Evening star., 1911-06-02
EXPLAIN WOOL DUTY
Democrats Have Kitchin Reso-
luton Read in House.
GIVES REASONS FOR TARIFF
No Remuneration Of Party Principles,
But to Secure Revenue.
UNDERWOOD BILL ADOPTED
Democrats, After Twelve-Hour Ses-
sion, Indorse Plan for Revision.
Contrary to Bryan's View.
GIVES REASONS FOR TARIFF
UNDERWOOD BILL ADOPTED

There was lively exchange in the
House this afternoon on the subject of
the Kitchin resolution adopted by the
democratic caucus last night, declaring
that approval Of the Underwood bill
shoulud not be construed as renun-
citation OF the principle OF free trade
In raw wool. Immediately after the
House met Representative Burleson
of Texas. chairman Of the demo-
cratic caucus, called attention to the fact
that he had not seen the text OF the res
olution published in any OF the morning
papers. and asked unanimous consent
that 1t be read at the clerks desk.
The resolution follows:
Resolved, that the bill revising sched-
ule X, as presented to this caucus by
the majority members Of the ways and
means committee, is not to be construed
as an abandonment Of any democratic
policy. but In view Of the democratic
platform demand for gradual reduc-
ton of the tariff and Of the depleted and
as result OF republican extravagance.
a tariff of % per cent ad vaiorem on
raw wool Is now proposed as a revenue
necessity
Cheers and Jeers.
When that part Of the resolution ex-
planning that no renunciation OF demo-
cratic principles was intended was read
the republican side jeered. When the
phrase setting forth that the depleted con-
dition Of the federal treasury was due to
republican extravaganza was reached the
democrats howled.
Then Representative Payne Of New
York, ranking minority member Of the
me- committee asked Mr..
Burleson IL the statement had been made
during the caucus that the surplus In the
Treasury at present was between $S.UO.-
600 and $4,000 600 and that the govern
1911. than May 81, 1910.
NO." Mr.. Burleson replied with
smile. mo misstatements at all were
made in the caucus"
nous consent to print the official Treasury
statement for the two days in question
to prove his contention.
The republican side evidenced an in
tention Of continuing the discussion along
the same lines, but Representative Gar
ner of Texas, amid sarcastic laughter
from the opposition. cut OF all debate by
demanding the regular order.
Democrats Indorse Bill.
The Underwood bill was unanimously
approved by q democratic caucus at mid
night last night, after a twelve-hour ses-
sion. Endorsement Of the measure in
this harmonious fashion followed some
rapid and skillful maneuvering by the
democratic leaders, who. on the spur Of
the moment. devised scheme which
effectually disposed Of the opposition Of
the free wool advocates.
The resolution. which was introduced IN
the caucus by Representative Claude
II A>H>f tat lnn~s
the democratic party open In the future
to renew its advocacy OF free trade In raw
wool. but which commits all democrats to
the support OF the Underwood bill as q
revenue measure. the divergent interests
were brought together just little be-
fore midnight and Endorsement OF the
bill Immediately followed.
The final vote on the approval OF the
Underwood bill was made unanimous, but
Representatives Rucker OF Colorado.
Indiana were excused from fidelity to
the decision under that rule Of the eau
Gus which takes cognizance Of pledges
previously given by members to their
constituents.
Mr.. Kitchin's resolution declares that
the support OF duty on raw wool should
not be construed as an abandonment Of
the democratic policy Of free wool. The
need for duty, the resolution sets forth.
Is due to republican extravaganza, which
makes great revenue essential to pay
the expenses OF the government.
Speaker Clarke. In q brief speech, in
dorsed the Kitchin resolution. which was
framed at q conference in which he and
Representatives Burleson Of Texas, the
caucus chairman; James Of Kentucky,
Fitzgerald Of New York, the appropria-
tions chairman, and Mr.. Kitchin partici-
pated.
Victory for Underwood.
The action Of the caucus is conceded to
be complete victory for Majority
Leader Underwood and the conserva-
tive. anti-Bryan element in the House.
Indeed. all those democrats who are
anxious to see the erstwhile Peerless
Leader eliminated as great power in
their party are jubilant today over the
manner in which his alleged effort to
disrupt the party by urging free wool
revenue duty on wool be agreed upon
failed Of success. The days Of Bryan's
rule or ruin" sway over the democracy
are over, they say. and they are exceed
ingly happy as result. Mr.. Under
wood was Congratulated on all sizes to-
day, even sone Of the war horses Of the
G. o. p. In the House. who are his per-
sonal friends. taking occasion to say to
him In private that they consider he
handled q difficult situation with con-
summate skill and wriggled himself and
his colleagues out OF q very bad hole.
But let Il not be thought that because
the House democrats wound uD their
twelve-hour session in peace and har-
mony that the free wool advocates did
not put up the strongest kind Of fight.
This would be far from the truth.
Representative Francis Burton Harrison
OF New York. the free wool democrat on
the ways and means committee: Repre-
sentative Ollie James OF Kentucky. Mr.
Bryan's personal friend and admirer. and
others struggled fierceiy for hours against
the Underwood policy. Their lamenta-
tions were loud and long. and they did
everything but shed tears. Mr.. James.
calling attention to the accusation that
the peerless leader had attempted to die
tate to Congress on the free wool Ques-
ton, denied that Bryan's open statement
on the subject was anything more than
an Endorsement OF the initial action Of the
ways and means committee. Thirty days
before Mr.. Bryan issued his statement.
Mr.. James said. the ways and means
committee had voted In favor OF free
wool, but later had reversed its position
and adopted the 20 per cent duty pro-
posed by the Underwood bill.
Withdraw Free Wool Amendments.
All the free wool leaders offered amend
ments during the progress OF the caucus.
putting WOOL Immediately on the free INST
or proposing q gradual reduction that
would abolish the entire duty within five
years. Mr.. Harrison offered the last
named amendment. Representative Ran
dell OF Texas proposed the immediate
abolition OF the duty on the raw material.
Before the Kitchin resolution and the
Underwood bill were voted upon these