The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-24
Begin Last Fight to Change
Bill Before General
Debate
ACTIONS ENLIVEN
PARTY CAUCUS
Sugar Schedule Probably VIII Be
Reached Today-Decks Cleared
for Acid Test of Much Dis
cussed Tariff Schedule

Washington, June 2s.-Democrats op-
posed to free sugar, enlivened the sem
atorial caucus late today, beginning their
final effort to change the schedule be-
fore the tariff bill reaches the Senate for
general debate. Western and Louisiana
fight against the provision approved and
urged by President Wilson, which pro-
videSthat sugar shall be free of duty in
1916, Senators Shafroth of Colorado, and
Walsh of Montana, took up the contest
when the schedule was reached suddenly
late in the afternoon. 1t had not been
expected that the caucus would reach SUI
gar before to- rrow,, but the metal and
wood schedule were rushed through with
out much discussion and before o'clock
decks were cleared for the first and
most determined party tariff struggle
This will be the acid test for free sugar.
Only Two Released
To the decision of the caucus the demo-
cratic senators will be pledged and the
prospect is that only Senators Thornton
and Ransdell OF Louisiana, will be re-
leased from the binding resolution that
l. TO be adopted. There is a possibility
of one other senator asking for relief.
Senator Kansdell. who is leading the
fight on free sugar, hurried from the
caucus room when 1t was apparent the
sugar schedule would be reached and
sent a messenger for Senator Newlands
OF Nevada. lie wanted all the demo-
Gratis who do not favor the admins
tration plan present. Senator Newlands
soon arrived and Immediately thereafter
the first paragraph of the schedule was
read.
Senator ehafroth of Chicago, was the
first speaker. Coming from a beet su-
gar state, he made vigorous plea for
elimination of the provision for Tree su-
, gar In three years. He submitted many
briefs and statistics TO support the claim
of the beef sugar manufacturers that
free sugar would mean the Gripping. II
not the death of the industry.
Senator Walsh of Montana, who will
make u fight against free wool, is stand
ms by the arti-free sugar senators in
the caucus fight. He followed Senator
Shafroth and had not concluded when
the caucus adjourned until tomorrow.
First Breach Comes
Until sugar was reached the caucus
had been very harmonious. Not change
was made in the report OF the ma
1ority members of the finance commit
tee on the wooden and wooden man
ufacturers' schedule.
The only material change In this from
! the Underwood bill was the free list
ing of cedar boards and other cabinet
woods.
{ In the metal schedule there were four
l. .t,,Itt a -
and in each case the committee was
sustained. Aluminium in the crude state
was left at 2 cents a pound and in
sheets and plates at 31a cents per
pound. The committees increase from
" to x of a cent a pound on lead
orc was sustained, as were its amend
ments Increasing the duty on zinc in
pigs from 10 to Is per cent. An ef-
fort to put handsaws and other com
< mon tools on the free list was not sue
cessful and few small items in the
schedule were referred for later de-
termination.
Late tomorrow the majority of the
finance committee will complete work
on its revision of the income tax and
a statement giving the details of the
changes viii be given by Chairman
Simmons.
The committee tonight received pe-
tion from a delegation of New York
diamond merchants urging reconsider
alton of it's action in turning down
proposed reductions in the diamond
rates OF the Underwood bill. After care
full consideration Of the claims that the
Underwood rates would encourage and
increase Smuggling, the committee de-
cided not to change the rates AS left
by committee uncut diamonds are made
duitable at 10 per cent ad valorem and
cut diamonds at 20 per cent. The mer-
chants want the present rates retained
cut diamonds at 10 per cent and uncut
diamonds free.