Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-04-15
In Talk With Press He Ex-
presses Confidence in the
Measure Meeting Ap.
proval of the People.
FLOUR AND WHEAT
CAUSE OF TROUBLE
Millers Claim Discrimina-
ton in the Tariff; Presi-
dent Said to Favor Civil
Appropriation Bill.

washington, D. G., April 14.-Presi.
dent Wilson believes the tariff Dill
meets the general approval and that
no healthy business will be interrupted
and that in most causes the cost OF liv'
ing will not be Immediately affected,
but the consumer will feel at once the
benefit of a reduction in the sugar
duty.
These views were expressed today
by the president in an open talk with
newspaper men at the white house. He
explained that his main reason for de-
string a reduction on sugar was tna1
the consumers deserve 1t.
The president declared that arrange.
ments by which prices were fixed
would surely be made impossible when
a truly competitive situation was
created and that the public would get
the benefit, very promptly. In the cases
Of sugar, because he knew competitive
elements were ready to contest
Criticisms, he said, had been received
from some perfectly legitimate inter
ests contending that the cuts In their
cases were more than they could at
present stand. Mr.. Wilson said he did
not see any ruinous cuts in the bill. He
referred to the fact that members oi
fflie ways and means committee had
heard every person In interest and
that their judgments were based on
those hearing.
Il was suggested to the president
that many Ohio democrats In congress
felt that free wool would be ruinoua
to the woolen industry. Mr.. Wilson
said he had been trying to inform him.
self as much as possible on that sub
iect but he did not feel their fears were
justified by facts.
In connection with the sugar tarifi
the president was asked II he thought
sugar factories, both beet and cane
could operate under free sugar. He
said he certainly thought they could,
remarking that the factories might
shut down for effect for a time but
they would open for business later.
The president said he hopes to open
reciprocity negotiations with various
countries as soon as the tariff bill was
passed.
Caucus Resumed Today.
With Chairman Underwood and 9th.
er administration leaders still In con.
troll of the situation, house democrats
today began the second week OF con.
sideration of the new tariff bill In
caucus.
Having withstood the test Of vigor.
GUS opposition to the sugar schedule
Saturday, the prospect was today that
no material changes proposed to the
bill could get enough support to be ef'
fective, not excepting free raw wool,
against which a definite opposition has
developed. Consideration of the wool
question probably will not be reached
for several days.
Wheat ard Flour Discussed.
The market basket" attracted at.
tention OF the legislators today. the
agriculture schedule having been
reached. Wheat and citrus fruits were
particular targets for some of the
members Of milling and fruit bearing
states. Flour has been placed on the
free list Of the administration bill
while duty of ten per cent ad valor'
EN- Is left on wheat. Representatives
from milling states claim that as dis.
elimination against the millers and
they propose to make fight either to
put wheat on the free list or to place
compensating duty on -four. Op'