The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-31
NOT PARTIAL TO HOME SHIPS.
TARIFF DISCOUNT ON AMERICAN
VESSELS MUST GO.
Congress Does Not Wish to Insist up
on Legislation Embarrassing to
Foreign COuntricS-CO Committee will
Recommend Il Change i'm Tariff.

provisions in the Underwood tariff
Dill granting a per cent tariff dis
count on imports in American owned
or controlled vessels.
That the provision can be eliminat-
ed from the bill without harm and
that congress has no desire to insist
upon Legislation that will be embar-
RAISING to foreign nations or inter.
fere with treaty obligations was ad-
mitted today by administration lead
ers who are in charge Of the bill.
President Wilson is said to have init.
mated that he would not object to
having the clause eliminated.
This action, it was reported. would
be recommended by the senate
finance subcommittee headed by Sena-
tor John Sharpe Williams, which is
considering the administrative fea-
lures of the bill. The subcommittee
also will seek to modify another
cause which compels foreign mer-
chants to submit their books to an
American agent in case of disputed
valuations and provides as penalty
for refusal that the goods be exclud-
ed from entry.
Germany, France and England have
made strong protests against this
clause and assurances were given to-
day that an effort will be made to
eliminate the object IN bl., faotrro,
Two important conferences were
held today on the foreign protests
One was between Senator Simmons
chairman of the finance committee
and Secretary Bryan and John Bas-
sett Moore, counsellor of the state
department. The other conferees wre.
Senators Williams and Shively of the
finance committee, and Representa-
tive Peters of Massachusetts. who had
charge of the administrative sections
Tor the house ways and means COM
mittee 1t was reported that the
state department held il TO be un-
questionable that the 8 per cent re-
duction clause violated the foreign
treaties. During the conference pro-
tests against the clause from eight
nations were read.
1t was generally expected tonight
That the house would yield to the SEN
ate striking out the clause.
AS the senate subcommittee got
down to bed rock today and began
consideration of proposed changes in
the bill they found a long lob ahead
OF them. Spurred on to finish tn.
schedules within week if possible.
they seemed determined to hold day
ana night executive sessions, but
some of them feared that even in this
way they would be unable to be
ready for the full committee within
10 days.
Several Democratic leaders were
emphatic in declaring that whatever
was done by the committees there
would be no changes in raw wool or
sugar.
The fight to change them will be
maintained in the caucus. but the
prospects are that administration
forces will not yield there.
Representative Hull of Tennessee
author of the income tax section of
the bill, was in conference with Sen.
ators Williams and Shively for several
hours, going over the protests which
have been fild.
Mr.. Hull pointed out later that the
two features of the section which
nave been under fire were the clauses
liking the graduated tax, the surtax
upon incomes over $4,000, and the
provisions for taxing dividends of in
surance companies.
Both Of these provisions are bc
Hond criticism in my opinion" Mr..
Hun said. The graduated tax has
been approved by the federal iudi
ciary in the New Jersey district court
and the court of appeals sustained the
validity of such graduated tax plan"
me senate committee, however. will
study the insurance feature of the
hll very thoroughly and some mem
bers are reported not to be satisfied
with its provisions rs affecting mutual
companies.
Senator Pittman of Nevada, accom-
panied by Mr.. Hughes of New Jersey.
called at the White House today and
told the president that he did not hold
the views of his colleague, Senator
N"wlands, relating to the tariff bill.
He is counted upon to support the
administration on sugar and wool.