Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-12
DECIDED BY CAUCUS
Democrats Agree on Plan Of
Legislative Action.
RECIPROCITY BILL FIRST
Then Abolition of Tariff on Agri-
cultural Implements and Stated
Household Necessities.

The democrats of the House of Repre-
sentatives caucused last night from 5
pm. until 1 am. and decided TO give the
Canadian reciprocity bill the right OF
way. Next will come a free list bill per-
Knitting the entry into this country with
out duty of agricultural implements. such
rs plows; barrows eapers. binders and
mowers, saddles and saddlery. wire fenc-
Ing, battling wire. cotton bagsing ana
ties. coarse sacks. burlaps. and other
necessities. including boots and shoes.
lumber -four. dressed meats and meat
products. salt and sewing machines.
Within two weeks another caucus OF the
ma jority party in the House will be held
to act upon the bills which will be pre-
pared by the ways and means democrats
to revise the wooden and cotton schedules
At present it looks very much as If
reciprocity. this free list bill and the
bills. lowering the duties on woolens and
cottons will be about the only measures
upon which the democrats will caucus.
Merely Party Measures.
The other legislative policies set forth
In the declaration in principles and plans
Endorsed by the caucus which met two
days before the converting of the spe-
cial session viii! be treated merely as
PARTY measures, and democratic leaders
do not feel that it will be necessary to
get the majority together to consider
them.
These questions include amendments
which are regarded as essential to per-
feet the recently enacted law providing
for the publicity of campaign contribu-
lions; the ratification of the constitutions
of Arizona and New Mexico. and the
election of senators by direct vote Of
the people
The proceedings during the FIVE hours
OF last nights caucus session were not
entirely harmonious. although no bitter
factional rows developed.
Additional Articles Free.
The reciprocity BILL with an additional
paragraph requesting the President to
continue treaty negotiations with Can
ada with view to increasing the number
of articles affected by the reciprocal
agreement was approved by a vote of
rs to % with six members voting pres
emit. While no specific resolution was
adopted declaring that the reciprocity
bill should he the first order Of business,
that measure will be disposed of first
The ways and means committee is given
discretion In the matter and is practical
ly unanimous on the question.
Speaker Clark had copy of the letter
recently written by President Taft to
who introduced the reciprocity measure
in the last session. pledging himself not
TO prorOgue Congress in the event of
the passage of the reciprocity bill by
both branches with an ensuing disagree
ment as to the date of adjournment.
While this satisfied all democrats as to
the Presidents intentions in the matter
there we're some of them who thought
that as a proposition of party policy the
zee list bill should either be enacted by
the House ahead of reciprocity or else
Re attached to that measure as rider
I:ut the overwhelming sentiment was
against jugglery of this sort on the
;round that the country would not stand
or il. and that the chances of the party
i'm the future, which now appear rosy,
would not be improved.
Decline to Participate.
Several members finally wound up by
requesting that they be excused from
participation in the caucus action. de-
ciarirg they had previously pledged them
selves to their constituents against the
policy approved by the democrats last
resentatives Webb, Doughtin and Gudger
"f North Carolina. Rucker Of Colorado.
Hammond of Minnesota, Ashbrook of
ohio and Pujo of Louisiana.
quite a number of members demanded
that additional items be added TO the free
list bill. They urged that the free list
presented to the caucus by ChaiNnsn
Underwood of the ways and means. conf
mittee was not sufficiently comprehen-
sive. They contended that other manu-
featured articles should he added to the
number mentioned in order to compen-
safe the farmer for the loss entailed by
the placing of SO many of his products
within the reciprocal zone. There was a
disposition the part OF the majority
OF the caucus, however. to accept the
Judgment of Mr.. Underwood and his
associates