The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-25
Canvasses Details of New
Bill With Leader
Underwood
CONSIDERS MEANS OF
PASSING MEASURES
Party Caucus to Decide Method of
Revision-Wishes of President
Wilson Are Being Consulted
by the Leaders

Washington. March A.-President vii.
son started work in earnest tonight on
what he considers the foremost task OF
his administration-revis of the tariff
He had long conference at the White
House with Representative Underwood
the democratic majority leader and can
vassed not only the details of the tariff
bill drawn by the ways and means COM
mittee of the House, but gave considera-
tion also to the strategy to steer the tariff
question speedily and effectively through
both houses of Congress.
The question Immediately uppermost
in the minds of members of Congress now
is whether the tariff should be revised
schedule by schedule or in single tariff
bill. The party caucus will decide the
issue, but the wishes of the President
are being consulted by democratic lead
ers.
Other Measures Possible
The idea of coming to an agreement
on a single measure carrying with it the
weight of the administration approval
mas appealed strongly to the President be-
cause 1t suggested more expeditions ac-
tion and the possibility of legislation on
currency and other questions before the
adjournment of the extra session
Close friends and supporters of Mr. Will
son, both in the House and the Senate
however openly have been questioning
the advisabiity of a single tariff bill
renewing the objection hitherto raised
that sectional in this might bring about
enough defections among the democrats
in the Senate to defeat the measure They
faye urged fAat Dy the schedule by sche-
dule plan, enough republican votes can
be enlisted on those schedules wherein
there are democratic losses, to pass them
without difficulty though not as quickly
While Representative Underwood has
been understood of late to favor the sim
gle tariff bill idea, it is known that
other democratic leaders in the House
and members of the ways and means
committee hold the opposite view and
have hoped to convert Mr.. Underwood
to their way of thinking.
Discusses Issues
The President discussed the tariff today
with Senators Gore of Oklahoma and
Hughes of New Jersey, both of whom
favor the schedule by schedule process.
Senator Gore also talked with the Pres
ident about his failure to secure men of
ability with sufficient means to enable
them to accept diplomatic positions. The
sepator suggested that perhaps Congress
,ie,l,t he
build embassies and legations and take
away the chief expense with which this
country's representatives, abroad here
tofore have been burdened. The Presi-
dent displayed much interest in possible
solution of the question.
Besides the official announcement that
Charles w. Eliot, president emeritus of
Harvard, had declined the ambas sador-
ship to Great Britain there was no definite
word at the White House as to probable
diplomatic appointments.
Secretary Tumulty declared that while
the President had a number of men un-
der consideration, only few had been
tentatively fixed upon for specific posts.
The only recess appointment thus far
made was that of John III. Rogers today
to become United States marshall for the
western district of Texas.
Former Senator Gardner Of Maine was a
White House caller He said that a week
ago he had been offered collectorship OF
the port of Portland, Me-, and that he
would accept the appointment White
House officials however, refused to con-
firm or deny this
The President shook hands with the
members of the Princeton baseball team.
expressing regret that he could not attend
their game with Georgetown today.
The President and Mr.. Underwood
were in conference until shortly before
midnight. They had been STUDYING the
tariff bill for more than three hours.
1.-THE President and l are in hearty
accord" said the, democratic leader. as
he left the White House. 1--WE discussed
the tariff bill very fully"
Mr.. Underwood was asked whether the
President favored schedule by sche-
dule arrangement or single tariff bill.
"All | can say" he replied with a smile
'is that there are no material differences
between u.s.
Mr.. Underwood said he had taken 1p
"the general scope of legislation in
cluding income tax and revenue mea-
sures, but was not ready to make anv
announcements. He expressed his own
satisfaction with the bill as drawn by
the ways and means committee declar-
ing that while there We're some things
which he. like all individual congress-
men, might like to have changed he
nevertheless felt that he could cheer
fully support the whole bill Mr.. Under
wood added he had covered the ground
pretty well in his conference with the
President tonight and thought there
would be only minor details to take .tlp
at future conferences.
Mr.. Underwood said the President had
not yet begun writing his message. II
is believed, however. that having learned
In detail the purposes of party leaders
on tariff revision the President will be-
gin work at once on the document