The Washington times., 1913-03-08
DEMOCRATS FORM
-. TARIFF CL|QUES"
Middle West, New England, and
Cotton Mill States Organize
for "Protection."

Three combinations of Democratic
members opposed to radical tariff re-
ductions affecting their particular sec
tions are in process of formation as the
extra session of Congress approaches.
a group of Democrats from seven
Middle Western States set the pace
and the New Englanders and Democrats
from the cotton mill States of the South
are following suit The formation of
the tariff combinations is admittedly
worrying Democratic leaders Of the
House and there is a disposition today
on the part of members of the Ways
and Means Committee TO rush through
the three big tariff bills-wool. cotton
and steel-in order to lessen the oppor-
tunities for log-rolling.
Democrats of the New England states,
who have tentatively selected Congress-
man A. ]. Peters as their spokesman,
are willing to accept a moderate re.
duction on the factory products OF that
section. They will oppose, however,
deep slashing of the duties on manu-
factures. At the same time. they are
feeling around for low rates on raw
materials.
Equitable Revision.
In other words, the Democrats of New
England want certain amount OF pro-
lection for the vast Industries of their
States, although the Democrats do not
use the Republican term, protection.
They desire an equitable revision,
which means that the New Englanders
are willing to concede, in the interest
of party harmony and the platform
promises, an appreciable cut in exist
ing duties-but they will not stand for
anything which savors Of free trade.
Democrats from Rhode Island, Con-
necticut, Massachusetts, and Maine re-
Gently met in conference here to out
line a tariff program"
The real object of the secret con-
ference was to see that New England
is cared for" and that the revision
downward isn't too much downward.
Similar motives actuate twenty-eight
Democrats who have combined as the
representatives of the States Of the
about shoes. linens, lace. silks, and
manufactured wool and cotton, but they
are opposed to free trade or radical
duty cuts on farm products. The farm
er needs little protection" too, they
quietly acknowledge.
Local Issue.
Southern Democrats from States
which are branching out in the manu-
featuring line, which possess few cot
ten mills. sawmills and sugar factories,
are also combining. They want an
equitable revision" again demon
strating the truth of the old saying
that THE tariff is a local ISSUE
Various combinations. which are yet
in the formative period, open UP mani
fold opportunities for log-rolling and
trading. Congressman Underwood and
other Democratic leaders realize this,
and there is considerable sentiment in
favor of putting through the revision
Of the big schedules as soon as the ex-
ira session conyenes. --,-E..
The temptation fe "trade" in dealing
with the big Industrial schedules-wool,
cotton. and steel-is great. and the
mere mention of combination
scares the men responsible for tariff
legislation.
When the Democratic caucus meets
tc pass upon the tariff bill prepared
by the Ways and Means Committee
the full strength of the mbinations
will be shown for the first time II
determine to revise the tariff in a blan-
ket bill, instead of schedule by schedule
Insurrection Over Plums.
. There is also a movement within a
movement regarding the committee as
signments in the next House These
assignments are made by the Ways and
Means Committee, and the Northern
and Western Democrats intend to see
that the South does not get all the
plums
The Southerners rank high on the
various committees, because they have
long been In the House; the North and
West has but recently turned Demo-
cratic. Their argument, however, is
having little effect upon the new West
ern and Northern members. who have
come here with the avowed purpose of
getting the best committee assignments
possible
little insurrection is forming, and
unless the committee places are pretty
evenly distributed an effort will be |
made to break the seniority rule n the |
House