The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-26
SUGAR AND WOOL
TO REMAIN FREE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

lieved to be significant. as all OF them
have expressed themselves as favorable
to the bill. as It was adopted. Senator
Key Pittman of Nevada was alb
sent, but asked that his vote be
recorded. In a message that he sent from
New York. He voted In opposition TO his
colleague. Senator Newlands. and in sup
port of the administration, for free wool
and free sugar.
The test votes came at 4 o'clock. after
a day of heated discussion in the caucus
Speeches were made by Senator Lane
and Senator Thomas in support to free
sugar and by Senator Newlands anc
Senator Ransdell in opposition thereto
Senator Thomas of Colorado explained
that he would have voted with his col
league, Senator Shafroth. in favor of
duty on wool. but for the fact that he
had been on the Finance Committee and
felt obliged TO abide by its report. He
said that there was a time when he
might have voted for a duty on sugar In
the caucus, not that he believed the duty
was necessary. but because many people
in Colorado thought it was necessary,
and because his colleague. Senator Sha-
froth was so much interested in II. But
the Senator from Colorado said he could
not, with self-respect, vote for a duty on
sugar after the abuse that had been
heaped upon him in his own State by
the friends OF the beet sugar interests.
Unity Is Likely.
The only question considered by the
Senate caucus outside OF wool and sugar
was the agricultural schedule. A num-
Der of unimportant amendments were
adopted. and the caucus struck its first
obstacle when IL came to the recommen-
dalton of a majority OF the Finance Com
mittee in favor of a countervailing duty
on wheat and oats. and -four. There was
much opposition to this proposal, but
finally the matter was allowed to go
over until today when there will be
further discussion and a vote.
In none of the speeches was there
any threat that Democrats would vote
against the bill on account OF the adop-
ton OF free wool and free sugar. Up 10
this time no action has been taken In
the caucus looking to binding the indi-
vidual action OF Senators participating
But IL is regarded as rather significant
that a record was kept of the votes on
wool and sugar. in order. probably. 10
invoke the rule OF the caucus that the
vote of two-thirds shall be binding on
all. The caucus has committed TO the
majority members of the Finance Com
mittee the responsibility or fixing the
clauses OF the tarirf bill shall go into
effect. The committee will report thesa
dates later, subject to the approval OF
the caucus
Democratic leaders realize that they
have nothing TO fear from Democrats
who will vote against the tariff bill on
its final passage. hey do not expect
that more than two Senators from their
party will vote against it-Ransdell and
Thornton, of Louisiana-and even these
may not do so. IL was learned that the
two Louisiana Senators had asked the
Democratic caucus TO refrain from TAX
ing any action to commit them until
they can have an opportunity to COM
municate with their constituents in
Louisiana, and. IL possible. secure n re-
lease from pledges they have mane that
they will not support any tariff bill that
provides for free sugar.
What the Democratic leaders really
fear is the effect OF amendments that
may be offered in the Senate. The votes
cast in opposition to free sugar and free
wool in the caucus showed that II Sena-
tors are free TO vote their individual
preferences. the Republicans will be able
TO command sufficient strength from the
Democratic side TO put a revenue duty
on both wool and sugar. What the Demo-
cratic caucus is now considering Is a
plan to bind Democratic Senators from
voting for amendments TO restore the
duty on these two articles.