New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-17
DEMOCRATS AGREE ON
MORE TARIFF CHANGES
Senate Coalition to Tack Steel
Revision on Cotton Bill and
Perhaps Others.
CAUCUS IN LONG STRUGGLE
Free List Bill Also May Go
Through, with House Yield
ing on All Disputed
Points.
LINN The Tribune Rureau.lN

Washington. Aug. l6-The question OF
taking up revision Of the cotton schedule
disrupted the Democratic party OF the
Senate to-day and split it into contendins
factions. which seven hours Of stormy dis
cussion in caucus could not amalgamate.
After the end of the conference Senator
Martin. minority leader, announced that
the Democrats would support an iron ana
steel amendment 20 the pending cotton BILL
but was unable TO predict what might nap
pen afterward. The number Of disgruntieu
members Of the caucus, who either refused
to attend or who left I'm anger before us
finish. was sufficiently large to justify the
suspicion that the bill might be oeiea'eu
despite the action Nof the conference anu
that its fate is still doubtful
The Democratic Senators, thrown into
CONSERVATION by the necessity OF aooptihs
some course of action with respect TO lhe
cotton bill. which they had hoped Wouio
not be brought to a vote, and goaded py
their insurgent allies, were DIVIDED INTO
three groups. One. consisting OF the North
Carolina, South Carolina and LOUISIANA
Senators ard several others, was opposed
10 taking up cotton revision at all An
other group desired to vote on the cotton
bill without amendment. The third group
comprising the free trade and progressive
wing. demanded revision of the cotton
iron and steel, rubber and sugar schedules
To what length the Democrats VIII 80 is
still uncertain, and another conference may
be called tomorrow. In the present cha-
otto situation in the Senate resolution 80
adjourn may be reported, and 1t is believed
such a resolution would command sufficient
Democratic support to pass.
Worked Long Without Action.
The Democrats remained in caucus two
hours during the morning without coming
10 any conclusion. In the Senate, the cot
ton bill was called up, and 10 prevent
action on the proposed iron and steel
amendment, Senator Overman made short
speech. in which he sought to reconcile the
hasty action Of the Democrats on the WOOL
bill with the desire to delay similar action
on the cotton bill He pleaded for time TO
consider the cotton bill and for gradual
revision downward instead of the indis-
criminate looping off Of rates presented by
the Underwood measure.
1t is generally understood" he said,
that the President will veto the measure.
/
over a serious economic. question and to
endangcr an industry Of such magnitude
for such an effect"
When the Senate took a recess shortly
after o'clock the Democrats again went
into caucus At 4. when the session OF
the Senate was resumed, they were sull
seeking a way out of the plight TO which
their ill-considered alliance with the insur-
gents has brought them, and. for lack of
a quorum. the Senate adjourned. The
caucus continued it's stormy labors until
late in the evening.
As a COMPROMISE with the insurgents the
Democrats finally agreed to adopt the iron
and steel amendment proposed by Senator
Cummins and, as a concession TO the North
Carolina Senators. who pleaded the over
turning of the Democratic majority In their
state as a reason for delay. the adoption
Of a revised chemical schedule and a
s6nedule reducing the duty on machinery
used in the manufacture Of cotton. Sen
ators were left free, however. 10 vote as
they chose on the latter amendments. Sen
ator Bacon's resolution 10 confine the vote
te cotton alone was rejected.
As a result Of the conference decision ii
Is poesible that, after a vote on the House
nill. which NAV be defeated. the Senate
will on a motion TO reconsider. adopt the
Ia Toilette bill and will add thereto the
iron ana steel amendment. The measure
would then go TO the House. which would
substitute its own iron and steel amend
ment and the question, if it reached that
point. would be thrsshed out in confer