New-York tribune., 1912-02-21
FREE SUGAR PROPOSED
High Tax on Silk Stockings
Favored by Democrats.
[Frnm The Trlbnne enreau. ]

Washington. Feb. 20.--"Frec sugar ana
highly taxed silk stockings" Is the OASIS
Of a bill now being considered py the
Democrats of the Ways and Means Ceh'
mittee, who arc badly at odds In their
views regarding revision of the sugar
schedule. The Democratic members OF the
committee have veeded out the various
plans suggested until to-day two PROPOSE
tions are seriously contemplated
one provides that sugar shall be put on
the free list and that the resultant loss OF
$50. 900. 900 I'm revenue shall he equaizeu
hy higher tax on silks. This plan was
suggested to-day by Representative HSro-
wick. of Georgia. chairman OF the speciul
sugar investigating committee, who prom
ably will urge his views on the Ways and
Means Committee next Saturday.
Mr.. lIardwick expresses confidence al
ter informal conference with members or
the committee that sugar will go on the
free list and that silks will be taxed to
supply the revenue formerly produced by
this most remunerative commodity. II he
fails to convince the committee that this
is a good campaign argument. Mr.. Hard
wick says that he will take his free
sugar ana nlBHcI SlIhs p'i '"r''' D
cratic caucus.
The second plan under consideration by
the tariff tinkering Democrats contem-
plates cutting existing sugar duties prac-
tically I'm half and then protecting the
revenues of tho government by/a con-
sumption or internal revenue tax levied
against tho American manufacturer one
of these plans probably will be adopted
when the majority of the Ways ana
Means Committee next week reports "A
bill to revise the sugar schedule. The
fact that the Democrats Of the committee
have been unable 80 far 70 agree on an
equitable plan of revision Of that schedule
is responsible for the prior consideration
of the chemical bill.
Mr. Hardwick's plan TO make the wearers
of silks pay high price for fancy raiment'
10 the everlasting benefit of the poorer
classes who use sugar, but who, Ike Rep-
resentative Fowler. of Illinois, never saw
pair of silk stockings" is direct ana
simple. He says:
have suggested TO the Ways and Means
Committee that we may take the entire duty
off sugar. and by making SILKS pay al
equivalent ad valorem duty completely pro-
tect revenues The plan Is being earnestly
considered by the majority OF the ways
and Means Committee, and the chances are
excellent that sugar viii so on the tree
list. In the event that the committee turns
down the plan, number OF Democrats
who believe that all duty should be taken
from sugar will urge this compromise In
the Democratic caucus.
1t Is an excellent campaign argument.
The Democrats could not do anything that
would make bigger hit with the country.
Sugar is used by everybody Silk stockings
and silk dresses by a comparatively Few.
What IL we do add q cents pair TO the
price OF stockings, what cares the poor man
who wants cheap sugar for his coffec? The
plan would be winner III American manu-
faCturcrs object to a higher duty on raw
silk materials, We might also increase the
duty on the manufactured product, again
putting him on an equal footing. The poor
man would have cheaper sugar and the rich
man would continue to wear silk hose even
IL Il cost little more.
After more than six hours debate. in
which minority members made ineffective
attempts to amend the measure. the House
tonight postponed a vote on the bill re-
vising the chemical schedule until to-mor-
row. Representative Underwood. the ma
jority leader. attempted to hold the House
In session and jam the bill through to-
night. but the dwndling attendance and
the lack Of a quorum finally brought an
agreement TO vote tomorrow.
More than twoscore amendments offered
by Republican members were unceremoni-
ously rejected by the Democratic machine.
The bill Will be passed as II came from the
majority Of the Ways and Means Commit
tee. which, according to the admission OF
Representative Harrison, OF New York, ac-
cepted without material change the meas
ure which he admitted he prepared single
handed