differenlces are mani
tested on the wooien schedule, 4 may be
virtually rewritten in the caucus.
None OF the democrats has said he
would not abide by the caucus even II
his own committees did not prevail.
The house member has one advantage
at this time in revising downward wool
and the cotton schedules
fhe democrats know their decision and
what their work win be is in fact, almost
academic. None of them at the moment
believes that any revision Of the duties
on cotto nand wool and manufactures
thereof which are adopted by the house
and sent to the senate would be reported
out OF the finance committee of the other
branch at this session. In revising these
two tariff schedules the democrats have
reason to believe that they will only be
setting down definitely for the benefit of
the country what tho party would do II
II were In control in the senate as well
as in the house The White House may
be left out Of consideration, for President
Taft will approve any measure OF tariff
reduction that passes both branches of
congress.
Anyone who is at all willing to make the
inquiry can receive definite assurances
from numerous senttors that the only
tariff measure which the senate will enact
al this session is the Canadian reciprocity
bill Th finance committee will report
even this measure reluctantly and not be-
cause II wants TO- but because It must The
members of this committee and the ma
Jorl'y OF the republican senators have no
present Intention Of bringing the farmers
free list bill 20 light or TO eive any con
sideration to the cotton ana wooden
revision that may be passed by the house.
President toft viii not seek to induce the
senate 10 take any other attitude. The
presidents sole concern at this session is
Canadian reciprocity. 1t is the only meas
ure which he has asked congres TO pass.
IL Is the only pending proposition In which
he has any interest or which ne even
seeks TO expedite AS soon as it is through
the senate without amendments, In the
Continued on Second Pags)