Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-06-01
CAUCUS ON WOOL SCHEDULE
Democrats Facing Big Row Over Tar.
if Question.

Washington. June 1.-The democratic
wool tariff bill. prepared by the ways
and means committee Of the house, was
presented to the democratic caucus at
noon today. The bill makes reductions
Of from one-half to two-thirds on all
wool duties.
Raw wool itself. which was free in
previous democratic tariff bills, is Civ
en- a duty Of 20 per cent ad valorem,
equivalent to from ; to 5 cents . pound.
Frss-ser All Fight Expected.
A free for all night over tariff poli-
cies and party politics, not to mention
the nomination OF q presidential can
didate next year was scheduled to come
of this afternoon in the caucus Of the
democratic members Of the house of
representatives. In this meeting the
democrats will attempt to arrive at
some agreement on the proposed re-
vision Of the wool tariff schedule
Altho the democrats 80 far have es-
tablished q record for harmony 1t be-
gins to look as if only q miracle viii
bring them into accorA. on the wool
question. .srssl=s sl
The animosity4 between the free wool
ana tariff wool factions is at white
heat as a result Of the pronunciamento
Of William Jennings Bryan against the
Of any duty on the raw ma
terial ana OF the reply of Oscar Un-
derwood, chairman Of the ways and
means committee. defending a moder-
ate tax thereon.
Threatened With Split.
There is no gainsaying the fact that
the democratic party is threatened
with a split on tariff policies that may
extend into the national convention
next year.
Speaker Clark is behind Underwood
in attempting to force thru a moderate
tariff on wool. and If he succeeds 1t is
likely he will be repudiated by the
Bryan following and classified as a
protectionist.
The Underwood bill which comes be-
fore the caucus for ratification pro-
poses a 20 per cent ad valorem duty on
raw wool, which makes the reduction
of the tax from the present II and ~
cents a pound to about cents a pound.
On the manufactured product the pro-
posed duty averages 45 per cent, a trifle
less than that in the Wilson law.
The Bryan democrats. led by Francis
Burton Harrison, Of New York, will
make a fight in the caucus for the sub
stitutions Of a bill providing for free
wool. Another proposition Is to amend
the Underwood bill to provide for
gradual reductions in the raw wool tax
until 1t is admitted free.
Binding Only With Two.Thirds Vote.
In a democratic caucus no vote is
binding upon the members unless sup
ported by two-thirds Of those present.
Unless Speaker Clark and Chairman
Underwood are able to muster this
strength they will be threatened with
defeat in the house, for their opponents
will be at liberty to disregard the cau-
Gus injunction Of q mere majority.
Most Of the committee chairmen and
the ranking democrats generally are
lined up with Clark and Underwood,
but OF the lesser followers, particu-
larly the new members, majority ia
vor free wool Two weeks ago poll
Of the democratic members showed .
majority in favor Of free wool. Two
weeks before that majority Of the
democrats on the ways and means
committee favored free wool. But by
exerting their power Clark and Under
wood worked revolution OF this sen-
timent.
The Bryan forces charge Clark with
a desire to conciliate the wool grow
ers Of Ohio and the far west with q
view to presidential possibilities. The
Clark following charge the Bryan men
min interests. 80 40
!. Both factions last night were claim
the victory In today's battle.