The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-05-26
DEMOS HOPEFUL
DESPITE OUTLOOK
SENATOR WALSH THREATENS TO
DESERT FREE WOOL CLAUSE
WOULD MAKE SENATE TIE.

Washington May 24.-Wool and
sugar. the stumbling blocks OF the
| tariff, held the attention of senate
| finance subcommittee and senators
in general Friday, the legislative air
being filled with rumors of contem-
plated changes and alliances and
counter rumors of a further tighten
ing of the administration forces for
free wool and free sugar in three
years. Great interest was attached
to a public statement made by Sena
tor Walsh of Montana condemning
the proposition to put wool and sugar
on the free list, which gave rise to
a report that he might join with
Senators Ransdell and Thornton of
Louisiana and vote against the bill.
In that case, the senate demo-
cratic majority being only six, the
vote on the tariff bill would be
tie, necessitating the vote of Vice
President Marshall TO pass it. Should
this develop there are some democrats
who believe that Senator PoindeXter
of Washington, the only avowed pro-
gressive in the senate. would vote
With them on the bill. This would
give leeway for another democrat to
desert in the final vote.
Administration leaders declared to-
day that the situation relating to the
much disputed schedules looked very
favorable for the Underwood bill, but
they look forward to an interesting
session in the party caucus when the
southern and western representatives
will have an opportunity to make
determined struggle against free wool
and free sugar A rumor that sew
eral of them would unite to remain
out of the caucus was denied by
party leaders, though one of them
declared that he would not blame
Senator Walsh should he determine
to stay out if 1t became apparent that
the caucus would not yield on sugar
and wool.
Whitman Files Objection.
William Whitman, always a leader
of the woolen interests in tariff con-
sideration, had an, interesting hour
with Senator Stones subcommittee
attacking the wooden manufacturers
schedule. Mr.. Whitman declared that
the proposed duties on wool manu-
facturers were 30 per cent less than
the rates in the Wilson tariff act,
which, he said, was supposed to be
free trade bill. Senator James urged
that economic conditions in produc-
ton justified a difference of 80 per
cent at this time, as compared to
conditions ufhnp n Wi1Cnp Ia
enacted.
Asked If free raw wool would not
prove beneficial to his interests, Mr..
Whitman said it might eventually. At
present, he said, his company had on
hand a large supply of raw wool
bought under tariff rates and that
lie would be at a disadvantage in
working this off while other manufac-
turcrs were buying and manufactur-
ing with wool purchased on a free
of-duty basis.
He declared that foreign manufac
turCrs had enormous amounts OF
woolen goods stored away ready to
put on the American market as soon
as the proposed bill became a law.
julius Forstman of Paraic, n. j.,
also asked for an extension of time
when the scho dule should become ef-
fective. He urged that the raw wool
schedule should not take effect un-
til three months after the passage of |
the act and the duties on wooden |
manufactures six months after. in or
der to give the trade, an opportunity |
to work off goods manufactured un- |
der present tariff conditions.
Oxnard Also Kicks.
Henry T. OXnard, recognized as tie |
head of the delegation representing |
the beet sugar interests, appeared be-
fore Senator Williams subcommittee
to protest against the proposed sugar
schedule. He presented the cast of |
the beet sugar men at length, MAIN
tanning that free sugar would be a
blow to the industry in this country.
An important change in the bill as
il passed the house, it was reported
today, has been made by Senator
Stones committee in the metal sched-
lle. They are declared to have de-
'ided TO put pig iron and ferro- man
2anese on the free list. The I'm
ierwood bill levies a 10 per cent duty
IN pig iron and 10 per cent on ferro-
used in the manufacture
If steel. An argument over these
ates developed in the house, Majority
.eader Underwood and Representa-
i've Palmer of Pennsylvania main
"a pft,ig h.,y= .l, l., grs..