The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-08-08
LA TOILETTE ON TARIFF LID
HOLDING DOWN THE WOOL AND
FREE LIST BILLS.
suspicion That Ills Object 1s 10 Force
Action on the Cotton Dill- Regular
Republicans Sorry Now They Put
Him In Charge Of the Tariff Measures.

|
! Republicans Sorry Now They Put
Him In Charge Of the Tarin Measures.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 7.-Senator La Fol-
lette OF Wisconsin. insurgent Republican
candidate for President. il still sitting on
the tariff lid. He refuses to say when he
will get of and permit anything in the
way OF tariff legislation to escape. Some
Of the colleagues Of Mr.. La Toilette tried
to impress on him to-day the Importance
of taking good rest. They pointed out to
him that he has been overworked. that his
health was likely to give way under the
strain and that he owed it to the country
to assist In expediting the tariff legisla-
ton so that he could get back to Maple
| Bluff Farm on the Wisconcin lakes for a
rest
'Oh. am not going back to Wisconsin, !"
replied Mr. La Toilette. Il would like to.
but have at least two months work ahead
OF me here in Washington. whether Con-
gress adjourns or not"
When this information was spread
around the Senate IL created almost a
panic. Some Of the regular Republicans
admit now that they made tactical mis-
take when they turned the farmers free
list bill and the wool bill over to MIR. La
Toilette az the Senate's representative in
sub-committse OF the Conference Com
mittee. Some of the regular Republicans
thought they had made a clever move
when they washed their hands Of the tariff
legislation. They thought they could
point In the future to the fact that what
ever compromise measures came out of
the conference could be charged solely
to the Democratic and insurgent coalition.
They did not realize at the time. al
though they are willing to now admit it,
that they placed in the hands of the Sena-
tor from Wisconsin a power which he was
only too eager to WELD and which he is
now using to direct the tariff legislation
along whatever course he may sec fit.
He Is suspected now OF delaying action
on the wool bill and the farmers free list
bill until he can force a vote In the Senate
on the cotton bill.
The Senator from Wisconsin expressed
the opinion to-day that the date of ad-
journment OF Congress was in his judg-
ment rather remote. He did not talk
discouragingly OF a compromise agree
ment with Mr.. Underwood. but he did
not seem to be In as much OF hurry as
some Of his colleagues would have liked
to have him.
There are some amusing features OF the
situation. A week ago q number OF the
regular Republican Senators were saying
| that they would end the session of Con-
gress by going away on their vacations
and breakingla. quorum. Some OF them
even essayed to make the fight. but have
either returned to Washington or are
hurrying back on fast trains. Senator
Guggenheim started to ssil for Europe.
but was halted at the pier in New York
by telegram from the Senate leaders.
was busy imploring everybody to hasten
the adjournment of the session in order
that he might depart.
Senator Lodge. filled with disgust At
the course matters were taking In Con-
gress. departed for his home at Nahant,
joining Mrs. Lodge there and sail for
Europe. But it was learned to-day that
MIR. Lodge has changed his plans and Is
hurrying back to Washington. Senator
Clark OF Wyoming, another standpatter
failed to see the necessity Of his remain
reservations for Evanston. Wyo.. but he
did not depart according to his schedule
and is still in Washington.
There is a reason for this sudden break
ing Of plans for migration. The regular
Republican leaders woke up TO the fact
they would soon be at q disadvantage
in the Senate 30 far as votes were con-
cerned. and they saw the possibility Of
the insurgents and Democrats cOmbin-
ing to pass one or more of the tariff bills
over President Tafts veto. II was this
| hof hA
leaders and forced recall of the absen-
tees. Naturally there are some bad tenn
| pers around the Senate chamber. At the
same time nobody can properly blame
Mr.. La Toilette. who has been entrusted
by the leaders with serious RESPONSE
bility and who appears to be taking it
seriously. His demeanor is such as to
suggest that the question Of vacations
either for himself or his colleagues does
not interest him.
The subcommittee of the committee
on conference. which is composed Of
Senator La Toilette and Representative
Underwood. did not meet to-day. They
probably will get together tomorrow.
Mr.. Underwood was quoted to-day as
saying that he expected there would
be an agreement or disagreement re-
ported back 10 Congress within a few
days. Senator La Toilette does not seem
to be in any hurry about the matter and
| II tIlc 'ciHoSIdlb accept
the Senate bill.
The Senate Finance Committee did
not to day begin hearings on the cotton
| bill The cotton manufacturers were
not here to be heard, but il is expected
that some of them will appear Tomorrow
The committee will meet at 10 O'Clock
1t is expected that they will agree on a
report tomorrow or Wednesday The
leaders. both Democrats and Republi-
cans, are anxious to get the bill before the
Senate, for they realize that it probably
will take several days to dispose Of IL
after it reaches the Senate. if indeed II
is disposed Of at all this session
| There is a suspicion that Senator La
Toilette is holding up the farmers free
| list bill and the wool bill until he can force
action on the cotton bill in the Senate
and on the amendments relating to the
metal schedule and sugar schedule and
possibly other schedules that will be Of
fered when the bill comes 10 the Senate
In that way he will be able TO put Presi-
dent Taft on record on variety OF tariff
measures covering very general revision
OF the existing duties.
But whatever Mr.. La Follette's inten-
tions are. he 10 keeping them to himself
II il admitted on all hands that he holds
the key to the situation. Meanwhile all
predictions az to the date of adjournment
are pure oonjectures. There Ia hardly a
Senator who believes that Congress will