The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-14
Brilliant Work Past Week
Makes Him Stronger Than
Ever Since He Assumed
the Presidency
DEMOCRATS TODAY TO
CONSIDER THE TARIFF
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Wins Victory in Caucus of the House
Democrats for Free Sugar Pro-
gramme, Forming Working
Agreement With Senate
Democrats

washington. April 13-Presdent Wilson
emerged from the week of the special tar
iff session of Congress apparently in
stronger position as the active leader of
democracy than at any time since he as
eumed the presidency.
Within the brief space of seven days
he had won victory in the caucus of
House democrats for his free sugar pro-
gramme had formed working agree
tnent with the democratic leaders of the
senate, which 1t is believed will insure
general support of his tariff programme in
that body, and had established precedents
of presidential cooperation with Congress
which. II successful, are expected greatly
fsation throughout the Wilson admins
tration.
The Presidents visit TO Congress Tues
DAY to deliver his opening address In per-
SON. and his visit to the Senate precincts
next day tc confer with finance committee
members upon the tariff plans. overshad-
owed all other developments of the week
sn public interest. Leaders of both houses
who have sounded out sentiment in demo-
eratic ranks since these events occurred.
declared the effect of the Presidents in
novations has been to strengthen demo-
cratic unity of action as TO leave the
president in a dominating position at the
outset of his administration.
At all points where Mr.. Wilson's de-
eisions were instrumental in the fixing
Of rates in the new tariff bill the full dem
ccratlc membership of the House voted
10 sustain him in caucus by heavy ma
jorities. House leaders who deferred to
him in the fixing OF many of the tariff
rates have supported his decisions and
successfully rallied party support to his
defense as the bill has been fought over
by the democratic members
Revision Fight Only Begun
The tariff revision fight admittedly Is
only begun, but the developments of the
last week have convinced party leaders
that there are likely to be few changes
from the rates favored by the President,
and little dlssension within democratic
ranks over tho final approval of the bill.
The wool fight will come in the House
caucus early this week While demo-
ocratic minority organization of 40 or more
Presidents free wool programme. it is
expected that the administration will be
sustained by a large majority as it was
tn the fight on the sugar tariff provision
yesterday.
senate leaders have pledged to the
President their support of the sugar and
wool provisions as finally adopted In the
House. 1t Is believed that the attempted
organization between opponents of free
sugar and free wool in the Senate will
not acquire sufficient strength to alter
the bill Senator Myers of Montana, who
has been counted upon by some of the
Enti-free wool krces as their ally has
snformed members of the finance conf
mittee and has stated publicly that he
/. 3avors the free wool programme and will
actively uphold the Presidents course as
TO this schedule.
Hearing Behind Closed Doors
The full democratic membership of the
House will resume consideration of the
fariff behind closed doors tomorrow with
the prospect of another weeks fight be-
fore the Underwood bill comes out with
the seal of party approval upon IT. Agri-
cultural duties will be taken up first to-
morrow and representatives of farming
districts are planning a hard fight against
some Of the most severe reductions which
\ the President and the House tariff makers
4 have determined upon as part of their
slower cost of living programme.
Republican members of the House ways
A and means committee who had no part
4 In preparing the Underwood bill are now
working on substitute cotton and wool
4 schedules, which they will offer soon
Ms the tariff Is taken up in the House.
These will be similar to the republican
substitutes offered In the last Congress
which proposed general reduction of
tariff, but maintained protection for the
manufacturers and wool growers. The
republicans vii have another caucus
Thursday night for further discussion Of
the tariff.
Other legislative subjects have been
forcing themselves to the frontd uring the
J last week. and attempts will be made to
secure President Wilson's approval OF
several projects on which immediate ac-
tion is desired. Preparation of currency
reform legislation Is ito move slowly, be-
cause of the agreement between the Pres
1 ident and Senator Owen, Representative
/ Glass and other congressional directors
/ of financial legislation that 1t shall not
| interfere with the tariff revision. A series
Of hearings probably will open soon,
under the direction of the Senate banking
end currency committee.
Alaska railroad legislation, which also
Is to be the subject of Senate hearings,
| will be pressed for early action. Senator
1 Pittman, chairman OF the territories COM
| mittee, will attempt to have an Alaskan