The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-18
REPUBLICANS COMMENCE FIGHT
AGAINST DEMOCRATIC RE-
VISION MEASURE.
WANT PUBLIC HEARINGS
Protectionsts Demand That Bill Be
Brought From Committee and Dis
ers Make Ii Plain That No Such
Action Will Be Taken.

Washington, April 17.-The demo-
cratic tariff revision bill came in for
it's first attack in the senate today
and the sl1irmish outlined the scope
and vigor of the fight that will be
made against it by the republican
forces when tariff discussion begins
in the two houses. Backed by requests
from many interests for hearings on
certain sections Of the Underwood
bill, republican senators made a de-
mand upon members of the finance
committee for hearings and openly at
tackled the "secret legislation" now
going on in the democratic caucus of
house members.
Democratic senators who replied to
the attack made it clear that the
finance committee does not plan to
grant any public hearings. Senators
Williams and Stone insisted full hear
ings had been given by the house COM
mittee before the bill was prepared
while republican senators declared that
these hearings had been of little value
because the rates of the Underwood
bill We're not then known.
With many complaints and objec-
tions before them, republican members
of the senate are preparing for a
general attack on all schedules of the
bill Senator Smoot has put two ex-
perts at work to analyze the Under
wood bill and previous measures, to
give the proteetionists a basis for
their fight. Other republicans who
claim that important industries would
be wiped out by the Underwood bill
will insist that business men and
laboring men should have hearings be-
fore the new bill is passed.
Leaders Are Upheld.
The democratic house caucus worked
over the Underwood bill throughout
the day upholding the democratic
house leaders and President Wilson
upon all contested points. The wool
schedule was under fire throughout the
days session Attempts to put ready
made clothing on the free list and to
alter other rates in the bill We're de-
feated.
Late in the day, after the wool
schedule had been approved without
change, the caucus disposed in short
> order of the silk, pulp and paper and
sundry schedules, voting down all pro-,
pooCu hHi0IidtiiCii1s. l. le II ee llol was
under consideration when the demo-
Gratis adjourned until tomorrow.
Representative Underwood admitted
during the wool schedule discussion
that the proposed rates might have
serious effect upon some manufacture
ers. Representative Bathrick of Ohio
moved to place manufactured wool
and clothing on the free list instead
of being dutiable at 35 per cent The
amendment was voted down, 6S to 80.
Another motion by Representative
Bathrick to reduce the duty on ready
made clothing to Is per cent also was
lost.
Representative Decker of Missouri
criticized the ways and means COM
mittee and other members Of the
house, declaring that new men were
not given opportunity to express their
views. Representative Thomas of
Kentucky replied that new men, if they
had superior knowledge about tariff
rates, should come forward with their
information rather than criticize the
committee.
Wilson Commended.
Commencing President Wilson for
his part in the making of the tariff
bill, Mr.. Thomas said:
This city has been besieged by
lobbyists, corporation lawyers and
manufacturers who came here telling