Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-14
WILSON A MEDIATOR
Expected to Settle Congress
Differences on Tariff.
LEARNS OF PROPOSED BILL
House Schedule Makers Submit
Work to President.
UNCERTAINTY IN THE SENATE
Attitude of Republican Progressives
Not Yet Determined-Free Lists
!. May Start Fight.
LEARNS OF PROPOSED BILL
UNCERTAINTY IN THE SENATE

Chairman Underwood and his demo-
cratic colleagues of the ways and means
committee are invoking the attention of
President Wilson to their precious nurs-
ling, the new tariff bill, which they are
soon to exhibit in its swaddling clothes
to the admiration-or criticism-of a
democratic caucus. Some trimmings are
likely to be put on that baby's garments
hefore it traverses both wings of the
Capitol
1t promises to be a case of fireman,
save me che-ild,' as between the ways
and means committeeman and the Presi-
dent, for in the end the President is ex-
pected to be compelled by circumstances
to compose acute differences between the
House and Senate and between ultra
radical and conservative democratic fac
tions
The tariff makers are therefore submit
ting their work to the President and he
is familiarizing himself with the details
of actual legislation as differentiated
from the theory of the tariff
Care in Preparation.
1t is fact that no tariff bill was ever
technical detail than the one now On the
stocks. and it is doubtful if any previous
measure ever had quite so complete con-
sideration in some phases. The ways
aHA means committee has practically
gone twice over the preliminary work,
once in the original hearing and de-
bates on the bills which met defeat in
the last session and again in the hear
ings commencing last December.
ho hot fvyn
RODS of consideration of the same SUBJ
jects the committee had the benefit of
expert investigation by its clerks. of in
formation furnished by the tariff board
and the second thought of manufacture
ers and importers whose attention had
been attracted by the committees work
in the first instance.
When it comes to the "show down. be-
tween the House and Senate, therefore.
the House managers will have the ad-
vantage over the Senate in possessing
more technical familiarity with the bin.
In the Senate itself there are many new
senators who will be unfamiliar with the
subject and who will have to depend
Uncertain Element.
The uncertain element in the Senate
situation will be the attitude of the re-
publican progressives. Senator La Fol-
iCttC 10 O. III cAPcit, CcHdeOk
has given the subject profound attention,
Senator Cummins is deep thinker on
the tariff and other prominent progress
sives are keeping well posted.
1t is by no means certain that the ad-
ministration can count upon the un-
deviating support of the progressive re-
publicans for its tariff program. These
men are republicans and the republican
party has not yet abandoned the theory
of a protective tariff. 1t is declared that
while unqLestionably favoring sharp re-
ductions in existing schedules, the pro-
gressive republicans will not assent to
an out and out tariff for revenue only
policy.
The agricultural schedule threatens to
be the bone of contention in both houses.
The farmers free list is proposed by
the House democrats to placate the
farmers-that is. placing on the free list
many articles of necessary use and daily
right as far as it goes. some senators
say, but there is another free list
which is very Objectionable to the farm
ers-the placing of their own products
in the non-dutiable schedule.
Where Shoe Will Pinch.
That is where the shoe will pinch and
where President Wilson with his COM
promise stretcher and pacificatfon
powder will be called upon. OF course,
all tariff legislation is based on the give
and take principle, but each faction is
intent upon doing as much taking and
as little giving as possible.
The tariff experts admit that in many
of the schedules the proposed reductions
Of duty will make but small difference
| to the ultimate consumer. They will be
| absorbed by the middleman and the re-
| taller. 1t is conceded by many that
sugar on the free list will not make
| much difference in the housekeeper s
| monthly bills at the grocery store, and
the reduction on cotton goods will not
| show materially In the bargain prices on
| white goods In the show windows.
| The wool schedule Is so delicately ad-
justed. with so many correlated duties
| for wool grower, the washer, the spin
ner and the weaver, that while free wool
would be felt by the sheep raiser, lower
duties on cloth might close some mills.
and all that sort Of thing, it is q question
just how much relief the man who buys
a suit of clothes will get in the end, be-
cause each of the intermediate stages of
production absorbs a part.
Benefit Is Expected.
That is not alone the argument of the
protectionists. but is admitted by the
tariff reductionists themselves. In the
sum total. however the reductionists ex-
pect trade conditions to adjust them
selves to the new rates to the benefit OF
some portion of the public. and, any
how, it is admitted by many that the
large proportion of existing rates are in
excusably too high and ought to be cut
/ When the new bill Is reported to the
House 1t will be accompanied by a state
ment showing the estimated revenues to
be produced by importations based upon
experience and probable course of trade
No reasonable estimate of the national
finances can be made, however until the
Senate has had its way with the rates
and the prospective law takes shape
Until that occurs 1t is not probable tina,
headway can be made with the income
tax bill, although its framework is al
most completed. and only the rate o1
taxation remains to be agreed upon.
Dies of Pneumonia Contracted Here
ELKINS. w. Va, March 14-Mis.
Charlotte Lee Wilson, practically all he
l;fa connected with the Office of fh,