The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-05-13
mo HEARINGS
ON THE TARIFF
This the Understanding in
Washington--Bill Will
Pass Unamended
BUSINESS MEN
ARE DISTURBED
Resent Proposed Investiga-
ton with View to
Prosecution

Washington, May l3.-Enough Repub
lican Senators have kicked over the
traces to give majority in the Senate
against public hearings on the Under.
wood tariff bill. This is the understand
| ing at the capitol, where it is expected
that when the Senate meets to-day the
Simmons, rather than the Penrose, reso-
luton for reference OF the bill to the
finance committee will carry The Demo
cratic leaders at no time have been will
ing to grant hearings, regarding them as
a waste OF time, but at the last meeting
Of the Senate they We're not sure enough
OF majority for the NOTCH to refer
the bill without hearings TO permit the
motion to come to a vote. Certain Re-
publicans in the far west are under
stood to have come TO the aid of the
Democrats, for reasons which do not at
present appear.
The determination of the Wilson adj
mnistration to protect the Wilson, I'm
derwood tariff law against possible mis-
representation is seen again in a state
ment made by John Sharp Williams yes
terday that where it is suspected that
manufacturers having closed their plants
or reduced wages for sentimental effect,
the department OF justice win conduct an
investigation with a view to prosecution.
1t is asserted by Senator Williams that
proceedings OF this kind are contem-
plated by the administration in every
notable case where suspicion exists.
Great bitterness of feeling is develop
ing among Republican business men over
the tariff bill and the evident purpose OF
the administration to regard them as
against it. They declare
that no manufacturer ever closes his
plant or reduces wages as long as he can
make money by keeping open, and that
when an employer shuts down or cuts
wage the fact should be accepted as
prima faeie evidence that he is compelled
to take this course.
President Wilson would be greatly sur
prised if the tariff bill does not pass the
the House. He is not only hopeful he
il confident that the backbone Of Demo-
ratio rebellion has been broken in the |
Senate. The understanding at the capi !
,ol is, although the president may have
10 knowledge OF it, that noses will be /
and selected group OF Demo
rats will be permitted to vote against |
he bill, but not enough to endanger its |
passage.
The Senate was not in session yester-
lay The House met yesterday to dis
rose of what some party leaders refer to
IS chicken feed. with the announced
purpose of adjourning almost immediate
Y for three days. beginning OF regular
diournments for similar periods until
he first week OF June. The idea is to
mark time pending the tariff debate on
he Senate side OF the capitol and prepa
alton OF current legislation. Meantime
he Democratic majority of the Ways
nd Means committees will meet almost
ally to frame the personnel of the reg
lar committees of the House.
President Wilson has nct suggested
hat any schedule be reopened, has not
cen informed that the Senate contem-
lates changing the work of the House
nd is confident that the measure will ,
ass the Senate. So certain is he that
lch an end is n sight that he probably
i'll make known informally his views
n currency this week. The president
lpressed these views yesterday but did
Dt express himself as to whether there
lould be public hearings in the finance
,mmittee
The house was in session six minute
I'd the series of three days adjournment I
as begun. The House will meet next 4
thursday, and thereafter on Mondays
Id Thursdays until the first week of !
me Many memhers have gone home,
it'll an understanding that no legisla.
on involving disputed points shall be !
eantime brought I'M. Z