The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-26
SENATORS HOLDING
 CAUCUS ON WOOL
Republicans Worried Over RumOr That House Bill
 May Pass

Washington, July 25.-After more than three hours caucus democratic senators tonight got no nearer decision as to their party action or the House wool tariff revision bill, now in the Senate. AS g result of this indecson the caucus will be resumed tomorrow night and Senator Martin, the minority leader, will endeav- ur' to have a full attendance.
 It was developed as a result of tonight S caucus that the Senate democrats ere practically unanimous in support of the House measure. The difference in opin- ion exists on question of democratic at t.tude toward the LaF'olqette bill, in case it is offered as substitute after the House wool measure is defeated. A num- Der of senators expressed their desire to vote for the LaFollette substitute after the House measure was voted down, sup- posing this is done, but a majority drowned upon this programme, holding that as demorcats, the minority should stand or fall with the House bill
 Senator Martin brought the matter squarely before the caucus by offering a resolution pledging the Senate minority support to the House bill and to no other. No action upon it was taken. Senators Bailey, Reed and Williams spoke in ad- vocay of support to the Lar oilette bill if the democratic measure failed.
 Probably the most startling develop ment was the discovery in the early afternoon that there was a possibility of the passage of the House wool Jill through the aid of insurgent repub- lican votes. The report to this effect became current through expressions of Senator Poindexter of Washington, an nsurgent, who is friendly to the House bill, and the discovery created conster- nation on the republican side of the chamber.
 There was an immediate canvass of the situation and it was found that some of those mentioned as favorable to the House bill had been placed in 8 false position. Three or four of the in- surgents were found to have said they would accept the House bill if no other measure could be passed, but so far as could be determined, the number was
  tion. and by nightfall the leaders of the regular republicans had gained their equanimity and were predicting that there would be no tariff legislation during the present session.
 This prediction was based largely upon the results of conference held last night between the members or the Senate committee on finance and speak CT Clark of the House, and Chairman TvnI of HnlISe committee on ways and means.
 At this meeting Mir. Underwood told the senators it would be impossible to get any modification of tue House wool bill through at the House caucus, and he iniimateG that he would not try. His an- nouncenient was accepted as in the ma ture Of an ultlmatum from the House
 The situation was further complicated by conference of insurgent republicans, at which the only decision reached was not to treat with the democrats as a body. Possibility of a compromise on raw wool al the rate of 30 per cent was dis cussed. but a sufficient number to in gure. legislation could not be obtained for q rate of less than 35 per cent, the LaI'cllette rate being 20 per cent.
 The fact that at least few of the in- srrgents may vote for the House bill has stirred the democrats to make a general counting of noses. They have only 40 democratic votes. making 1t necessary to get Six more to effect legislation. They have. therefore, telegraphed Senator elect Hoke Smith of Georgia. urging him to come Immediately to Washington to qualify in order to be in position to vote Thursday.
 Not voice has been raised in debate over the wool bill in the Senate, though the House bill has been the 'unfinished brslness'f since yesterday, and the vote on wool is to come on Thursday without debate on that day. No senator was ready today to speak on 1t. Senator Myers of Montana gave notice he would discuss it tomorrow.
 He is the only senator who has ex- pressed any such intention.