The Hawaiian gazette., 1913-05-23
THE SENATE AND THE PRESIDENT.

While IN. eypeced seven Democratic senators have not
vot ain come out into the open against the sugar and
tho wool schedules of the Underwood Bill, every ndica
tiou oins ia the fact that they will he out, fairly and
snuarel opains the tariff it stands, just as
soon as the actual necessity arises. 1t is just certain
t,ot tbev will not out and bolt the party unless
the actual necessity arises and that there VIII be no bolt
at al if the President be persuaded TO accept
nromise on the two schedules The Washington CORE
snondent of the Louisiana Planter whom this paper has
frequently quoted and whose sizing up of things has
always been more less authoritative discusses the at
tit,de of fine senate under date of May Z, saying:
''o the casual observer there IS little change IN the
smear situation in Washington and yet to those accus-
TONED to making an anal tical study of things polite,
there is clarifying of the atmosphere far the
schedule is concerned The President still maintains his
seadas adherence to free sugar in three years but in
stead of saving in plain language, he did before the
bill was considered i'll the house, that II the domestic
sugar industry did accept his proposition fora twenty
five per cent reduction with free in three years
he would force through both houses bill placing sugar
on the free list Immediately, he is now taking more
subtle position
sWhen six Of the Western senator's called upon him
recently to express their opposition to the wool and sugar
schedules in the house bill, Mr.. Wilson listened aten-
tivey closing the conference with the implied hope that
the senate Democrats would the measure and
saying that if the caucus should decide to make any
changes in either of these schedules he would abide by
the decision. At first glance, this would to be
concession the wool and industries but another
very reasonable construction be placed upon the
President remarks. Far from being recession from
his original POSITION ii evidently IS the dcSlfe OF Mr.
Wilson to get these six senators to agree to
in the senate and abide by the decision OF the major
ity believing that majority in the caucus would up
hold his frccSugar-inh reeyears policy. In this way
their hands would be tied and they would be estopped
from attacking the measure the floor of the senate
from voting against any of its provisions upon its
final passage.
''Mr Wilson's Subtlety, however undoubtedly is dis
cernibc at least by of the senators participating
in the conference Not that it be predicted that any
of them will 20 to the extent of boiling the caucus i'll
held but they did not swallow the bait, hook
and line by any means None OF them is willing to talk
about the interview with the President in fact it is under
stood that all pledged to secrecy The only nforma
ton which allowed to leak out that very little
satisfaction derived from the interview.
In the senate for the past week, the subcommittee
of the committee finance has been giving preliminary
consideration to the house bill but yet hearings,
either public private have been held. This matter
to be held in allegiance for Chairman
Williams has minated that it is the intention of the
Subcommittee to consult treasury tariff
experts but what trend the testimony of the experts will
take it impossible TO say. Senator Williams has
been free trader but the contrary always has been
in favor of tariff for II, therefore, is con
lecturcd by some that he will endcavor TO cXpe!
estimates of the revenue which will be derived under
the revised schedules and under the income tax
feature of the bill
GAS far the general outlook in the senate is con
cerncd there is peculiar aspect and that is the et
of many Democratic senators to express them
selves on the sugar question Evidently few of them
desire to put themselves record before the bill is
taken up for consideration in the upper body What
tins retccnce may is causing good deal of
lecture 1t may augur much for either side of the ques
ton but 1t would that if these senator's had made
up their minds to stay by the party the sugar and
wool schedules they would have no hesancy in saying
So AT least the friends of these industries trying to
secure some consolation in this thought"