The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-23
Underwood Says Stories of
Disagreements Among
Members UnfOunded
FIRST DRAFTS OF
BILLS ARE READY
Underwood's Return TO House Has
Been Great Relief to Democrats
as Appropriation Bills
Were in Tangle
nv &c. STEWART

Washington, February 22.--(Special.)- y
1t has been decided that there will be a
caucus of the new House democratic
members on March for the purpose of
selecting a ways and means committee.
In the meantime the present committee
will practically mark time and allow the
new committee to put the finishing
touches to the tariff bill This, it is said,
was decided upon In order that the COM
mittee could proceed under the authority
of the new Congress.
The caucus will determine the person
mel of the new committee, and it is ex-
pected that all the democratic members
who were reelected will be reappointed.
OF the democrats on the committee Rep
resentatlves Randell of Texas and Brans-
ly of Georgia viii retire because not re-
elected and Representative James will go
to the Senate.
This action, or proposed action, has
brought out all kinds of gossip about the
radical element of the present ways and
means committee locking horns with the
leaders over the tariff bill, and renewed
the talk of an attempt by Bryan to pack
the committee with his followers for the
purpose OF bringing in tariff bill fa'
more radical IN the reduction of duties
than is now proposed.
Minor Differences of Opinion
1t is understood, however, that there is
no foundation for these stories. 1t is said
that there have been differences of opin-
ion among the democratic members OF
the present committee concerning certain
schedules, but they we're the natural diff
ferences which arise in anybody of men
where multitude of items and ideas are
being threshed out and reduced to a con-
crete whole.
1t is understood that the tariff bill it
self win now be printed-that Is TO say
the first draft of the new schedules will
be, and that nothing further will be done
until Woodrow Wilson is President in
fact, and it is safe to say that this first
draft Will he submitted TO him.
The committee is carefully guarding
the tentative rates upon which it has
decided. Not one of the Il democratic
tariff makers have thus far divulged a
single rate or even limited as to what they
are. although it seems TO be generally
accepted that the general bill will be
close along the lines laid down by the
bills introduced and passed in this ses-
sion and which met the veto of Presi-
dent Taft.
Mr.. Underwood Talks
"The rumors that we have had big
row are without foundation, Mr.. Under
wood declared. ''Of course we have had
our differences and sometimes I have
voted with one man on a rate and some
times against him. Some of the decisions
have been close. Every one Of us un-
derstands that this is the first draft of
the bill and so there is nothing to row
about The row--if there is one-which |
do not expect-must come after March 4
when we make up the final rates which
will be reported to the House,
Mr.. Underwood's appearance back on
the floor of the House is a great relief
TO the democratic members, and they eX
pect to see the various appropriation bills
now pending passed and the family row
calmed-differences adjusted and peace
and harmony once more restored