The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-03
President Leans Toward
Tariff Revision in a
Single Bill.
LATER CAN DECIDE
ON INCOME TAX
Believes Sugar Should Go on
Free List, but Is Open to Con-
viction on This Point-Re-
moval Of All Duties on
Wool Agreed Upon After
Long Conference.

Washington, April 2.-President VIII
aon was tonight face to face with the
most serious phases OF tariff revision.
With the work OF the House Ways
and Means Committee before him and
the extra session OF Congress only a
few days off the President had pro-
ceeded deep enough in his study of the
tariff bill 20 realize that before the
Democratic caucus met there were
many points upon which he himself
must take definite stand II was adj
mitted at the White House that he
would DO so lin a day or two"
1t was declared also that the Presi-
dent had not finally made up his mind
as TO whether tile tariff should be re-
vised schedule by schedule or IN q
single bill. whether sugar should be
put on the free list or given rea-
whether the income tax should be by
nat rate or graduated. These and kim
dred questions the President has not
yet decided absolutely. but from whnt
he told his callers o-day there was
well-deiined impression OF his in
clinations.
Wool on Free List
Removal OF all tarirf from raw wool
mas been agreed upon between Prcsi-
dent wilson and members of the House
Committee on Ways and Means. as the
result OF conferences that ended to-day
The present plan, which will have the
unanimous Endorsement of the Demo
cratic members OF the committee pro
vides that wool shall BE placed on the
free list. an end for which the free
wool Democrats OF the House have
fought for Two years
The concession to President Wilson
and the free wool advocates takes the
nj hf IL,
committee had agreed upon. This, in
sturn. was a reduction from the 20 per
cent duty OF the Democratic wooden
revision bill which passed the House
last summer, but failed TO become a
law. The free wool agreement, 1t was
claimed by Democrats tonight, is ex-
pected TO bring Secretary OF State
Bryan into full accord with the tariff
revision program.
The free wool Democrats have
pressed their fight before President
Wilson in conference in which Repre-
sentatives Harrison, of New York and
Rainey, of Illinois. both members OF
the Ways and Means Committee, have
been the leading figures. Mr.. Harri-
son. b3 cked b. Mr.. Bryan made an
ardent fight in the last Congress to Sc
cure Endorsement of the free wool poll
icy.
President ,n Accord.
is that the Ways and Means Committee
Will present its bill with the free wool
provision Incorporated, and with an
unanimous report from its Democratic
members, and that the President Will
make known his thorough accord with
IL.
The reception that may be given the
free wool plan by the Senate leaders
is still matter OF conjecture Presi-
dent Wilson is to meet Senator Sim
mons. chairman OF tho Finance Com
mittee, and Senators Hoko Smith and
Stone tomorrow night. and it is ex-
pected that the attitude of the Senate
Will then be made clear.
Under the existing law. wool carries
duty OF approximately II cents per
pound, or about 60 per cent when fig
ured on the ad valorem basis 1t is
estimated that the abolition OF the
duty will cause n loss of approximate
ment revenues, but Democratic tariff
leaders claim ii will bring about
substantial reduction in tho price OF
woolen manufactured goods. This re-
ductton in revenue and the possible
loss of approximately S53. 100000 of
revenues should sugar be placed on
the free list. would be made up the
Democrats say. by the income tax, the
details Of which probably will be set
tied tomorrow by the Ways and Means
Committee.
Revision in Single RiII.
The President leans toward revision
by single bill. lie thinks the income
tax question can only be decided after
an agreement has been mado upon
tariff rates. lie believes that sugar
should go on the free list, but is open
10 conviction on that point. Tho Presi.
dent has been hearing arguments that
people In Louisiana could readjust
their business TO meet the new con
dit:ons imposed by the removal of the
tariff on sugar.
But Colonel Robert Ewing, national
committeeman from Louisiana. has been
presenting the other side OF the uues-
ton, and when he left the White House
yesterday he had laid the case in full
before Mr.. Wilson. Following upou
his conference last night with Mr..
Underwood. the first thing the Presi-
dent did to-day was to send for Colonel
Ewing. lie canvassed the possibility
OF getting n common agreement on the
sugar question.
The Louisiana national committee
man told the President that the husi-
ness OF the sugar growers OF his State
with millions OF dollars invested,
would he destroyed IL sugar entered.
but that they wero willing to stand a
25 per cent cut. Mr.. Wilson agreed TO
study the question further
Tonight the President talked over
the tariff situation with Senator VIII
liam Hughes, OF New Jersey, a mem
Der Of the new Finance Committee.
Senator Simmons, chairman OF the
committee. sought an appolntmept
with the President. and to morrow will
bring with him Senators Stone and
Hoke Smith. also OF the Finance Com
mittee' FOR discussion OF the tariff
bill.
Devotes Day ia TnriT.
. The President devoted most OF the
aay &c lalklns .,S tarie. lie discussed
{. (continued on Ninth Pasel