The evening times., 1913-05-19
TARIFF MEASURE
ALL-|N||'I||EREST|NC I
SENATE QUESTION
Many Make Conjectures Re-
garding Action of Finance
Committee on Bill.
KERN RESOLUTION
MAY BE VOTED ON
His Attempt to Have Legislative In
vesugation of:sWcst Virginia Coal
Strike Region Still was Unfinished
Business When Session Convened.


Washington, May Ex-senator
Nern's resolution to investigate con-
ditions in the West Virginia coal
strike region again was the unfinish-
ed business when the senate met to-
day and, although several senators
planned to discuss the ned for an in
quiry. the vote is expected before aa-
journment.
Senators opposing the inquiry reso-
!utlons IN their present form planned
to have it referred to the labor com
planned to discuss the need for an in
vestigation should be conducted.
Discuss Wilson's Stand.
The effect OF President Wilson'S
pubic declaration that there would
be no compromise on free wool and
Tree sugar in three years in the new
tariff bill, has been the subject of
constant discussion since the chief
executive made his pronunciamento in
the presence of the assembled news
paper correspondents last week.
Administration leaders declare that
the presidents vigorous assertion has
served to strengthen the party line
up In the senate and they point to
the vote on the question of the Dublic
hearings of the tariff bill as an indi-
cation of the solidarity of the ma
jority.
DeioiS eHe president came out so
strongly in the face of the tremend-
GUS lobby influence that completely
surrounds the capitol. the legislative
ar was surcharged with uncertainty.
On every hand was heard the report
tnat the finance committee was plan
ming to put. duty on wool or to cut
out three year free sugar provision
and to leave sugar at the end of a
three year period with small tariff.
President Tightcns Reins.
SO thick and rast did the rumors
ny that they penetrated the executive
once and the president. himself, be-
that he decided that a little tighten
Ing OF the party ropes would do no
harm. Taking affirm grip on the exc
cutive end Of the strings that lead
to capitol hill he called in the cor
respondents and IN their presence
gave strong pulI up To that time
several democrats had been reported
lie hearings. which would mean the
prolongation of the tariff discussion
with additional tiue for lobby mani
pulation and for activity by the re-
publican opposition. At least five
democrats were considering voting for
the Penrose-Lafollette amendment.
But the president re-affirmed his de-
termination to stand by the schedules
Which he virtually dictated into the
tariff bill, only Senators Ransdell and
Thorton of Louisiana broke through
the party lines to remain outside un-
til the end.
Another Discussion.
Another phase of the tariff discus
sion in the senate served as a further
indicator of the exact situation. That
was the Interpretation of the demo-
cratic platform as relating to free
sugar given by Senator Ollie James
of Kentucky as the spokesman for
the administration. When the Louisi-
ana senators attempted to put Presi-
dent Wilson and the party on record
tive head of the party took notice
again. and on Friday morning Senator
James delivered What amounted to a
fiat denial of the allegations made by
the insurgent democrats, who are
fighting to break up the majority on
the sugar schedule.
Senator James declared that the
party did favor free sugar; that it
campaigned on that issue, and, with
the knowledge of the president, he
challenged any one to find man who
would truthfully assert that Woodrow
Wilson ever said he opposed free
sugar. Again the administration
scored.
Now the democrats Of the senate
have the tariff bill to themselves.
For two or perhaps three weeks the
bill will be in the hands Of the finance
committee and. whatever other
schedules may be altered. the assur-
ance has gone ont that no change in
wool or sugar will be recommended
when the bill reaches the party eau
Gus. There, behind closed doors, the
democratic senators will have their
final conference on the bill. The eau
Gus, it is understood. will be binding
one. Western senators who would
like to see a tariff on wool and those
who want change in sugar will
make their last stand.
Some Talks of Changes.
There are some that believe that
CONTINUED on Page 81