The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-03
Nebraska Senator Leaves
Caucus When Amendment
Is Voted Down
STILL REMAINS
LOYAL TO PARTY
Body in Turmoil When the Senator
Leaves Room-Leaders Issue
Statements Explaining
Caucus Action

Washington, July when Senator
Hitchcock of Nebraska withdrew from
the democratic tariff caucus today be-
cause that body voted down his amend
ment that would put a graduated in
come tax-on tobacco production, he pre-
cipltated the liveliest time the Senate
democrats have had since they began
consideration of the tariff measure.
Senator Hitcheock's revolt. which he
later declared did not mean that he
had withdrawn from the party or that
lie would not support the party meas
ure, served to determine that there will
be binding resolution passed by the
caucus TO refrain from introducing any
amendment not proposed by the finance
committee majority and not TO support
any amendments offered from the re-
publican side
Anticipated Action
. 1t was because he anticipated sucf
a resolution that the Nebraska sen.
ator announced that he could not re-
main in the caucus because he intend
ed to Introduce his tobacco tax amend
ment In the Senate and 10 lead a fight
there for Its adoption. When, in thu
course of his talk to the caucus, ths
senator announced his decision and tht
reasons therefor. many of his col
leagues who had supported him in th'
vote on his amendment pleaded witt
him to remain in the room There wal
ef
ter senator urged Mr. Hitchcock no
to go out, assuring that he could bi
granted the privilege of bringing III
his amendment without taking such ;
drastic course.
Senator Hitchcock declared. however
that there was no other course opei
and left the room while the excitemen
was at it's height.
The vote on the amendment was 2.
to 1S, the senators supporting being
Ashurst, Bacon. Clarke of Arkansas
Fletcher Hitchcock. Hollis, Kern. Lea
MARITIME, MIXERS Newlands, O'Gorman
PomereRe, Robinson. salisbury. shep
psrd Shields and Vardaman. All tn
members of the finance COMMITTEE
voted against the amendment.
Statements Issued
After the excitement had calmet
down statements were issued by Sen.
ator Simmons. chairman of the financ,
committee, who opposed the amend.
ment, and Senator Kern. chairman o
the caucus who supported it. Senator
Simmons said:
The caucus declined to adopt the so
called Hitchcock amendment to the tariff
bill principally because it did not con
slider it wise to attempt in a tariff meas
ure to deal with the trust evil. It was
felt that the trust question should b,
dealt with as a separate one as soon a,
il could be reached and only after sucl
thorough and mature consideration as tn.
great importance of the subject required
Moreover, such consideration could no
now be given to it by the finance com
mittee, the caucus and the Congress
without unduly delaying final action upor
the tariff bill and disappointing the pub
lie desire for its early settlement"
THE vote on Senator Hitchcock
amendment" said Senator Kern, has M
Significance as indicating any sympath,
with the tobacco trust any othei
monopoly on the part of any member oi
the conference: on the contrary, ther,
action on that subject. Nearly all wht
opposed the resolution based their actor
upon the theory that the tariff bill SHOULD
not be loaded down with general legisla
ton and especially with legislation d
rected against one trust and affectinl
none of the others.
"All agreed that every democratic plat
from pledge on the subject of trusts ant
monopolies should be faithfully carried
,attt bt- ct .1ra 80
that purpose
Caucus Adjourned
Tonight the caucus adjourned until to
morrow afternoon, when it will have be
date for the sugar tariff to become eff
fective. The majority of the finance com
mittee will meet in the morning to con
slider the child labor resolution, the tim
for making effective the wool schedul
and some odds and ends of the bill. I
was stated tonight that there was noy
no disposition in the committee to chang
the date of effectiveness for the voc
schedule and the recommendation of tn
committee to the caucus probably wi
be that the wool rates become effectjy
Immediately after the passage of the bill
Modification of the amendment cham
pioned by Senators Hughes and Thoma.
to prohibit the entry of goods manufac
tured by child labor, which was referre
back to the finance committee Is as
sured. 1t was indicated tonight that whe
the committee got through with it, tn
claim could not be made that 1t was a
impediment to American trade or protec
tion to American manufacturers.
Senator Simmons said that the com
pleted bill would be reported to the Ser
ate next Monday or Tuesday togethe
/ with the committee report and that tn
caucus would complete consideration {
the measure Friday or Saturday.