The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-06
Opposition Develops in Caucus
and Adjournment Comes
Without Action
QUESTION UP AGAIN
ON MONDAY MORNING
Republican Senators Planning
Sweeping Attack on Tariff
Bill When 1t Comes Up
on the Floor

WASHINGTON. July 5.--with only
thirty one Democratic senators pres
ent, the party caucus today adjourned
until 4 o'clock Monday afternoon
without action on the resolution In
tended to bind individual senators to
support the tariff bill in the form in
which II il to be reported to the SEN
ate Early Monday morning there
will be a meeting Of the finance COM
mittee Democrats.
In the debate in the caucus over
the question of adopting resolution
to bind the senators to the bill q
divergence of views was disclosed.
Several Democratic senators spoke in
opposition to such a resolution de-
clar that II was not necessary.
Preparing Attacks.
Senator Smoot, of Utah. is prepar-
ing to offer amendments to almost
every paragraph IN the bill Senator
Burton. OF Ohio, and Senator La Fol-
iette, of Wisconsin. are each PLAN
ming a sweeping attack on the bill
La Toilette will not prepare an en-
tirely new tariff bill. as a substitute.
but win attack many of the schedules.
Senator Smoot said he would intro
duce an entire new wool paragraph
based on the report of the tariff
board. The senator from Utah said
that he did not anticipate offering an
amendment to the income tax pro-
vision.
There are great many inconsis-
ttencies In the tariff bill as framed
by the Democrats" said Senator
Smoot. 'For instance. mica, which
Is manufactured In North Carolina, In
taxed higher than in the present law,
and coal tar dyes, which are manu-
featured in Mr.. Harrison's district in
/ IN nf -
Senator Emoot said that while he
had not consulted yet with the other
Republican members of tho finance
committee, he did not think they
would attempt to make an extended
report on the tariff bill. but would
iconfine themselves to a brief adverse
report.
simmons Makes Statement
Senator Summons, chairman OF the
finance committee, in a statement to
today. declared that the bill as finally
adopted by the caucus Is exceedingly
satisfactory to the committee.
THE caucus has sustained the conn
mitiee in all of its actions on the tariff
bill" said Senator Simmons, except
on one or two minor and relatively
unimportant matters ] am satisfied
that the bill as approved by the caucus
will pass the senate, and with such
11OulfCatinDS aS 1isty tie ildde IA WIN
ference between the two houses. Will
be enacted into law.
II am confident that there will be
no disturbance of legitimate business
in this country as a result of the
operation OF this new tariff law !
am confident that II will result in re-
lfeving the people Of the United States
of many burdens from which they suf-
fer under the present tariff law. 1t
will lay the foundation Of greater
prosperity"
Law by September.
Senator Simmons said today that he
| believed tho bill would be passed by
the senate by the middle Of August.
| and that II should become a law by
September LIST.
Never in the history OF tariff legis-
lation ha sthe majority membership
OF the senate been more solidly in line
| to support 4 tarim bill than Is the
present Democratic majority. 1t was
pointed out today. Ever since the
tariff bill was reported to the house
made that the senate would remake
the Underwood bill raise rates. SO
that Mr.. Underwood would not recog-
nixe the measure. Today the bill car
ries lower rates than ever Democratic
leaders contend. and there Is every
prospect that it will be passed by the
senate with only such changes as the
| finance committee will recommend.
| The bill today more nearly repre-
sents the Democratic principles and
at the same time Is a more scientific
tariff measure than II was before the
finance committee took hold of II, 1,
| is said by the Democratic leaders.
| Members, of the house have given
them assurance that the Democrats
Of that body are friendly to the
changes which have been made In
| the measure for the most part. par
lsaculaFlys ITO. tha ,ssnnst important
amendments made by the committee.
Give. Credit to Summons.
| To Senator Simmons, head of the
finance committee. the Democrats are
giving much OF the credit for the
manner in which the bill has been
handled. both in committee and in
caucus. He has done much to pre-
serve the harmony which was &C
| desired blythe Democratic leaders
| While the debate In caucus has al
times been sharp. 1t was said today
THAT no i'll feeling has developed
among the Democrats, the nearest APP
| proach to such thing being the
feeling which the withdrawal OF >Sena-
tor Hitchcock OF Nebraska, from the
caucus when that body refused to
adopt his proposed amendment plac-
ing graduated tax upon tobacco
production.