The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1913-05-05
Over the Wilson-Underwood
Free Trade Bill Says
Underwood.
NO PUBLIC HEARINGS
are to Be Given the Bill after
the Same Reaches the
Senate.
- Aane..IArEe -

WAsHINGTO23. d. c Maj s.
The end OF the tariff debate was IN
sight today SO far as tho House was
concerned. With few odds sad
ends OF the gundry schedule left
over the House stood ready to dis
pose of the free list, the administTa-
tive features OF the income tax.
..AH the fight IS over now" said
Mr.. Underwood, as he surveyed the
situation. The debate has been tie
mos; good natured in the reeoHee-
ton of the Democratic leaders. &c
Republicans have avoided compiler
lions and the caucus rule of the solid
Democratic vote has been rigidly
carried out. Only a few minor
changes are now to be expected and i;
is hoped by nightfalI to clear the
path for consideration OF the income
tax tomorrow. This will be followed
by the reading of the bill for the for
mai passage of the whole measure.
which, it is believed, Will take less
than an hour.
No Public Hearings.
No public hearings on the tariff
revision bill are to be held by tue
Senate fnance committee. according
10 Senator Simmons. the chairman.
There will be no public hcaF-
ings." said he today That ques-
ton has been definitely settled"
Senator Simmons said that those
most interested in the schedules
were content to file briefs setting
forth their views and recommends
tons. It is the present view of the
finance committee chairman that tie
cop,snittee will have the bill under
consideration two weeks at most.
Following that two weeks will be
given senators to prepare for debate
on the floor
Fear Wage Reductions.
If reductions in the wages of work
ingmen follow the enactment of the
Democratic tariff bill, the investigat-
ing powers of the department of COM
merce will be caffed in to establish
whether they are of a bona fide ma
ture. Secretary Redfeld today de-
clared that such was the purpose
President Wilson has said that he
would make an effort to learn the
cause of any reduction of pay follow
ing the enactment of tie bill and in
dicated a general approval today
of Mr.. Redfeld's ideas. The secretary
of commerce and the president held
conference at which Mr.. Redfeld
talked about the powers of the depart
ment. Mr.. Redfeld declared that
probably the first inquiry would be
made into the pottery industry, for
which he said representation had been
made that a reduction in wages would
follow changes in duties.
I'VE want to seeJ'' said Secretary
Redfeld, whether any changes in
business particularly those that affect
wages are directly necessary in the
Industries Affected
or whether some business men are
only bluning. IN other words. We
don't feel disposed to accept at par
the statements of the interests them
selves as to the effect of the tariff. but
Will make a thorough investigation
through the bureau OF domestic and
foreign commerce. This function has
not been used before but see no rea-
SON why such information should not
be gathered for the benefit OF Congress
and the government
The secretary indicated that his de-
partment would observe business in
general after the tariff bill had gone
into effect. and that if changes are
deemed necessary the facts collected
would be a basis for discussion in
Congress ut later sessions
Currency Legislation.
President Wilson today expressed
the hope that members of Congress
would come to an early agreement
on the details of currency Legislation
so that a bill could be passed At th'
special session.
The president told his callers he ex
pected the currency committees Of tn
House and Senate to get together t
formulate a measure and his owl
views would be transmitted through
whatever measures were finail
agreed upon by them.