Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-11
SUGAR SCHEDULE
WILL START FIGHT
Clash Among House Demo-
Gratis. in Caucus, May
Come Today.
PLAN OF PRESIDENT
EXPECTED TO CARRY
Senate Finance Committee Also Will
Fall in Lne-Speaker Clark
Wants Harmony.

House democrats were prepared today
for the first sharp fight over the tariff
bill, when the sugar schedule came up
in the party caucus The democrats met
behind closed doors again today, with
the iron and steel tariff under considera-
ton, but with the prospect that the sugar
fight would break before the end of the
day.
During the discussion OF the metal
schedule Representative Thomas of Ken
tucky enlivened the proceeding with
dissertion on hooks and eyes. The COM
mittee members were pleading for at
least little protection for the hook and
eye industry.
Mr.. Thomas arose and said:
Il am for putting the eyes out. At would
be better for the peace and happiness of
married men II there were no hooks ana
eyes. If a free list will destroy the in
dustry, then | am for the free list Any
man who will tumble with hooks and
eyes in buttoning up the back of his
wfe's dress is not much of a man.
Not Evading Issue.
Representative Underwood and his as
sociates, who are supporting the Presi-
dents plan of "a - per cent reduction IN
the sugar duty. with free sugar in 1916
have shown no disposition to evade the
sugar issue in the caucus. The democratic
leader expected to carry the sugar tariff
proposal through the caucus without
change.
The free wool provision of the tariff
bill worried the members from the wool
states frequently during the house eau
Gus discussion on the metal schedule and
there were number of references TO
wool interpolated into the debate.
Representative Webb of North Carolina
offered an amendment to put saws on the
free list saying that the bill struck
at a southern industry by putting lumber
on the free list but left an important
part of the manufacturing process taxable
at l. per cent. The present law taxes
saws % per cent The amendment ear
ried BY a viva voce vote, but on division
was lost leaving the bill so far absolute
ly without "a change from the committee
draft.
Senators Study Bill.
Study of the tariff bill continued at
the Senate side. where democrats OF the
finance committee have called in experts
10 help them analyze the house bill The
work now being done by the committee
will shorten the time of tariff revision
in the Senate, it is claimed. as the com
mittees will be prepared to act soon after
the House passes the bill
The majority members of the finance
committee have agreed, it was said to-
day TO accept the views OF the Presi-
dent and the House as to free sugar
after three years of a i per cent per
pound duty. and also as 10 free WOOL
The members of the committee. it is
understood do not propose TO make any
general increase in the rates of the tariff
bill or to make the Senate liable TO the
charge of having impeded the efforts of
the President and the House toward
tariff reform
Changes Will Be Made.
Changes will be made i'm many sched-
ules, however, and the work has been
started, with consideration of the first
schedule in the bill. Some of the changes
regarded as necessary by the Senate
leaders may be carried over TO the House
and put into the bill in the democratic
caucus still in progress there. The Sen
ate leaders reserve the full right to make
changes after the bill reaches the SEN
ate when they consider them necessary
10 make the tariff revision more equitable
and scientific.
The decision to stand with the Presi-
dent upon the wool and sugar tariff
issues has brought the various forces
of democratic control into practical
unity. il is claimed. Should the Presi-
dent and the House majority refuse TO
accept any change in the wool and
sugar provisions il is understood that
the Senate committee will lend It's sup.
port to the same program.
Clark for Harmony.
Speaker Clark. in the session of the
democratic caucus held YESTERDAY after
noon. argued that harmony must prevail
I'm the party respecting the tariff hill
The discussion of the bill ran through tne
third schedule. devoted 10 metals and
manufactures of metals. Meantime the
wool and -four people have been taking
the time to do all the organizing posi-
bile against present rates.
No changes III the rates was made
during the caucus yesterday. Part of the
discussion involved the earthenware
schedule.
Big pottery interests spoke through their
represer Ia uves, asking for a higher rate
- protection. but the harmony plea from
Speaker Clark and advice from Repre-
sentative Underwood carried the day for
the ways and means committee The
schedule provoked heated discussion
however. The present bill cuts the duties
almost in half. Representative Whit
acre OF Ohio told the caucus that $50
oD.opo invested in American potteries had