New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-08
SENATE DEMOCRATS
WORRIED OVER TARIFF
Their Bill Has Only a Bare Ma
jority and They FearIt Will
Be Amended.
IS VOTES ARE PROMISED
Caucus Adopts a Resolution
Which Is More a Statement of
Sentiment than a Pledge
Newlands Votes Against 1t.
[From The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, July For the first time
since 1t was launched in the House the
Democratic tariff bill grazed the reefs in
the Democratic caucus of the Senate to-
day. and entered upon a course so full OF
perils that the majority leaders are
frankly worried.
The formal binding resolution proposed
10 the caucus met with ssuch opposition
that the leaders were obliged TO make 1t
statement Of sentiment rather than a
pledge In it's modified form II was
adopted by q vote of forty-five Senators.
less than q majority OF the whole Senate.
Senator Newlands voted against the
resolution. Senator's Thornton and Rams
dell, of Louisiana, and Senator, Shafroth,
OF Colorado. declined to vote, ana Sena-
tors Hitchcock and Culberson were alb
sent from the caucus, the former volun-
tarily and the latter by reason of illness.
After analyzing the vote the Senate
leaders said tonight that their necessary
majority was intact and that the bill
would be passed. but the situation Is
avowed to be perilous one for the tariff
revision plans of the majority. Forty
uNb DtlldlOlo AN'Ns
to vote for the bill and TO stand by the
caucus resolution; two Senators refused
10 stand by the resolution, but said they
would support the bill, making forty
seven, two less than the needed majority.
Two other Senators. however, are counted
upon to support the oil conditionally, re-
serving the right to offer and vote for
amendments This brings the majority TO
forty-nine, insuring the passage OF the
bill by a narrow majority The two
Louisiana Senators refused TO commit
themselves TO any course Of action sug-
gested to them. and held aloof from their
colleagues.
The resolution adopted by the caucus
follows:
Resolved. That the tariff bill agreed
to by this conference in its amended
form is declared to be party measure,
and we urge its undivided support with
out amendment; provided, however that
the conference or Fiance Committee
may. after reference or otherwise, propose
amendments to the bill"
The peril faced by the bill rs not so
much the opposition that will be encount-
cred on the final vote as the possibility
of the adoption OF amendments In the
Senate.
Some Democratic Senators, particularly
those from sugar and wool producing
states. will face the most critical point
in their legislative experience when
amendments are offered by the minority
modifying the free sugar and wool pro-
visions OF the bin To vote against them
will be 10 invite political disaster. To
vote for them WIFI bring down the
anathemas Of their party leaders.
There are now one hundred and thirty
seven amendments 20 the measure pro-
posed by Republicans which must be
passed upon, and doubtless many more
Will be offered when the voting IS begun
in the Senate. To run the gantlet OF
these proposed amendments is the prob
lem for the Democratic leaders.
Senator Walsh, who has been more or
less recalcitrant, was brought into line
to-day by the caucus. which adopted an
amendment 10 make the rate on raw wool
effective on December !, and the rates on
manufactured articles in the wool SEIZED
ule effective on January !.
Senator Simmons said tonight that he
was going over the final printed draft Of
the bill for corrections and would re-
port it to the Senate some time this week,
Thursday, II possible. II shall call
meeting Of the full membership OF the
Finance Committee on Wednesday. In all
probability" he said. AT any rate, the
measure will be ready for general debate
next week"