Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-22
Senators Predict Fate of DEM
OCratiC Measures.
SAY WOOL BILL is DOOMED
Substitute Probable for House Leg
islation on Sugar
EXCISE LAW LIKELY TO PASS
Fruitless Effort of Republicans to
Harmonic on Wool Rates, and
Other Matters.

The democratic wool bill will be de-
feated. The democratic excise tax bill
will be passed and the democratic free
sugar bill will be defeated by the adop-
ton of a republican substitute cutting
out the Dutch standard and diferentials
and possibly reducing the duty on sugar
from about 40 to about /. 40 cents a
pound.
Such were the predictions made by
several Senate leaders today as to the
disposition of the tariff bills pending in
the Senate. upon which it has been
agreed TO vote the last three days of
THIS week.
There has been some talk of a re-
publican substitute for the democratic
wool bill. based on the report of the
tariff board. Senator Smoot gave
much study 10 that report and framed
bill justified by the differences in
the cost of production at home and
abroad as shown by the tariff board;
but the rates were somewhat higher
than those proposed in a bill support
ed by the republicans of the House
and the republican members OF the
Senate finance committee could not
get together on the measure
Further efforts have been made to
get the republicans into unison. but
not with success. When the demo-
cratic wool bill was adversely report
ed to the Senate from the finance COM
mittee, the republicans reserved the
right TO report a substitute later.
Plan Practically Abandoned.
The plan 10 present substitute, how
ever. has practically been given up. II
is understood that Senator Smoot. who
has been taking charge of tariff matters
for the Senate republican regulars. feels
that il would be a waste of time TO try
10 push republican substitute for the
democratic bin through the Senate. The
agreement calls for vote on the bill by
next Thursday, and there is much bust
ness of Importance to be taken up in the
Senate In the meantime. The time is TOO
short for the proper presentation of d
substitute wool bill. in Mr.. Shoots opin-
ion. Then there is no Indication that
the House would accept the bill. should
II be passed. for il would be republican
protection bill. and the House is demo-
cratic and advocates tariff for revenue
only"
The excise or income tax bill. the
second measure upon which there will
be a vote in the Senate. will be sup
ported not only by practically all of the
democrats but also by number of the
republican insurgents, and that Is be-
lioved to be sufficient to insure a ma
joritv vote for it. Several of the in
surgents have announced that they are
in favor of the measure. independent Of
reductions in the revenue due to reduc-
ffons in the tariff rates
Adverse to Income Tax.
The Senate finance committee has re-
ported against the income tax bill. as
q consequence of their adverse report
on the House free sugar bill. But it
appears that many senators will COM
slider the excise bill independently of
tariff measures.
A lively fight over the sugar bill is
ahead from all indications. The Senate
finance committee has reported a substi-
tute which leaves the present rates just
as they are, but eliminates the Dutch
standard and differentials. which will
have the effect of cutting the rates some
what and removing an advantage now
possessed by the American Sugar Rein
ing Company. Senator Lodge of Massa-
chusetts, whose proposition the finance
committee accepted. will speak in favor
OF the committees substitute.
Smoot Advocates Cuts.
Senator Smoot, however. is advocating
some cuts in the duties on sugar. and he
hopes TO have sufficient votes 10 put
through a substitute he will offer Some
90 the insurgents. notably Senator Bris-
tow. want to cut the rates on sugar IN
addition TO eliminating the Dutch stand
ard. and they are expected to give some
support 10 Mr.. SmooI plan.
Should the House determine to pass a
cotton bill. il probably will meet the same
fate in the Senate as the WOOL oill-a de-
feat An effort may he made by the re-
publicans to get together d substitute
based on t!ie tariff board report on
tariff schedules but as the House action
is still undetermined. so is the Senate