The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-25
After Conference at White
House They Decide To Re-
port Disagreement
FOREIGN POLICIES
ARE AGREED UPON
Retalitory Tariff Provisions of SEN
ate Defeated-Rebate for Goods
Brought in American Built
Ships Unless Prohibited

Washington September 24.-The tariff
bill conferees today came to a final dis
agreement overS the proposed tax on
trades in cotton futures. 1t was found
impossible to agree either on the Clarke
amendment adopted by the Senate or the
compromise known as the smith-Lever-
Burleson plan. After conference at the
White House participated in by President
Wilson. Senator Simmons and Represen-
tative Underwood, and long debate in
the conference committee it was decided
to report a disagreement to both houses
of Congress.
The conference report on the rest of the
tariff bill will be completely harmonious
when the measure gets back to the Senate
and House. 1t will be accompanied by
report that no agreement could be reached
on the so-called Clarke amendment impos-
ing a tax of so cents per bale on cotton
sold for future delivery but not deliv-
cred.
Compromise Is Expected
It was predicted tonight that strong
movement in behalf of the compromise
plan that has received general indorse-
ment from southern senator's and repre-
sentatives would be started as soon as
the disagreement Is reported.
The compromise would compel all con-
tracts for future cotton delivery to spec
ify government grades, and would compel
deliveries of cotton to be at that grade
or close to 1t, the difference to be set
tied at the prevailing commercial prices
This plan, modelled on the bill of Sem
ator Smith of South Carolina, and per-
fected by Postmaster General Burleson.
Representative Lever, Senator Hoke
smith and others, has the strong sup
port of several of the House conferees
"The Senate conferees could not con-
slider any modification of the Clarke
amendment" said Senator Simmons to-
night. 'rhe Senate had not only adopted
[ IL, but had reaffirmed it's support of the
provision when 1t was referred back to
CAUCUS"
AS a result of the conference with Pres
ident Wilson, the committee also settled
finally today the foreign policies involved
in the tariff bill. The most important de-
velopments were:
Agreement in the 5 per cent tariff re-
bate on goods brought in American owned
ships, with a provision that it should not
affect countries with which the United
States has treaties prohibiting such dis
elimination.
Defeat of the retaliatory tariff pro-
visions of the Senate that would author
ize the President to assess extra tariff
duties on certain articles from countries
discriminating against the United States.
Defeat of the ant-child labor provision
that would have excluded foreign goods
made by child labor.
The House provision excluding convict
made goods was retained.
President Approves Decisions
1t is understood these decisions met with
the approval of the President and were
made only after their full effect on for
eign relations had been considered. The
agreement to drop the retaliatory section
of the bill will make 1t unnecessary to
pass any supplementary legislation con-
tinuing existing trade relations. The bill
will retain the provision giving the Pres
ident authority to negotiate reciprocity
treaties, as this section has been indorsed
by both houses.
From seven to 10 countries would be ex-
empt from the discriminatory effect of
the provision designed to aid American
shipping There Is at present, however,
no treaty with Great Britain that would
prevent the giving of per cent rebate
on British goods brought to this country
in American owned ships and other impor-
tant countries also would be affected.
hearing was given to Representative
Palmer by the conferees tonight on the
"anti-dumping' provision of the House
bill, which the Senate struck out. This
would impose extra duty on goods
dumped on the American market at cut
prices.
The conferees agreed to the amend
ments of the Senate removing restrictions
on the manufacture of denatured alcohol
so that farmers will be able to make this
product The proposed free listing of de-
natured alcohol was dropped. The Sen
ate provisions for a joint congressional
committee to devise the methods of ad-
ministering the tariff was stricken out.
The conferees adopted the Senate
amendments covering the smelling of ores
in bonded warehouses; and accepted the
provision admitting Philippine cigars free
only when they do not contain more than
M