The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-04-19
WILSON AND THE TARIFF.
PRESIDENT Is STRONGER AFTER
FIRST WEEK OF FIGHT.

Senators Have Pledged Support on
Sugar and neutrality-suspicious. of
Currency Reform to Move Slowly.
Washington, April 13.-President
Wilson emerged from the first week
of the special tariff session Of Con-
5ress apparently in a stronger posi-
ion as the active leader of Democ-
'acy than at any time since he assum-
I'd the Presidency.
Within the brief space of seven
lays he had won q victory in the eau
Gus of House Democrats for his free
sugar programme; had formed a
working agreement with the Demo
cratic leaders of the Senate, which
1t is believed will insure general sup
port of his tariff programme in that
body; and had established precedents
of Presidential cooperation with
Congress- which, if successful, are
expected greatly to influence the en-
tire programme of legislation through
out the Wilson Administration.
The Presidents visit to Congress
Tuesday to deliver his opening ad-
dress in person, and his visit to the
Senate precincts next day to confer
With finance committee members up
IN the tariff plans, overshadowed all
other developments of the week in
public interest. Leaders of both
houses who have sounded out senti-
nent in Democratic ranks since this
occurred declare the effect Of the
Presidents innovations has been to
strengthen Democratic unity of action
Is to leave the President in a dominat-
ing position at the outset of his Ad-
ninistration.
AT all points where Mr.. Wilson's de-
isions were instrumental in the fix
ng Of rates in the new tariff bill the
eull Democratic membership Of the
House voted to sustain him in caucus
~ heavy majorities. House leaders
who deferred to him in the fixing of
many Of the tariff rates have sup
ported his decisions and successfully
"alled party support to his defence
IS the bill has been fought over by
he Democratic members.
The tariff revision fight admittedly
is only begun; but the developments
If the last week have convinced party
>laders that theer are likely to be few
changes from the rates favored by
the President, and little dissension
within Democratic ranks over the
final approval of the bill The wool
light will come into the House caucus
early this week. While a Democratic
minority organization of forty or more
Representatives will attempt to upset
the Presidents free wool programme,
1t is expected that the Administration
viii be sustained by a large majority
as it was in the fight on the sugar tar
iff provisions yesterday.
Senate leaders have pledged to the
president their support OF the sugar
md wool provisions as finally adopt-
I'd in the House. 1t Is believed that
he attempted organization between
opponents of free sugar and free wool
N the Senate will not acquire suffi-
cient strength to alter the bill. Sem
1tor Meyers of Montana, who has
been counted on ty some of the anti
Sree wool forces as their ally, has in
formed members OF the finance com
mittec and has stated publicly that he
favors the free wool programme and
will actively uphold the Presidents
course as to this schedule.
The full Democratic membership of
the House will resume consideration
Of the tariff behind closed doors to-
morrow, with the prospect of anoth-
er weeks fight before the Underwood
bill comes out with the seal Of party
approval upon it, Agricultural duties
will be taken up first tomorrow and
representatives, of farming districts
are planning q hard fight against
some Of the most severe reductions
which the President and the House
tariff makers have determined upon
as part Of their lower cost of living
| programme.
Republican members of the House
ways and means committee, who had
no part in preparing the Underwood
bill are now working on sub-cottor
and wool schedules which they viii
offer as soon as the tariff is taken VI
in the House. These will be similar
! to the Republican substitutes Offered
in the last Congress which proposed
a general reduction in tariff but main
! tanned protection for the manufac
! turcrcrs and wool growers. The Re
! publicans will have another caucu.
! Thursday night for further discussion