The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-14
Presidents Victories in Con-
gress Signify Leadership.
Finds Little Dissension in
Ranks of Democrats.
FEW CHANGES IN TARIFF
Rates Favored by Wilson Like
Iy Will Garry.
Senate Leaders Pledged Sup
port to Provisions.

Washington, April 14.-President
Wilson emerged from the first week of
the special session Of congress appar-
emily in a stronger position as the &C
tive leader of Democracy than at any
time since he assumed the presidency.
Within the brief space of seven
days he had won a victory in the eau
Gus of house Democrats for his free
sugar program; had formed a work
ing agreement with the Democratic
leaders of the senate, which 1t is be-
Heved will insure general support of
his tariff program in that body; and
had established precedents of presi-
dental cooperation with congress
which, If successful, are expected
greatly to influence legislation
ton.
Tariff Fight Only Is Begun.
The tariff revision fight admittedly
is only begun; but the developments
of the past week have convinced par
" leaders that there are likely to be
fsw changes in the rates favored by
the president; and little dissension
within the Democratic ranks over the
final approval Of the bill.
The wool fight will come in the
house caucus early this week. While
a Democratic minority organization Of
forty or more representatives will at
tempt to upset the presidents free
wool program, it is said that the ad-
ministration will be sustained by
large majority, as it was in the fight
on the sugar tariff provision yester-
day.
Senate leaders have pledged to the
president their support of the sugar
and wool provisions as finally adopted
by the house. 1t is believed the at
tempted organization between oppo-
nents OF free sugar and free wool in
the senate will not acquire sufficient
strength alter
The full Democratic membership of
the house will resume consideration of
the tariff behind closed doors today
with the prospect of another weeks
fight before the Underwood bill comes
out with the seal of party approval.
Agricultural duties will be taken up
first tomorrow, and representatives of
farming districts are planning a hard
fight against some of the more severe
reductions.
Republicans Work on Substitutes.
Republican members of the house
ways and means committee are now
working on substitute cotton and wool
schedules. The Republicans will have
another caucus Thursday night for fur
Their discussion of the tariff.
preparation OF currency reform leg
islation is to move slowly, because of
the agreement between the president
and congressional directors of finan-
cial legislation that it shall not inter-
fere with the tariff revision. A series
Of hearings probably will open soon
under the direction of the senate bank
ing and currency committee.
Alaskan railroad legislation which is
also to be the subject of senate hear
ings, will be pressed for early action.
Senator Pittman, chairman of the terri
torities committee, will attempt to have
an Alaskan government railroad bill
passed through the senate before tariff
revision is taken up there.
Little legislative work is expected
from either branch of congress during
the next week. Senate members are
devoting themselves to a study of the
tariff in preparation for the work they
must do upon it.