The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-26
Sugar Schedule as Reported
Approved by Vote of
40 to 6 in Caucus
FREE WOOL is
ALSO CARRIED
Ratification of Wilson's Tariff Policy
Comes After Long Series of De-
velOpments-Six Democrats
Vote Against Sugar

Washington June 25.-Free sugar in
1916. and free raw wool are now estab-
ished in the tariff revision BILL having
been approved late today by democratic
caucus of the Senate, after a two days
fight. The sugar schedule as reported
by the majority members of the finance
committee and practically as it passed
the House was approved by a vote of 40
to g. Free raw wool as submitted by
House, swept the Senate caucus by a
vote of Il to 6.
This ratification of President Wilson'S
tariff policy, he having insisted upon the
wool and sugar propositior.s before the
ways and means committee in the begin
ming, came after long series of develop
House in which the President had an
active participant. When the fight of
the anti-free sugar and anti-free wool
democrats was getting hot the President
issued public statement declaring that
any suggestion of compromise on the wool
and sugar schedules ideas was absolutely
out of the question and he stirred all adj
ministration leaders to action wnen he
made his charge about the existence in
Washington of an "insidious lobby" In
vestigp ton of which has brought results
regarded as favorable to the tariff bill.
Vote For Free Sugar
The six democratic senators who voted
against free sugar or the final vote ar-
proving the schedule we've Hitchcock,
Nebraska, Newlands, Nevada Ransdeil
and Thornton. Louisiana: Shafroth of
Colorado; Walsh of Montana.
The six who opposed free raw wool
to the end were Chamberlain of Oregon;
Newands, Nevada Ransdell and Thorn
ton, Louisiana; Shafroth and Walsh.
No attempt was made IN the caucus
today to bind the members to the action
of the caucus. The question will come
up when the entire bill has been passed
upon. Some members fight it, but ad-
ministration leaders said tonight they
believed only the two Louisiana senators
would ask to be released from the caucus
pledge if one is submitted. The general
opinion is that a binding resolution will
:.
be offered
Approval of the schedules came after
prolonged discussion and after several
amendments had been voted down. On
some OF the amendments the opposition
showed more strength. the maximum be-
ing 10 votes for Senator Shafroths amend
ment to the sugar schedule. This would
have eliminated free sugar and substi-
tuted duty of approximately one-half
cent pound on refined sugar. This
amendment was lost by vote of 81 to 10,
Senators Thompson, Chamberlain, Hitch
cock, Newlands, Shafroth, Lane, Rams
dell Thornton, Tiiman and Walsh voting
for it,
Amendment Offered
When this had been lost Senator
Thompson of Kansas offered an amend
ment to retain the Underwood rate for
three years, reducing it so per cent in 1916
and % per gent each succeeding year un-
til it reached the free list. Senators
Chamberlain, Fletcher, Hitchcock, New
lands, Shafroth, Thompson, Tillman and
Walsh supported this amendment. The
amendment offered by Senator Thornton
to eliminate the free sugar provision and
ne intain the Underwood rates indefinitely
was supported only by Senators Ransdell
and Thornton.
Senator Walsh offered the amendment
to the wool schedule. proposing a duty of
Is per cent advalorem on first class woods
and that woods of the second and third
classes. such as carpet and clothing wool,
be free. This was defeated, 80 to Z, sem
ators voting for it being Chamberlain.
Newlands, Ransdell, Shafroth, Thomp-
son, Thornton and Walsh. Three sem
ators were absent-Culberson, Owen and
Lewis
Discussion of the issues was lively al
day Senator'S Ransdell. Thompson, New
lands, Thornton, Lane and Shafroth took
up most of the time for the opposition.
while the chief administration defenders
We're Senators James, Thomas and Pom
Ell ene The arguments were long and the
weather hot, and most of the senators re-
moved their coats in the privacy of the
caucus room
When sugar and wool had been disposed
of the caucus ratified the committee
amendment placing hair of the Angora
goat on the free list. Consideration of
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