Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-12
FIGHT IN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS
TO BE SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS
CONTESTS OVER QUESTION.
PROTECTED INTERESTS IN
HOUSE FORM COMBINATION
Will Be Able to Put Up Formidable
Fisnt-Farmsrs, Fruit Growers and
Sugar Interests Combine to Stand
For Protection to Their Industries -
Will Be in Minority in Senate.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, March 12.-Signs multi
ply that the coming session of con-
gress on the tariff is not going to be
greatly different from other congress
sional sessions on that subject. The
log-rolling has already started.
1t may be that the influence of the
democratic leaders in congress and the
influence Of the White House Will be
able to check this business of log-roll-
ms. But it is not yet apparent that It
will be possible to stop it. The COM
oination of groups of members from
different regions Of the country eager
for protection on some particular pro-
ducts is as natural as it Is for birds Of
a feather to flock together. 1t has al
ways been prevalent in tariff sessions
heretofore and probably will be in the
coming session.
Formidable Combination in House.
The combination which is being
formed in the house will be formid-
able one if 1t can be perfected. The ut.
tempt is being made to enlist In it the
democratic members from the north
west, whose constituents will no. stand
for having the farmer stripped nf pre-
lection; the members from the citrus
fruit regions of California and Flor
ida: the opponents Of free sugar from
Louisiana and the beet sugar states;
the opponents of free rice; the demo-
Gratis who favor lumber duty: the
democrats from the cattle and Livestock
regions who are opposed to fres cattle
and free meats: the New England
democrats and some OF the democrats
from the south who oppose low rates
on cotton and textiles generally. DEM
oerats from Pennsylvania aid West
Virginia opposed 10 free coal will be
enlisted also If possible.
In short, wherever a democrat can be
found whose constituents are demand
ing that he must make it mis- business
t. keep up certain duties. he viii be
drawn into the combination OF the log
rolling members. The protection DEM
ocra,s ilope thus to be able to control
tn, democratic caucus in the house.
They already figure the support OF
frcE, seventy-five to 100 democrats is
assured.
Protsetionist Minority in Senate
In the senate, on a smalle. scale, a
combination will also be attempted. I.
will not be able to control the senate
democratic caucus and the probable
tiles are the protection democrats Will
be in a minority in the house caucus.
in spite of their optimistic express
sions.
However, If the democrats who are
insisting on certain duties being kept
up on articles produced in their dis
tricts are willing to go to the lengths
of refusing to Join in the party caucus
es on legislative matters, they will have
the whip hand. BY taking this course
they can dominate the situation. 9th
erwise, they will probably be defeated.
That some Of the more energetic OF
the democrats who believe In protec-
ton are seriously considering boltlne
the caucus action or refusing to go into
caucus OH tariff bills is known. Wheth-
er they will have the nerve to carry out
such a plan is another matter.
Will Rage Around Free Meats.
All the indications are that one OF
the great struggles of the tariff SEES
sion will rage around the question OF
free meats. Pressure from the cities
and centers Of population for free
meats is intense. Unless the demo-
fcult to see how they will fulfill the
pledge to lower the cost OF living. on
the other hand. II meats are made free
and cattle admitted free. or even meets
alone put on the free list, there Will Dc
a protest from the farming interests OF
the country and the cattle interests OF
the west and southwest that Will be OF
no small import politically. The truth
is the question of what to do about
meats is one of the things that is put
ting gray hairs in the heads OF the
democratic leaders. They do not know
what will happen If they fail to AFFORD
free meats and they fear the sentiment
OF the farming and livestock commun-
tiles if they grant free meats. Whiie
moi much mas been said about y. tne
free meats question Is even haroer o.
solution than free sugar. free wool ana
most Of the other features Of the pros
nactive free list.