The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-28
SENATE PASSES THE
REPUBLICAN SUGAR
/. REVISION MEASURE
First Purely Republican
Tariff Measure of the
Present Congress
is LAST OF THE
TARIFF FIGHTS
Republicans Play big Politics'-BiH
Would Reduce Duty on Sugar
to $1.60-The Democrats
Support Bill

Washington,July PA republican sugar
tariff bill. the first purely republican re-
vision measure of the present congress.
was adopted in the Senate today. Desert-
ing their allies of the last two days, the
republican progressives by an iron clad
agreement with the regulars. succeeded
in passing tariff reduction bill which
they believe President Taft will sign if
1t reaches him.
The sugar bill was a compromise be-
tween the Lodge plan indorsed by the
regular republicans and the Bristow bill
behind which the progressives lined up.
1t would cut the present sugar duty of
S1.so to $780, would abolish the Dutch
standard under which, practically no re-
fined sugar can be imported: and would
abolish the ~ cent .rehnets dtfferen-
tial,' an additional duty on refined sugar
which. 1t is claimed, has accrued direct
| ly to the profit of the sugar retlners.
Play Big Politics
The republicans played "big politics "
the third and last days tight on tariff
measures The regulars came down from
the s1.S21h cent duty of tho Lodge bill,
which the progressives moved upward
from the s1521s cent rate in the original
Bristow bill.
The compromise. which is only ~ cents
above the lowest figures named by the
progressives. is considered a victory for
| Senator ristow who has been the most ac-
tive advocate of sugar tariff reduction
on the republican side of the Senate.
The democratic free sugar BILL passed
! by the House. did not come to a vote
in the Senate. The Bristow-Lodge amend-
ment was first adopted. In the COMMITTEES
of the whole by vote OF 81 to %, Senators
Thornton and Foster of louisiana dem
ocrats voting with the republicans.
The Senate democrats then offered their
substitute for the House bill proposing
u one-third reduction In the existing tar
iff. This was defeated Sc to "A. the re-
publican regulars and progressyes hold-
ing to their agreement
The 13rstow-Lodge bill finally passed.
the SENATE with all but two democrats
voting for it, The final vote wrs 81. tQ =.
the negative votes being east by Scnh-
tors Hes burn. republican, and Foster
and Thornton, democrats
The attitude of the Senate democrats
in finally supporting the republican bill
Is expected to have influence with the
| democrats of the House when the amend
ed bill goes back there. The Senate prob
| ably will name Senators Penrose and
Lodge republicans and Simmons, dem
oorat, on the conference committee.
Think Taft Would Act
! 1t is believed by the republican lead
ers that IL the House should indorse the
! republican BILL the President would sign
the measure without delay.
An attempt to attach the Canadian
reciprocity repeal amendment to the bill.
made by Senator McCumber, was defeat
ed "a to 81. This vote showed the pur-
| pose of the republicans to prevent any
change in the sugar bill that might mean
Its defeat when 1t goes back to the
House.
I'VE now have the opportunity said
| Senator Bristow. "of getting a reduction
| in duty ON one of the most important
| of American commodities. have no doubt
that II the House accepts this measure
It will meet tho approval of the President.
1t Is time we were getting some fruits
! from tariff fights, and believe TINS
means success"
| The Senate bill would reduce the duty
on Cuban sugar, which comes under the
reciprocity treaty. at Si34, to about 81 20
| per 100 pounds. The maximum reduction
! OF duty on all refined sugar is three
tenths OF cent pound. The abolition
| of the Dutch standard. 1t Is expected.
will make possible more foreign competi-
/ ton in cheap grades of sugar, which have
heretofore been shut out bscause they
did not meet the color test of the Dutch
standard
Another feature of the Senate bill would
require the branding OF sugars TO show
their degree OF purity. II is expected this
would prevent fraud in the cheaper grades
OF uncolored sugars which would come
into the market under the operation of
the proposed law.
i 1t is estimated that the sugar tariff re-
duction. II II becomes effective, will re-
duce government customs receipts about
81, 10000. while its saving in the retail
sugar bill of the nation Is estimated at
$50 900, 900.