The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-29
Strenuous Debate Ex-
pected at House
Caucus.
TARIFF REVISION
WILL BE ISSUE
Committee Appointments Likely
Also to Cause Commotion.
Leaders Hopeful. However,
That Assignments Will Be
Generally Accepted by
Members.

Washington. March 2S.-Next Satur-
day nights caucus Of the Democrats
OF the House bids fair to be a lively
event, II the question Of tariff proce-
lure Is preached. 1t may be that the
caucus Will be so busy approving or
criticizing committee assignments, how
ever, that the broader questions will
have to he deferred to q later meet
ing.
The Committee on Ways and Means.
which Will present the list of commit
teemcn and chairinanships. does not
apprehend any serious trouble over the
selections. however. The members be-
!icrc that in the nature OF things the
caucus Will feel bound TO accept the
work Of the committee as a whole.
since 10 dissect 1t would he to bring
chaos.
They argue that they were charged
BY the caucus last winter with the
task 81 fra ming the committees TO the
best OF their ability. taking all things
into consideration. and that an under
taking OF this character. being based
upon a balancing and distributing Of
conflicting claims and desires. must be
accepted or rejected in Its entirety.
Uncurbcd Debntc on Tariff.
No such pent-up Utica confines the
powers of the caucus as to tariff ques-
tionE, however. and there Is bound to
be division of opinion among the rank
and file as to procedure in the direc-
ton Of tariff revision, It will be a
conflict. II Is thought between
the elder statesmen and the new
corners.
The committee on Ways and Means
is expected 10 recommend tina after
passing the Canadian reciprocity bill
the work OF the extra session shall
be confined to the revision OF one or
possibly TWO schedules-wool and cot
Ton, perhaps. The new men, fresh
from tho people and eager for u record,
may insist upon going further In re-
sponee to what they may deem tho
demand Of the public for Immediate
relief, and this will be the subject Of
argument before the caucus.
do It now" is expected to be the
cry Of the new men. and they will
have to be reasoned with b. the elder
statesmen OF tho party. who will urge
that the time is not auspicious for a
general revision OF the tariff, as the
committee Is not in possession OF sufn-
cient details upon which to work in
such n highly technical undertaking.
as & broad revision.
The committee has the facts upon
which to base a revision OF the wooden
schedule--that is to say, a broad and
general survey OF the situation regard
ing the production and manufacture
Of wool and WOODEN goods. And set
this information is declared to be OF
only the most general character, war
ranttng amending of schedule X in
what might properly be termed an eN.
perimentai manner.
Attack to he Made on Steel.
An attack upon the steel schedule is
expected as one OF the features Of
This session. The American Federation
of Labor is behind this movement and
is very much in earnest. The first
move will be for an Investigation of
the steel trust, a continuation OF the
efforts OF last session. which came to
naught.
Mt. Stanley. OF Kentucky. who is the
principal In this move has been placed
on the Committee on Rules, and feels
confident OF his ability TO induce that
committee to bring out a resolution
authorizing the investigation. BY this
means the men hope to attract
public attention to the steel schedule
and ultimately to get action on II.