The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-13
Amendment Proposed

AhfCituNCni iOpOStu
Besides this action the caucus left
open the exact date when sugar would
so on the free list in 1916. An amend
ment proposed by Representative Hard
wick of Georgia proposed that the time
it should take effect should be May l.
1916, so as to be effective before the
beginning of the canning season. The
caucus agreed TO leave the matter to
be brought UP by the ways and means
committee after all the rest of the tar
1T bill has been disposed of In caucus
The overthrow of the immediate free su-
gar movement came at the close of a
day OF arguments and the amendment
proposing that sugar should become
free with the operation of the new tar
III law was made hv REPRESENTATIVE
Eardwick. II precpitatod the real fight
Of the day and was lost by a vote of
155 to 80. After the schedule had been
assailed for hours By the proponents OF
the sugar planters in Louisiana and the
beet sugar growers, Chairman Under
wood vigorously defended the proposed
rates. In his speech to the caucus he
pleaded strongly for united party ~
support of the bill as presented and
he emphatically asserted that the sugar
adjustment suggested by President VIII
son was most equitable one.
1--WE will concede said Mr.. Under
wood. agreeing with some of the oppo-
nents of the bill, that immediate free
sugar would put the domestic planter
out of business But we, assert also
that free sugar in three years will de-
stroy no legitimate industry.
"Those who have invested their mon
ey in sugar lands and have planted
crops Will have a chance under the plan
of revision in this bill to pay their
bills and adjust themselves to the new
conditions.
Equitable Basis
"Mr. Broussard complains that Presi-
dent Wilson's request for free sugar IN
three years Is not equitable. We say
that the Presidents course in this sche-
dule is founded on a most equitable
basis. This is a party measure and l
believe that the most of my democratic
colleagues want to see this schedule
pass the House as 1t came from the
committee, Let us keep this party
united
Mr.. Underwood argued against the
Hardwick immediate free sugar amend
ment as well as the amendment to ex-
tend the Tree sugar time from three TO
four years. His speech was received
with loud applause and cries of vote
voter
Representative Rainey of Illinois ap-
pealed to the caucus to stand by the DEM
ocratic administration 1--WE have been
lighting republican Presidents" he
warned the democrats, "and we ought not
to strike blow at a democratic presl-
dent President Wilson has announced
the provision in this bill as a policy Of
his administration. He has broken the
icy barrier between the White House and
the House OF Representatives that has
existed for more than hundred years
by his speech from the clerks desk of
this House Can we afford as democrats
to defeat the first policy nc has an
noLnced the policy of a three years.
gradual reduction of the tariff on sugar?
Free Sugar No Issue
There is no issue of free sugar. on
this the President of the United States
and the majority of the democratic side
of this House are agreed. The ways and
means committee stands absolutely with
the President. We are for the bill as it
stands. without dissension. without divi-
sion. Sugar will be free. The only ques-
ton is when IT shall be free, now or to be
reduced this year and next year and next
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(Cautfnued nm Pare krleyenh