Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-24
SENATE AND HOUSE
DEBATE ON TARIFF
Members Seek to Hold Back
Speeches Until Near End
of the Discussion.
REPUBLICANS ARE SPLIT
OVER COTTON SCHEDULE
Expect to Straighten Out Their Diff
ferences at the Caucus Which Is
to Be Held Tonight.

Tariff discussion was on again today on
both the Senate and House sides of the
Capitol. There were informal conferences
between senators, and the House met an
hour earlier than usual.
The House republicans will confer at
their caucus tonight, when they purpose
to settle upon their policy as to the cotton
schedule. The caucus already has voted
in favor of the wool schedule prepared
by Representative Payne, but the cotton
schedule has been delayed through what
Representative Gardner of Massachusetts
has explained to be inability of his sub
committee of the ways and means minor
ity to agree. Mr.. Gardner expected to be
ready with the plan tonight.
Representative Peters of Massachu-
sets. a member of the ways and means
committee majority which framed the
democratic bill, was among the speak
ers on the democratic side today, pre-
senting an elaborate argument IN de-
Tense of the committee measure.
Want to Delay Speeches.
Leaders of all three parties have been
confronted with a disposition of their col
leagues to delay speeches until the latter
part of the time allotted to general de-
bate. which will expire Monday night. :,
Before the debate was resumed Sena-
tors Ransdell and Thornton of Louisiana
and two Louisiana sugar growers called
on Majority Leader Underwood ana
pleaded for more time before the pro-
posed % per cent reduction on sugar
goes into effect
The senators declared it would afford
considerable relief to the industry of
Louisiana if the sugar reduction could
off before October
next, instead of Immediately upon the
bill becoming a law.
Mr. Underwood, it is understood. told
his visitors that the request could not be
entertained. Representative Hammond
of Minnesota opened the days discussion
in support of the bill.
Urges Middle Course.
After a long involved discussion of the
various tariff theories, Representative
Hammond urged a middle course between
high protection and absolute free trade.
Mr.. Hammond quoted from the tariff
report of Secretary of the Treasury
Walker in 1916. setting forth the princi-
pie of tariff for revenue only
He undertook to show that the Under
wood bill was drawn strictly IN accord
ance with this principle
Mr. Hammond pointed out that the
committee, in framing the bill. had taken
into consideration the growth of the eX-
port trade Of the United States
In Favor of Free Flour.
In a detailed discussion of rates, Mr..
Hammond Endorsed the placing of flour
on the free list. He explained the
keeping of the duty on wheat while
wheat -four was placed on the free
list, showed that as a manufacturing
proposition the millers of this country
We're able to buy American wheat,
grind it into flour and compete with
the finished product in the markets of
the world.
He pointed out that the revenue de-
rived from the duty on wheat was nee
essary, and that the reduction from
20 cents a bushel to 10 cents a buShei
would enable the millers to secure
the necessary wheat at a price that
would allow them to compete with for
eign manufacturers.