New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-13
WILSON MAY WEAKEN
ON SUGAR AND WOOL
impression Gaining Ground That
He Will Consent to Amend
ment of Schedules.
HOPING FOR A COMPROMISE
Democratic Senators Think the
President May Not Force
Them to Sign Their Poll
teal Death Warrants.
From Tho Tribune Bureau

Washington. May 19.-The impression is
gaining ground among members of Con-
grcss that President Wilson. deluged with
protests and besiegai by the members Of
his own party. is beginning to weaken in
his stand for free sugar and free wool and
may consent 20 the amendment of these
Two basic schedules of the House bill.
Democratic Senators opposed to free
sugar and free wool have begun to take
hope that the President will not force
them to put a blight on their own politi-
cal careers by voting for such tariff re-
vision. At the same time none OF them Is
willing, at present. to go the length OF de-
claring open hostility to the bill and of op-
posing the passage of the measure If his
support is demanded.
The lines have been drawn taut. almost
10 tho point of breaking. and although
there has been no evidence of yielding at
the White House Democratic leaders IN
the Senate to-day looked forward with
more confidence than they have hitherto
displayed to reaching a compromise which
will save them from the precarious situa-
ton in which they now find themselves.
COMPROMISE rates on wool and Il cent a
pound on sugar have been suggested. At
word from the President an amendment
TO this effect could be adopted by the
Finance Committee. or in caucus. where
the bill will be under consideration for a
week or more before it runs the gantlet
Of the Senate proper.
Such a course would leave the President
The Victor IN the tariff fight. with a sub
stantial reduction TO his credit, and at the
same time the Senators from the sugar
and wool states would be able TO vote for
the bill without feeling that they were
signing their own political death war
rants.
There is little doubt that the Democrats
will gain their point in the preliminary
clash with the Republicans on the ques-
ton OF hearings. Although several Demo-
Gratis expressed themselves to their con-
stituents as I'm favor OF hearings, they
have been brought into line and will vote
with the majority against the Penrose
motion. There is even possibility that
some Of the Republicans will support the
Democrats. largely on the ground that 1t
would be inexpedient 70 delay the pas
sage Of the bill. which is sure TO be enact
ed. and TO keep the business of the coun-
try i'm a state of uncertainty longer than
is absolutely necessary.
Threats of the administration TO inves-
tieate manufacturers who reduce wages
as the result of tariff revision were echoed
to-day By Senator Williams, who said
criminal prosecutions of offenders would
lie undertaken by the Department Of JUS
tice If il were shown that the wage reduc-
srht "A a
or combination which affected interstate
trade or commerce.
Paralysis OF industry in Porto Rico and
weakening of the ties between the United
States and the colony will result from the
proposed tariff revision. according 10 a
.tatement issued tonight by the members
OF a delegation from the island sent TO
Washington under a special act of the
Legislature. Its members are the Speaker
Of the House of Delegates, Jose de Diego;
the president of the Executive Council.
Martin Travieso and Carlos Cabrera and
Hector NJ Scoville. prominent planters
and business men.
The result of the free sugar clause,
coupled with the reduction OF the tariff
on citrus fruits, would. according TO the
delegation. be fourfold-parslysis and de-
struction Of the system Of public educa-
ton: PARALYSIS OF the development Of pub
lie works and sanitation; the throwing
into poverty and misery Of 5000 families
of laborers, representing 10000 men.
women and children. and the weakening
of the ties of affection between the people
Of Porto Rico and the people Of the United
States