The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-07
Adjournment Depends On Free List, Wool, and
 Cotton Bills
MAY AGREE ON WOOL
 AND FREE LIST BILLS
Outlook For Cotton Bill Is Indefinite. To Be Reported Thursday. House Programme Is Prac-
 tically Completed

Washington, August 6-The vortex of legislation. this week. which may pos sibly mark the adjournment of Con- gress. centers on the tariff revision bills that are expected to emerge from con- ference and committee. The adjourn ment depends upon the work on three measures and may be deferred several days on their account.
 The free list bill and the wool tariff revision bill are in the hands of Sena- tor LaFollette and Representative Un- derwood, the former representing the republican progressives in the Senate. who combined with the democrats to pass those measures, and the latter, the democratic party in control of the House Democratic Leader Underwood , has been strongly in favor of putting the free list measure back into both houses in the hope of making a strong CT showing than before in favor of the House bill unamended The effort of the progressive republican democratic combination is to put the wool bill | first before President Taft. Upon his expected veto the remainder of the pro- gramme of Congress largely hinges. Absentees in both houses having been summoned 10 Washington on the pos sibility of an attempt 10 pass one or more of the revision bills over veto. Both the Senate and House leaders express confidence that an agreement will be reached on both the wool and free list pnls. There Is considerable opposition to the cotton tariff revision bill, largely from the Carolina cotton manufacturers. It was in order to give the cotton interests in that state an opportunity to be heard that Senator Simmons of North Carolina induced the Senate finance committee to postpone final action on the bill, until after two hour hearings wehe h-ld on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,
 1he cotton bin probably will be re- ported back to the Senate adversely a9Sf Fbdf;AlaN. It's outlook is indef- mite. though the combination may be able to pass 1t.
 The wool and free list bills may emerge | from conference early this week. The wool bill as 1t passed the Senatey makes 1 an average cut of from 617 per cent ad
 valorem to 36. 24 per cent. reduction of 2S1s per cent from the average under the present law, but this will be changed in
 conference. The free list bill places on the free list agricultural implements, cot ton bagging, leather, boots, shoes, flour, lumber, salt, etc. The cotton bill makes an average cut of 21 per cent ad valorem | from the present law.
 The Senate defeated the original House free list bill rcconsidered the vote. then adopted a compromise the most essential difference of which was an amendment | aI,, frrt. ucts, flour and cereal products from any foreign country with which the United States has a reciprocal trade agreement under which 1t admits from the United States free of duty, cotton, corn. wheat, oats and certain live stock. This would apply only to Canada.
 The wool bill is also compromised from the House bill. The House bill proposed a 20 per cent ad valorem raw wool. The original LaFollette bill proposed 40 per cent. The compromise as passed by the Senate fixed the rate at 35 per cent. It Is expected the conference now hav- ing the measure in charge will adopt a rate on raw wool of about 30 per cent
 Republican insurgent senators are urg- ing other tariff revision. such as the sugar, iron and steel and rubber schedules.
 The Senate opens the week with a vote tomorrow on the New Mexico Arizona statehood bill. This is fixed for the leg islative day. of tomorrow, which per- mits extension for several days if neces- sary. The finance committee Is required to report the cotton bill by Thursday. To hurry business, the Senate will meet tomorrow at 10 o'clock, two hours in advance of the regular hour. Senators Borah. Root and Poindexter have an- nounced they will speak the bill.
 The House has practically completed it's programme and is awaiting action on the tariff revision bills it has sent over to the Senate
 The various congressional Investigating committees will continue hearings during the week.