The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-22
CAUCUS STUDIES
COMMITTED BILL
Senate Democratic Member
ship Works on Proposed
Tariff Rates.
GOOD PROGRESS IS MADE
Material Differences Have Not APP
peared-Simmons Predicts Re-
port Thursday.

Democratic Senators in party caucus
yesterday approved the chemical schedule
practically without changing any rates,
passed over favorably with one or two
exceptions, es-ths, earthenware, and
glassware, and had proceeded nearly
half way through schedule o, relating to
metals and manufactures of metals, be-
fore adjournment. The adjournment was
taken until 10 O'Clock tomorrow morning
The action of the Senate Finance Com
mittee in transferring pig iron, ferro-
manganese, ingots. blooms, slabs. billets,
&C., to lie free list was approved.
number of matters were referred back
to the Finance Committee, with instruc-
tons to report more fully as to the adj
visibility of certain changes suggested by
the caucus contrary to the recommenda-
ton of the majority of the Finance Com
mtttee. One change suggested relates to
paragraph o., which makes stained glass
and painted glass dutiable. The caucus
recommended that the committee report
back on the advisability of admitting
stained glass and painted glass for win
dows free of duty when the imported ar
ticle was to be used for a church or a
charitable institution.
Cement Causes Difference.
A difference of opinion arose over the
action of the Finance Committee in put
ting Roman cement on the free list. The
paragraph provides that Portland cement.
Roman cement, and other hydraulic &C.
ments shall be admitted free. The House
had made these articles dutiable. The
question raised by the caucus relates
simply to Roman cement.
RAnother matter concerning which a
question was raised in the caucus was as
to the duty on automobiles. By a vote of
the caucus, the majority of the Finance
Committee were requested to vote on the
advisability of increasing the duties on
the more expensive types of automobiles,
and of decreasing the duty on the cheaper
types.
In paragraph 81, of the earths, earth
enware, and glassware schedule, the Sem
ate committee has recommended a duty
of 50 per cent on CARTONS, for flaming
arc lamps" 1t was suggested in the cali.
Gus that this duty might affect home
industry, and there appeared to be
lack of information on the subject. and
It was sent back for further information.
The Senate committee put field glasses
and opera glasses on the dutiable list at
40 per cent, thus increasing them 80
per cent over the House rate. A number
of Democratic Senators expressed the
properly be classed as a luxury and the
duty increased, that field glasses are a
necessity and should carry a low rate
of duty or be on the free list This
matter was referred back for further in
formation.
In the same schedule. paragraph S. the
Finance Committee had made an amend
ment to the House bill taxing telescopes,
microscopes, Photographic and project
ing lenses. and frames and mounting for
The same" at % per cent. Some Of the
Senators believed that these articles
ought to be on the free list, and on this
point the committee was requested to
supply further information. On none of
the articles named was the committee in
structed to change the action it had
taken. but simply to investigate more
fully and supply information that was
not available yesterday when Senators
asked for it. The action in referring
these matters back may result in
change in the paragraphs or rates, but il
was explained that it will not necessarily
have that effect.
Committee Met Early.
The Senate caucus did a hard days
work. 1t met at 10 O'Clock yesterday
morning. adjourned for the session of
the Senate at noon. and resumed its
work shortly after O'Clock. continuing
amount of work was passed over tenta-
lively and approved. reservations wera
made by which any Senator may go back
and challenge any paragraph in the bill
at any time before the caucus concludes
its work.
The action yesterday in challenging SO
many paragraphs and the universal de-
mand in the caucus for fuller information
indicates clearly that the work of the
Finance Committee will not be approved
pro forma. Every paragraph Will be
subjected to the acid test and Senators
admitted that the prospect of getting the
bill back into the Senate before July 4
looks rather dubious. None of the ques-
tons on which trouble was expected in
the caucus has yet been reached. 1t has
been generally conceded that sugar, wool,