South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-08-14
PLAN CAUCUS To
HURRY ALONG THE
TARIFF MEASURE
Possible That a Compromise to
Adjourn Until November if
Bill is Passed May be the
Result.

WASHINGTON. Aug. II Discus.
sion OF the agricultural schedule and
the proposed free listing Of wheat il
particular. enlivened the tariff dis
cussion Wednesday in the senate
Sen. Gronna Of North Dakota pro
posing in lieu of free wheat a duty OF
six cents a bushel
Action on the amendment was de-
ferred owing 10 prolonged debate. a
fact which again aroused democratic
leaders to a realization of the neccs-
sity for some action TO speed I'D con-
sideration of the measure. if possible
To this end q democratic caucus
has been called for Thursday. when
plans for expediting the bill will be
discussed and a proposal viii be made
for an agreement that a recess OF
congress be taken until Nov ! after
the passage of the tariff bill in the
senate and the currency bill in the
house
This some democrats assert would
induce republicans TO cut short dis
cuSsion of the tariff and would also
overcome all democratic opposition to
currency legislation at the special ses-
sion.
Debate on the free listing Of wheat
came 10 a climax late in the day
when Sen. Borah OF Idaho, referring
TO the cOuntervailing duty which the
democrats have proposed, asserted it
was the same as Canadian reciprocity
passed by the republicans TO the be-
trayal of the farmers of the country.
Like Canadian Bill.
we have heard a great deal Of
discussion" said Sen. Borah. about
the disposition Of the present incum-
bent of the white house TO enforce his
tariff Ideas upon congress. / am not
going 10 discuss that. l will only say
that if the republican senators had
voted their convictions when Canadian
reciprocity passed this body there
would not have been ten votes for il
on this side Of the chamber.
That was a disaster, a treacherous
betrayal Of as loyal a constituency as
a great political party ever had. Now
we have the same principle as reel
procity embodied in this bill 1t does
not impeach the democratic party of
L believe it will have the same effect"
Reverting to England for an illus
tratiOn of what free trade has done
for the farmers, Sen. BOrah presented
statistics TO show that in 1886 there
were 3,126, 600 acres in wheat in Eng
land and only $4,000 acres at the
present time; 1,S77.000 acres in bar
ley in 1866, and $500 acres at the
present time.
Means Destruction.
This ratio, continuing" Sen. Borah
asserted, would mean the ultimate
destruction of the British empire.
80 long as the people are crowding
to the cities and those conSeSted CEN
tiers are becoming more deplOrable
day by day, 1t is the duty Of the
American government not only
this legislation but in every
other way to encourage the people
to enter the agricultural field. l am
in favor of paying a bounty If neces-
sary to encourage the agricultural in
dustry."
Sen. williams declared that he did
not want TO see the American gov
eminent rob the poor in order to en-
rich the landlords and he believed
and hoped that the result Of free list
ing farm products would lower the
price Of bread and meat and open
the farmers eyes 10 the fact that the
party had been fOOling
them about the virtues Of protection
for years.