Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-04-19
By Republicans on The Un-
dorWOod Tariff Bill.
Complaints and Objections Give
Them Excellent Grounds.
The Democrats Plugging Away,wlth
Trouble In Their Own Ranks.

''AAAoeoA, a pI Al iiO Ctiiio-
cratic tariff revision bill came in for
its first attack in the Senate, Thurs
day, and the skirmish outlined tiio
scope and vigor of the fight that will ne
made against it by Republican politi-
cal forces when tariff discussions be-
gin in the two houses. Backed by re-
quests from many interests for hear
ings on certain sections of the Under
wood bill, Republican senator's made a
demand upon members of the finance.
committee for hearings, and openly
attacked the .secret legislation" now
going on in the Democratic caucus of
House members.
Democratic senators who replied II
the attack made it clear that the fl
nance committee does not plan To
grant any public hearings. Senators
Williambs and Stone insisted full hear
ings had been given by the House
committee before the bill was plepar-
ed. while Republican senator's declared
that these hearings had been of little
value, because the rates of the Under
wood bill were not then known.
With many complaints and objee-
tions before them, Republican MEM
bers of the Senate are preparing for
general attack on all schedules of the
bill. Other Republicans WHO claim that
important industries would be wiped
out by the Underwood bill will again
insist that business men and laboring
meh should have an opportunity to be
heard before the new bill is passed.
The Democratic House caucus work
ed over the Underwood bill Throughout
A. ,,v4haldin0 the Democratic
House leaders and President Wilson
upon all contested points. The wooden
schedule was under fire throughout
Thursdays session. Attempts to put
ready-made clothing on the free list.
and to alter other rates in the bill were
defeated. ~
Late in the day after the wool sched-
ule had been approved without change
the caucus disposed in short order OF
the silk, pulp and paper anu suhdry
schedules, voting down all proposed
amendments. The free list was under
consideration when the Democrats ad-
iourped until tomorrow. Rep. Under
wood admitted during the wool sched-
ule discussion that the proposed rates
might have serious effect upon some
manufacturers.
Rem. Bathrick of Ohio moved to place
, manufactured wool and clothing on the
| free list, instead of dutiabie at 30 per
cent ad valorem, as proposed Inc
amendment was voted down, % to w. An
| other motion by Rep. Bathrick to reduce
| the duty on readymade clothing to 10 per
! cent. was also lost.
| Rep Decker, a new member from MIS-
1 n m u
mittee and older members OF the House,
| declaring that new men were not given
emple opportunity to express their views
Rep. Thomas of Kentucky replied that
new members if they had superior knowl-
edge about tariff rates should come for
| ward rather than criticize the committee.
| Mr. Thomas said .This city has been
besieged by lobbyists, corporation law
yers and manufacturers who came here
| telling this committee what they thought
/, ought to be done with the tariff. Mem
! bers of Congress have told the COM
mittee what they thought. l want to say
to you that the President of the United
States has just as much right as any 9TH
er citizen to tell what he thinks and out
of 1000 items he only expressed his opin-
ion on two"
| In the pulp and paper schedule Repre-
sentative O'Leary of New York wanted
to increase the rate of Is per cent. on
pictures. calendars, labels, books,
pamphlets, engravings and etchngs to
% per cent. but his efforts were futile
and the entire schedule was approved as
submitted by the committee.
When the free list was reached the at
tendance of the caucus had dwindled to
few members. An amendment propos-
ed by Representative Bartlett of Georgia
placing phosphoric acid on the free list
was passed with little opposition. The
committee had fixed the duty of cents
pound Representative Bartlett argued
that phosphoric acid was used in the
preparation of fertilizer and that to tax
it would raise the price of fertilizer to
the farmer. This was the second change
in the bill since the caucus began It's con-
sideration a week ago. shoe machinery
having been the other item.
The caucus will complete the free list
discussion early Friday and then take
up the Income tax.