The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-14
End of First Week OF Congress
Finds His Power In
creased.
SUSTAINED AT ALL POINTS
Leaders Convinced His Tariff
Program Will Be Pushed
Through.

Washington, April 1s.-President
Wilson emerged from the first week
of the special tariff session of Con-
gross apparently in stronger posi-
ton as the active leader OF Demo
cracy than at any time since he as
sumcd the presidency.
Within tho brief space of seven
days he had won Il victory in the
caucus of House Democrats for his
free sugar program; had formed a
working agreement with the Demo
cratic leaders of the Senate, which, 1t
is believed will ensure general sup
port of his tariff program in that body;
and had established precedcnts of
presidential cooperation with Con
gress. which, il successful, are expect
ed greatly to influence the entire pro-
gram OF legislation throughout the
Wilson administration
The Presidents visit to Congress
Tuesday TO deliver his opening address
in person. and his visit to the Sen
ate precincts next day to confer with
Finance Committee members upon the
tarM plans. overshadowing all other
developments of the week In public
interest. Leaders of both houses who
have sounded out sentiment in Demo-
cratic ranks declared the effect of the
IrcSidentS innovations has been to
strengthen Democratic unity of action
is as to leave the President in "A domi-
mating position at the outset of his
administration.
Party Is with Him.
AT all points where Mr. Wilson'S
decisions were instrumental In tho fix
ing of rates in the new tariff bin the
full Democratic membership of the
House voted to sustain him in caucus
by heavy majorities. House leaders
who deferred to him in the fixing OF
many of the tariff rates have sup
ported his decisions and successfully
rallied party support to his defense as
the Dill has been fought over by the
Democratic members.
The tariff revision fight admittedly
is only begun but the developmcnts 8
OF the last week have convinced party
leaders that there are likely to he few
changes from the rates favored by the
President; and little discussion with
/ In Democratic ranks over the final
approval OF the bill. The wool fight
Will come In the House caucus. early
this week. While Il Democratic mi
nority organization of forty or more
representatives will attempt to upset
the Presidents free wool program. IL
Is expected that the administration
Fwlll be sustained by n large majority
as 1t was in the fight on the sugar
tariff provision yesterday.
support TX Pledged.
Senate leaders have pledged to the
President their support OF the sugar
and wool provisions as finally adopt-
ed In the House. 1t is believed that
the attempted organization between
opponents OF free sugar and free wool
in the Senate will not acquire sum :
cicDt strength to alter the bill SEN
ator Myers, OF Montana, who has been
counted upon by some of the antifree
wool forces as their ally. has Informed
members OF the Finance Committee
and has stated publicly that he favors
the free wool program and will ac-
lively uphold the Presidents course
as to this schedule.
| The full Democratic membership of
| the House will resume consideration
of tho tariff behind closed doors to-
morrow, with the prospect of another
weeks fight before the Underwood bill
comes out with the seal OF party ap-
prevail upon 1t. Agricultural duties
will be taken up first tomorrow and
representatives of farming districts,
are planning hard fight against some
of the most severe reductions which
the President rnd the House tariff
! Continued on Second Page.)