The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-17
LEADERS EXPECT TO
END AGR|CUL TURAL
SCHEDULE MONDAY
Practically Complete Con-
sideration of Section.
Number of Rates
Disposed of

Washington. August 1e.-The Senate
today almost completed consideration
of the agricultural schedule of the
tariff bill, disposing of number of
important rates protested against 'by
the republicans.
No amendments were adopted though
republican leaders sought to increase
the rates on straw. fish. apples and
other fruits, to abolish the proposed
duties on canary. caraway and anise
seeds. and vigorously protested against
any duty on bananas.
Democratic leaders expect to COM
plete the agricultural schedule Monday
and express confidence that none of It's
provisions will be changed. free cattle.
free wheat and their products already
having been approved. The sugar
schedule. upon which the greatest
fight of the tariff controversy will be
waged, will be reached next, and ma
3ority leaders are planning to hold
night Senate sessions beginning the
Agricultural Schedule
The principal debate today on the
agricultural schedule centered about
fish and bananas. Senator Lodge of
Massachusetts declared the great re-
ductions proposed on fish products. with
fresh fish on the free list. would give
Canadian fishermen control of the great
I
however, was made in the rates.
Senators Burton. Weeks and Sherman
argued against the proposed duty of
1-1o of 1 cent a pound on bananas. De-
Tending the proposed rate as a revenue
tax not levied against a basic food
product. Senator williams of Mssis-
sippi facetiously remarked that 1T
would tax "the down trodden working
man" at the rate of 1-50 of cent per
banana.
Senator Sherman of Illinois referring
to the fact that most of the bananas
imported come from Central American
countries, said this country should "cul-
tivate friendly relations with the prin-
eipal product of those countries sent
to friendly port" for, he continued,
we either have got to vitalize the Mon
roe doctrine or ignobly abandon it,"
the consumer eventually would pay the
duty of approximately of $2,225,0O0 a
year on bananas.
Sustain Banana Tax
The vote sustaining the proposed ba-
mana tax was close. 81 to 2S. Senators
Thornton and Ransdell of Louisiana,
voting with the republicans.
senator Smott discovered there was
conflict in the bill relating to dead
and dressed poultry and prepared
meats. whereby both might be made
dutiable at 80 per cent under one para
graph and free of duty under another
2 Senator Williams said 1t was an over
sight and consented that the matter
be recomnitted for redrafting. Senator
Gronna sought to increase the proposed
rate on live poultry from l to cents
a pound, but the amendment was re-
Jected.
Senator Smoot sought Intellectually to
increase the proposed rate on pow
dered cocoa from 2 to cents per
pound.
Senator Norris of Nebraska, pro-
tested against the proposed duty of 2
cents per pound on dandelion' root and
other substitutes for coffee maintain
ing that they should go on the free
list. He argued that such a rate was
"a direct protection to the coffee trust"
Senator Williams, upon consultation
Win other democrats. consented that
the paragraph go back to the commit
tee with the prospect that Senator Nor
ris' suggestion might be accapeted.
Senator Gronna. discussing generally
the agricultural schedule, declared the
free listed articles will be burden
to the farmers. and will cause a rev.
enue deficit in the treasury of $25, O00,-
600.
Early In the day Senator Mclean
of Connecticut, addressed the Senate
in opposition to the finance committee
amendment permitting Importation of
feathers of wild birds. Answering him,
Senator Reed of Missouri declared 1t
was waste of time to talk about "he-
rons and humming birds, while the
business of the country was halted
pending action on the tariff"