Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-11
Public Invited To Be Present and
Hear Democratic Bill Branded
as Free Trade Measure,
WILSON PUTS SENATE IN LINE
Visit to Committee Has Whole
some EffeCt-Louisiana Men
Still on Warpath.

WASHINGTON, april ia re"
publican caucus or conference with
DOORS thrown wide open and the gen
eral public invited in to hear party
questions discussed was the innova-
ton that faced official Washington
to-day. A caucus or conference will
be held tonight. at which it is ex-
pected a resolution to this effect will
become operative.
The meeting has been called pri-
marily to decide what attitude the
Republican party should adopt on the
Underwood tariff bill, and it is as
serted that the Republicans will adopt
policy of passive resistance by Of
fering as an amendment to the I'm
derwood bill a measure providing for
a scientific tariff board.
The Republican forces propose to
put the Democratic party in the atti-
tudc. if they can do so. of removing
all protection to American industries
and substituting therefor a practi-
eauy free trade measure.
No Treaty Violations.
The Democratic Senators scott a
the idea that the Underwood bill vio-
latss trade agreements with foreign
countries and are prepared To combat
any arguments that may be advanced
from the opposition.
It is the feeling in the Senate thai
President Wilson's appearance before
inc Ways and Means Committee was
not without it's good effect That
body now has gotten down to actual
consideration Of the bill schedule by
schedule The President has made
his position plain to the committee
and with this knowledge the mem
bers to a greater or less extent viii
he guided in connection with any
changes they may make. phe stumb-
ling block from the beginning has
been sugar and wool. and these items
will be passed over until the rest OF
the bill has been acted upon, when
the real contest will begin.
Five Louisiana Democratic Repre-
sentatives, according to Representa-
tive Broussard, will vote against the
DILL on final passage if the present
provision for free sugar at the end Of
three years is not eliminated.
Fight to Delay Effect of Bill.
A determined effort is to be made
by the Democrats to amend the Sec
ton Of the bill which provides that il
shall go into effect the day after ii is
signed by the President. Representa-
live Hammiu. of New Jersey; Repre-
sentative Rothermel. of Pennsylvania,
and other administration Democrats
plan to offer an amendment postpon-
ing the date of effectiveness until six
months after final passage. Hammill
declared to-day it would be unfair 10
wooden and cotton manufacturers TO
have the bill go into effect at once.
According to Representative Spark
man, of Florida. the Democrats from
his State will stay in line for the bill,
despite the reduction of duties on
oranges. The Florida Congressmen,
however, will make an effort TO raise
the duties on grapefruit. which have
been cut in half by the Underwood
committee.
The reduction in duties on under
wear from 20 per cent TO % per cent
is to be hotly contested. \ number
OF Congressman say the rate on un-
derwear should be between 40 and 81
ser cent.
Fordney Raps Tariff Bill.
representative Fordney. Of Mich |
lsan. Republican member of the Ways
and Means Committee. issued a state /
ment to-day in which he declared that
n the Underwood bill is passed in
IT'S present form it viii be disastrous
TO farmers and laborers." Mr.. Ford !
ney also believes il viii not better the
conditions of the people. FOrdney as
serts the income tax will not pro-
oucs enough revenue to Offset the |
losses through drastic tariff revision. |
Representatives of the beet sugar |
and cane sugar manufacturers called |
al the White House to-day and pro-
tested against the Presidents demand |
for free sugar.
Former Governor Alva Adams, Of
colorado. informed the chief execu- /
i've that his State produces an i'm |
mense amount of beet sugar and tht /
placing Of this commodity on the free
.s- would hit the State hard. Gov
..Hor Adams also intimateJ 10 the !
eS-eens the Democrats would lose
-'"t many votes iu his state i'll
S"'# provisions were read into the
t-.I