New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-17

DDS followed by the former Republican
majority in revising the tariff. unspar-
ingly denounced the methods pursued by
the Democrats in the case OF the present
bill lie declared himself in favor OF
open caucuses when public business was
under discussion and deprecated the
framing of a tariff bill behind closed
doors.
La Folette's Attitude.
Il am not enamoured of the information
that has been collected from those who
have appeared before the various com
mittees OF the House and Senate. Mr..
la Toilette said. 81 want TO see a pro
tective tariff bill passed, but one so mod
erately protective as justly TO measure
the cost Of producing on this side over
the cost of producing on the other side,
so that the protection will measure the
difference in the wages paid TO labor"
The debate was resumed to-day by
Senator James who. by his reply to the
criticism Of Senator Ransdel pleased
President Wilson so much that a letter
was sent from the White House COM
mending him for his defence OF the ad
minstration This method Of comforting
executive approval was interpreted by
other Senators as meaning that the OFF,
cial mantle Of tariff leadership had been
draped about the massive shoulders Of
Senator James and that henceforth he
was to be recognized as the spokesman
of the White House and the oracle Of the
administration in this particular field Of
legislation
Senator James declared that the plat
form adopted at the Baltimore conven-
ton approved the course Of the Demo-
cratic House in the last session Of Con-
gress. and that It included approval of
the Underwood free sugar bill.
Senator Ransdell asked II President
Wilson had not declared in speech at
Pittsburgh that he did not stand for
free trade.
MIR. James replied that the President
was not a free trader and that the pro-
posed bill, calculated to raise $500. 600 Oo0
IN revenue, was not a free trade oil.
If you say President Wilson is d free
trader because he favors free sugar de-
manded Mr. James. did you call yourself
a free trader when you voted for free
bread and free shoes"
Dodeed Free Sugar.
Mr.. Ransdell denied he was free
trader. and asked if the Democratic Ma
tional Committee had not instructed its
orators in the West not to discuss free
sugar. and also If the party would not
have been defeated If they had discussed
il there. Il know the Chicago headquar-
tiers so instructed Representative Aswell.
Of Louisiana" ne added
Senator James referred to the point
made by the Louisiana leaders that Pres-
dent Wilson and the platform had de-
clared against tariff reductions which
would injure any legitimate industry.
by legitimate industry IN the plat
FORM" said the Kentucky Senator. lis
meant industrially legitimate and COM
mercially legitimate industry. 1t does not
refer 10 an industry which has had l25
wears Of government aid and protection
and is yet unable to take care Of itself
IF william II. Taft had had half the
courage Of Woodrow Wilson he would
have vetoed the Payne-Aldrich bill. and
bonhres would have been burned on every
hillside I'm his honor. and in my opinion.
he would have been reelected"
Two Of the Presidents daughters We're
in the gallery when the vote was taken.
Senator Smoot denounced certain feat
tres Of the wilson Underwood bill and
charged the Democrats with fayoritism
toward the cotton manufacturers OF the
South.
This is importers day" said Mr..
Smoot Some time ago one of them.
whose attention was called 10 an item OF
the bill which was thought to be mis-
take said: I'm sure that is right.
know it is. because / wrote IT myself.
Under the Party Lash.
Just before the hour for voting arrived
Senator Clark, OF Wyoming tainted the
Democrats with being driven under the
lash Of party expediency. "YOu propose
to pass the tariff not in the Senate" he
said. but behind the doors OF secret
caucus There are Senators on the other
side who know that important Industries
in their states are threatened-aye,
doomed-but they will submit against
their better judgment to the domination
Of their caucus"
Democrats said to-day that hearings
would be allowed by the subcommittee
Of the Finance Committee to all who de-
sired 20 protest against the tariff bill.
The Finance Committee will meet next
week 10 hear reports from the sub-com-
fnittees engaged IN consideration OF va