The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-05-19
Wilson Holds Whip
Hand on Tariff Bill
STANDING PAT ON FREEWOOL
AND SUGAR GETS WAIVER
ING SENATOR'S IN BAD.
Tariff Bill Will BE in Hands of
Committee for Three Weeks
August Before II Is Passed.

WASHINGTON. May lS-The effect
OF President Wilson's public declara-
.lon that there would be no comprom-
Use on Tree wool and free sugar in
,hree years in the new tariff bill. has
oeen the subject OF constant discus
sion since the chief executive made
MS pronunciamento in the presence or
last week
Administration leaders declare that
the Presidents vigorous assertion has
served 10 strengthen the party line
up in the Senate and they point TO
me vote on the question of public
hearings Of the tariff bill as an indica-
tion of the solidarity OF the majority.
Before the President came out so
strongly in the face OF the tremendous
lobby force that completely surrounds
The capitol and legislative air was
surcharged with uncertainty. On
every hand was heard the report that
the finance committee was planning
duiyon wool or cutting out the free
sugar provisions and leave sugar ut
the end of a three year period with n
small tariff.
so thick and fast did the rumors fly
that they penetrated the executive Of
iice and the President. himself began
20 get a bit dubious. Then IL was
that he decided that little tightening
OF the party ropes would do no harm.
Taking a firm grip on the executive
end of the strings that lead TO Capitol
Hill. he called in the correspondents
and In their presence gave n strong
pull. Up 10 that time several Demo
Gratis had been reported To be waver-
ing on the subject of public hearings.
which would mean -prolongation OF
the tarif discussion. with addIuonal
time for lobby manipulation and for
activity by the Republican opposition.
At least five Democrats were consider
ng voting for the Penrose-LaFollette
amendment. But when the President
reaffrmed his determination TO stand
by the schedules which he virtually
dictated into the tariff bill, only Sen
ators Ransdell and Thornton. OF LOU
isiana. broke through the party lines
TO remain outside until the end.
James Makes Denial.
Another phase of the tariff discus
sion in the Senate served as "A further
indicator of The exact situation. That
was the Interpretation OF the Demo-
cratic platform ds relating to free
sugar given by Senator Ollie James.
OF Kentucky, as the spokesman for the
administration. When the Louisiana
Senators attempted to put President
Wilson and the party on record as
opposed to free supgar. the executive
head Of the party took notice again,
and on Friday morning Senator James
delivered what amounted TO a flat de-
NAL OF the allegations made by the
insureent Democrats. who are fight
ing TO break up the majority on the
sugar schedule.
Senator James declared that the
party did favor free sugar; that IL
cdmpaigned ON that issue. and. with
the knowledge of the President he
challenged any one 10 find man who
could truthfully assert that Woodrow
Wilson ever said he opposed free
sugar. Again the administration
scored.
NoV the Democrats of the senate
have the tarim bin 10 themselves. For
two or perhaps three weeks the bill
VIII be- IN the hands of the finance
committee. and. whatever other sched-
ui'S may be altered. the assurance
has gone ont that no change in WOOL
(contiaued on Page Nins.D