The searchlight., 1912-03-29
OLD WOOL BILL
REVIVED AGAIN
MOUSE MEMBERS UNABLE TO
RECONCILE VIEWS WITH
TARIFF BOARD.
BOARD IS CONDEMNED
Original Measure Unexpectedly In
trodueed by Chairman Under.
wood-other Congress
sional DoinQs.


| ocrats in the house have surrendered
on the wool tariff. That is accepted as
the only explanation of the course pur-
sued by Chairman Underwood of the
ways and means committee in intro
ducing the same old wool tariff bill,
levying 20 per cent ad valorem duty
on raw wool, that originally was pass
ed by the Democratic house in the
special session. and what was regard
ed by all protectionists as a much
worse bill than the one passed as a
compromise between the house Dem
ocrats and the insurgent Republicans,
which ultimately was vetoed by Presi-
| dent Taft.
After having spent many weeks in
efforts to reconcile their views with
these OF the tariff board, the house
Democrats practically confess their In.
ability to make any progress on the
subject beyond what they first pro-
posed before the tariff board report
was made public.
Instead Of accepting the bill which
President Taft vetoed, and agreeing
to stand upon that measure, the house
Democrats have agreed to stand upon
their original bill. which even the sen.
ate insurgents refused to support in
the special session.
To Avoid Serious Dispute.
The reason for the unexpected ac-
tion by Mr.. Underwood Is said to be
fear on the part of the Democratic
leaders in the house that an effort
to patch up a new Democratic wool
tariff bill would precipitate a serious
row between the free wool advocates
and the opposition to free wool. and
the Democratic leaders would find
themselves in worse quandary than
ever.
Having once agreed to the old house
bill they have decided to go back to
that, rather than agree upon the mon
srel Democratic insurgent bill which
was voted for by the house Demo
Gratis last summer. and was vetoed by
President Taft
There II known to be no relation
whatever between that bill and what
the tariff board reported on wool and
woolen goods. In other words. Chair
man Underwood has given up in de-
spair
The re-introduction Of the bill We
toed by President Taft. with the elm
ination OF the senate amendments. will
be used by the Democrats as the basis
for an arraignment of the tariff board.
In the report on the bill. which is be-
Ing written by Mr.. Underwood, an ef-
fort will be made to show that the
board is failure and that It's report
on wool was useless.
In a special recommendation to con.
gress Postmaster General Hitchcock
urged immediate extension to rural
letter carriers. who may be injured
In the line of duty. the same privi-
leges and compensation as now pro.
vided by law for injured railway mail
clerks.
Tilt Over Indian Question.
Washington.-A subcommittee of
the house committee on Indian affairs,
composed OF Representative Carter Of
Oklahoma, Democrat, and Represen.
tative Miller. Republican. had a hear.
Ing on the Steenerson bill providing
for the passage to patent of all un-
challenged Indian allotments on the
White Earth reservation within 90
days unless any contemplated federal
action is begun within that time.
Representative Graham OF the com
mittee now making . special White
Earth investigation, appeared and
spoke against the measure. He took
particular exception to the 90-day pro-
vision. declaring that six months, at
least. should be given the government
In which to commence contests OF title
II any were thought necessary. He
urged that no action be taken on the
measure until his own committee has
concluded its prolonged investigation
OF the Minnesota situation.
Representative Steenerson OF Min
nesota introduced . resolution prcyid-
ing for a special committee Of five
members OF the house to investigate
q combination Of coal dealers and coal
mine operators at the head of Lake
Superior in Minnesota and Wisconsin
The committee would be directed to
inquire into charges that a combina-
ton of dealers and operators. operat-
ing In violation of the antitrust law.
declined to supply coal to any munich
pality attempting TO deal in coal for
accommodation of the public. refused
to supply except to regular retail deal
ers and declined to sell coal to any
consumers either in carload lots or
otherwise.
The senate has frowned on the pro-