The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-04-18


Wv came in for its first attack in
the senate today, and the skir-
mish outlined the scope and vigor of
the fight that will be made against it
by Republican forces when tariff dis
cussion begins IN the two houses.
Backed by requests from many inter
ests for hearings on certain sections Of
the Underwood bill, Republican sena-
tors made q demand upon members Of
the finance committee for hearings, and
openly attacked the "secret legisla-
tloni now going on in the Democratic
caucus Of house members.
Democratic senators who replied to
the attack made it clear that the
finance committee does not plan to
grant any public hearings.
Claims of Democrats.
Senators Williams and Stone in
sisted full hearings had been given by
the house committee before the bill was
prepared, while Republican senators de.
clared that these hearings had been of
little value, because the rates of the
Underwood bill were not then known.
With many complaints and objections
before them, Republican members of
the senate are preparing for general
attack on all schedules of the bill. Sen
ator Smoot has put two experts at work
to analyze the Underwood bill and pre-
vious measures, to give the protection.
lists basis for their fight. Other Re-
publicans who claim that important in
dustries would be wiped out by the
Underwood bill. will insist that busi-
ness men and laboring men should have
a hearing before the new bill is passed.
Work of Caucus.
The Democratic house caucus worked
over the Underwood bill throughout the
day, upholding the Democratic house
leaders and President Wilson upon alI
contested points. The woolcn schedule
was under fire throughout the days
| session. Attempts to put ready.made
clothing on the free list and to alter
other rates in the bill were defeated
Representative Underwood addressed
the members on the scope Of the bill and
its effect. He declared that reductions
in wool rates undoubtedly would iniure
some factories, but that it would bene-
| fit tho industry as whole. Certain
factories Of old equipment and less ad-
vanced business methods, Mr.. Under
wood said, probably would be forced
out Of business. Such concerns, he
argued, were not economically entitled
to live, and with them out of the day,
| the industry as a whole would benefit.
Free List Considered.
Late In the day, after the wool sched-
ule had been approved without change.
the caucus disposed In short order Of the
| silk. pulp paper and sundry schedules,
voting down all proposed amendments.
The free list was under considera ton
when the Democrats adjourned until to-
morrow
| Representative Bathricle of Ohio moved
to place manufactured wool and clothing
on the free list instead of being duti-
able at 35 per cent ad valorem, The
amendment was voted down, 6S to 50.
Another motion by Representative Bath
rick to reduce the duty on ready-Inade c
clothing to 10 per cent also was lost
| Representative Decker Of Missouri
criticised the ways and means committee
and other members Of the house. deciar-
Ing that new men were not given oppor-
tudty to express their views. Represcn-
tatiye Thomas Of Kentucky replied that
new members, II they had sufficient
| knowledge about tho situation, should
come forward with their information
rather than criticise the committee
Wilson Commended.
Commencing President Wilson for his
part IN the making OF the tariff bill,
Mr. Thomas said;
This city has been besieged by lob
byists, corporation lawyers. and manu-
facturers. who came here telling this
committee what thy thought ought to he
done with the tariff Members of con-
gress have told the committee what they
thought I want to say . you that the
president of the United States has just
as much right as any other citizen TO
tell what he thinks and out OF 1000
, items, he only expressed his opinion on
| two"
In the pulp and paper schedule. Repre-
sentative OLeary OF New York wanted
to increase the rate of 10 por cent on
pictures. calendars. books. pamphlets. en-
cravings and etchings To- 25 per cent. but
Continued on Pago Four.)