Omaha daily bee., 1912-01-22
DEMOS PLAYING POLITICS
Congressional Business Delayed to
Permit Campaign on Floor.
UNDERWOOD DENIES CHARGE
Iron and steel Schedule Nearly
Ready for Submission and VIII
he the First Discussed-Iron
Ore ON Free List.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2L--Steel tariff
revision will occupy the center OF the
stage In the house this week and the long
expected tariff fight will be on for
months. Both houses Of congress have
shown marked lethargy in their work, the
idea apparently being to head off miscel-
laneous legislation so as to leave the
field clear for the tariff, Panama canal,
appropriations and other questions that
must be acted upon at this session. The
senate has been disposed so far to take
up only the pending arbitration treaties
with Great Britain and France, and no
limit has yet been set for the discussion
along this line.
Republican representatives have already
complained that the tariff revision pro-
gram has been delayed deliberately for
political purposes and that the democrats
are figuring on keeping congress in ses-
sion beyond the dates Of the national
conventions, so as to conduct the demo-
cratic campaign largely on the floor OF
the house,
bfmus hft
Democratic leaders. particularly Chair
man Underwood Of the ways and means
committee. says the plans for revising
the important schedules have progressed
as rapidly as possible and that the re-
vised iron and steel schedule Is all that
the committee has been able 10 prepare
despite the fact that the committee has
been working day and night.
The iron and steel schedule revision
will be submitted Tuesday afternoon to
caucus OF the democrats for ratifica-
tlon. Mr.. Underwood said today that he
believed the caucus would approve It,
so that the bill may be presented to the
full membership OF the ways and mean
committee Immediately and that the rea
tariff tinkering in the house might begin
by wednesday, when he expects to cal
up the measure. II Is barely possible
however. that these dates may be changed
to later In the week.
The revised schedule will put iron or,
on the free list. will cut the tariff Of
unwrought iron and steel BY 80 per cen
and win make reductions ranging upwart
from % per cent on manufactures oflsteel
the lower reductions applying to arAciel
requiring skilled labor. +
Much on Program To-day.
Tomorrow viii be busy day In CON
sress. President Farrell and J. A. Reed
counsel for Andrew Carnegie. will testify
before the house committee on stee
trust affairs. The report on the Wiley
pure food controversy will be submitted
TO the house. Senator Lorimer win re
sumo his defense before the elections in
vestigating committee. The senate com
mittee on pensions win take up the BIZ
service pension measure and Attorney
General wickersham will discuss the so
called tobacco trust before the senat
committee on judiciary.
Senator Bryan of Florida will speak to
morrow in opposition 10 pending genera
pension legislation.
Hearings on a resolution to investigat,
the financial situation Of the countr,
with particular reference to the existenc'
Of money trust viii be held this week.
Pork barrel BiII.
The decision OF the house committee OF
public buildings to report q tl6ooooo
OMNIBUS public building bill and the re
cent decision Of the house COMMITTEES OF
rivers and harbors to report a genera
river and harbor bill both measures pop
ularly known for years as pork BARRELS
in the interest Of congressional constitu
encies and both decided upon against tn
protect OF the democratic leaders. prob
ably will result soon in democratl
caucus on economy. This will be with
view to heading off these measures from
a fight on the floor of the house and L
keep the expenditures Of the hous
within REASONABLE. limits.
T-.,o no,,n&psoo Q.np