The Washington times., 1913-05-11
TUESDAY T0DEC|DE
SENATE SUPREMACY
Test Of Strength Will Come
in Vote Over Action on the
Tariff Measure.

The first test of strength in the Sem
ate on the tariff bill will come Tuesday
when the vote will be taken on the mo-
ton of Senator Simmons to refer the
bill to the Finance Committee, and on
the amendment Of Senator Penrose to
require the committee to have public
hearings.
Republican leaders hope to force the
Finance Committee to grant hearings.
Friday, when the question was. raised,
enough Democrats were ready to vote
with the Republicans to order that
hearings be granted.
Since then, Democratic leaders have
been working hard on the Democrats
who have been threatening to line up
them over But as fast as they win
one back another breaks off the reser-
walton. 1t was because the Democratic
leaders saw they would be beaten In
test vote Friday that adjournment
Of the Senate until, Tuesday was
brought about for the purpose Of CIV
ing the leaders time to line UP their
forces.
Would Be Victory.
II the Republican leaders succeed in
forcing the Democrats to grant hear
ings they will regard It as an important
victory. At the same time. they say
that IL the Democrats succeed in block
| ing the demands for hearings. the
Democrats will be the ones who will
be criticised for It.
Pressure on Democratic Senators to
increase the rates Of the Underwood
bill Ii intense. Whether enough Of them
will resist it TO give the Democrats
at all times a majority of the Senate il
a question which time alone will tell.
| With the two Louisiana Senators de-
cided not to vote for the bill II It
| carries free sugar. the margin of Demo-
| cratic control is 30 precarious it 10 not
certain what will happen. Should two
more Democratic Senators declare
| against the bill it would upset the Ad-
ministration plans and leave them bad
ly up in the air.
Seize on Threats.
Threats of Democratic leaders to IN
flict reprisals on manufacturers who
reduce wages. and allege lit Ii due to
the tariff are being seized on by the
Republican leaders. They will make
the most of such threats. One of the
most prominent Of the Republican Sena-
/ tors said today this was blunder on
the part of the Democrats. and that 1t
would react against them.
/ The Administration is setting out
to drive everybody to its way OF think
ing" said this Senator. TT win not
work" R-s' -s-
The suggestion emanating from the
Administration. through. Secretary Red,
field, that additional time be allowed
for the bin 70 take sfrsct: Nspeciail,y
considered by the E4ASce comnaistee.
Capitalists vFant It.
It is believed that it win be adopted
It is Just what the manufacturers want.
. They desire to unload stocks already on
hand without any competition from
abroad. President Wilson has SO far
departed from his expressed wish to
helm the consumers that he is willing
to let the manufacturers do this. The
result, IL the plan Is carried out, Is
that consumers need expect no lower
prices on cotton and woolen goods for
good many months to come.
Senator MARITIME of New Jersey is one
| of the Senators on the Democratic side
who, favors hearings. But he viii prob
ably yield to the wishes OF the Presi-
dent and most of his Democratic col
leagues and vote against granting any.
Senator Penrose has given bit OF
II the hopes Of those who want speedy
tariff action. He predicts It will be
| the middle of August before the bill IL
| voted on in the Senate