The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1913-04-09
COnfers with Members Of The Fl
nance Committee Concerning
The Tariff Situation in
the Senate
BATTLE OVER TARIFF
In HOUSE CAUCUS
Opponents Of Free Wool and Low
Sugar Duty are Fighting Hard
Thompson an j Murray
in Lively Scrap
Telegram by United Press

Telegram BY United Press,
Washington, April 9.-President
Wilson will go to the capitol again
this afternoon The Democrats OF the
senate finance committee were invlt-
ed to confer with him in the presi-
dents room at o'clock to canvass the
tariff bill situation in the senate.
The president took the initiative in
the matter, The Democratic members
Of the finance committee who con-
ferred with him in the executive Of
fices Monday morning have been anx-
ious for another conference regarding
the handling Of the bill, but the MEM
bers were unable to agree on a time
so the president acted,
The Democratic differences over tAe
tariff bill were fought out today be-
hind closed doors in the house caucus.
Underwood made a detailed state
ment Of the tariff program. He de-
clared the bill needs defense and ask
ed for its approval on the plea Of
party regularity.
The North Carolina delegation LED
the opposition to free lumber aud
were backed by representatives of the
lumber districts in the southwest.
The New England members oppos-
ed radical reduction in the duties on
fish products, leather, cotton and
WOODEN manufactures. The caucus re-
! sembles a friendly family quarrel
Democrats who opposed free sugar
and free wool led the opposition today
Representative Proussard Of Louisiana
presented a resolution on providing
for two cents a pound duty on sugar
instead of one and asked for the elm
nation Of free sugar for three years.
insurgency was rampant y ae eau
Gus of the Democratic members of the
house Tuesday afternon and leaders
are wondering how they are to saddle
and bride the liveliest bucking insur-
gent of them all, Joe q. Thompson Of
Oklahoma, who, during his bitter at
tack on the party caucus rules, pro-
ceeded to kick dust in the eyes Of all
who disagreed with him.
Alfalfa Bill'' Murray, his colleague.
was Thompson's chief aid, but both
went down to overwhelming defeat
Anyway, Thompson got to speak hts
piece and it was anything but compli.
mentary to the rules of the caucus
and those opposed to him.
The trouble all started when mo.
tlon was made to lay on the table all
/ motions which would provide for
opening the party caucuses to the pub
I lie. Thompson didn't like the idea
/ Other Democratic representatives saL
up and began to take notice; some re-
spectfully, while others laughed up
roariously and cat called. but Thomp-
son had his say Answering some Of
those who made light of his demand
for opening the caueuses to the pun
lie, he shook his fingers under their
noses and yelled, Il do not look for
anything but sneers from those who
do not represent the people | would
rather have the respect of the people
than the congress Of the United
States"
Thompson declared that President
Wilson was opposed to any secrecy
whatever in caucus deliberations and
believed that the door should be flung
open to all comers. He said that the
people had a right to know what their
| representatives were doing behind
closed doors. that the people Of Okla
homa opposed any such tactics, they
being progressive people, adopting q
state constitution, the provisions OF
which were Incorporated in the Demo
cratic and Bull Moose platforms. He
declared he only desired to represent
] the progressive sentiment OF his state
Once Thompson was told if he was
not a Democrat to get out Of the eau
Gus, and this led the Oklahoman %
defend his record He asserted he
was as good If not a better Democrat.
than any one in the house he cited
his work In the state Of Oklahoma IN
E the past few years as proof Of this
The rule of the Democratic caucus
in the sixty-second or last congress
J and the one which will govern the
party during the present session pro.
2 yldes that the votes, motions and res.
olutions introduced III the caucus shall
{ be made public at all times. bui
. speeches OF the Democrats attending
/, shall not be given out.
This rule has the endorsement ID
{ Secretary Bryan and other LEADING
Democratic officials and Is generals
i considered IN congress as being The
! best possible one, II eaucuses are moi
s to be resolved into public meetings
+, It is pointed out that 10 open the door.
to an corners who deslre TO listen E
- the party deliberations there sw0ul.
Continued on rage TRol