The Washington times., 1913-04-12
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tective duty on the chief product Of hia
Mr.. Broussard offered the first Of four
amendments providing a sliding reduc-
ton in the present duty. This fnltlal
amendment proposed q duty OF S.R
and it was defeated by vote Of S6 to
is. The Louisiana member is now con-
sidering the practicabflity OF pressing
his other amendments which specify
lower duties down to approximately
S.20.
Cause Practically Lost.
II these amendments are not pressed
and It will be futile for Broussard to
insist upon them. the debate will center
for the remainder Of the day on the
Hardwick amendment removing all
duty from sugar Immediately upon the
passage of thee Underwood bill.
In the absence of any influence. direct
or otherwise, from the White House, 1t
is apparent that IL the ways and Means
Committee program of dutiable sugar
because OF the tremendous personal in
fiuence of members of the Ways and
Means Committee
The preliminary skirmish in the eau
Gus this afternoon demonstrated the
growing strength of the free sugar
grew downcast in proportion.
Congressman Broussard and Con-
gresham Seldomridge. the latter from
Colorado. made eloquent pleas today
free sugar meant the wrecking of a
great industry il their respective States.
On the other hand. Congressman Keat-
ing of Colorado favored the free sugar
propaganda.
No members of the Ways and Means
(,nmnniffaa IN oe ric 10 10
bill.
As soon as the sugar flght was
launched IN caucus, Congressman Brous-
sard, pleading for the sugar interests Ct
Louisiana. presented his amendments
for a sliding scale reduction and the
elimination Of the free sugar in three
years" proviso in the Underwood bill.
Congressman Hardwick, advocate of
immediate free sugar, then had read his
amendment proposing to remove the
duty from sugar instantly. and the light
was on.
The Broussard amendments accept
modified reductions in the present sugar
duties, with these reductions distributed
over a period of years in a manner
winch Mr.. Broussard asserted would
not wreck the Industry. The Louisiana
Member offered to accept a rate of
$l.G on IS degree sugar. to become ef-
fective with the passage of the BILL
Proposes Slight Cuts.
He proposed that on June 30. 1916,
there should be another slight cut to
de. and that on June 30. 1913. the rate
should be lowered to 1LN, at which
figure 1t should remain STATIONARY.
These rates average above the Under
wood proposal of Is per cent cut of
the present rate, which Is S1.6s on IS
degree sugar, and represented the only
compromise the Louisianians are willing
to take. The dutiable sugar men were
critical throughout of the Wlson-Un-
derwood program of a Is per cent cut
now and free sugar at the expiration of
three years.
Mr.. Broussard held up his sleeve.
however, a last stand amendmens
that free sugar shall not be-
come effective until the expiration OF
four years-but he will ask q vote on
this only in the event the caucus shows
a disposition to stand by
the committee.
OF course, If the Hardwick free sugar
is approved, the dutiable
sugar member of the House can only
decline to abide by the caucus action
and seek relief in the Senate.
Prior to the tender Of his free sugar
amendment, Mr.. Hardwick offered a
tentative proposition that IL the Ways
and Means Committee plan goes
through. free sugar shall become -f-
fective either on the first da yof May
Or October, 1916, instead of three years
from the passage of this bill" This
the Georgian explained, was
In the interest of wholesalers who must
carry large stocks during this period
for the canning season and who might
be discommoded by a change in the
midst Of their big orders.
Supplementary Amendment.
The supplementary Hardwick amend
nent, however, is put forward only as
, suggestion II both the Broussard
for a graded reduction and
he Hardwick amendment for immediate
free sugar shall fail. The real fight
hinges on two proposition. viz:
Immediate free sugar or rs per
cent reduction now and free sugar in
three years.
II the section drawn by the Ways
and Means Committee should be left
intact the committee indicated today 1t
might accept in the House an amend
nent making the May or October date
the one upon which sugar shall be free
after three years.
One of the members interested In free