The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-29
CONGRESS To YIELD
TOPROTESTS FROM
FOREIGN NATIONS
Will in All Probability ELM
mate Import Provision
of Tariff
WILSON INTIMATES
HE WILL NOT OBJECT
Will Seek to Modify Another Clause
Which Compels Foreign Merchants
to Submit Books to Agents.
Two Conferences

Washington May 2s.-Congress in all
probability wilr yield to the protests of
foreign nations against the provisions in
the Underwood tariff bill granting a
per cent tariff discount on imports in
American owned or controlled vessels
hhat the provision can be eliminated
from the bill without harm, and that
Congress has no desire to insist upon leg
aslatlon that will be embarrassing to for
eign nations or interfere with treaty OBJ
hgations was admitted today by admins
tration leaders who are in charge of the
BILL President Wilson Is said to have
1ntimated that he would not object to hav-
Ing the clause eliminated.
This action, it was reported, would
be recommended by the Senate finance
subcommittee headed by Senator John
sharp Williams, which is considering the
administrative features of the bill. The
subcommittee also will seek to modify
another clause which compels foreign
merchants to submit their books to an
American agent in case of disputed valua-
fusal that the goods be excluded from en-
try.
Strong Protests
Germany, France and England have
made strong protests against this clause
and assurances were given today that an
effort will be made to eliminate the OBJ
jectional features.
Two important conferences were held
today on the foreign protests. One was
between Senator Simmons, chairman of
the finance committee. and Secretary
Bryan and John Bassett Moore. coun-
sellor of the state department. The other
conferees We're Senators William and
Shively of the finance committee and Rep
representative Peters of Massachusetts,
who had charge of the administrative
section of the tariff bill for the House
ways and means committee. 1t wis re-
ported that the state department held it
to be nequitable that the 5 per cent
debenture clause violated the foreign
treaties. During the conference protests
against the clause from eight nations
We're received
1t was generally expected tonight that
the House would yield to a Senate amend
ment striking out the clause
Down to Bedrock
As the Senate subcommittee got down
TO bed rock today and began considera-
tion of proposed changes in the bill they
found long job ahead of them .Spurred
on to finish the schedules within a week
If possible, they aimed to hold day and
night executive sessions, but some of them
feared that even in this way they would
be unable, however, to be ready for the
full committee before 10 days.
10 uyH1n
emphatic in declaring that whatever
was done by the committee there would
be no changes in raw wool or sugar. As
sas as the committee is concerned this
seems to be determined. The fight to
change them will be made in the caucus
but the present prospect Is that the ad-
Ininistration forces will not yield
through. 4f
A report that the rates on WOODEN manu-
xacturers would be increased was denied
by Senator Simmons.
In response to a request from Senator
WILLIAMS, Lincoln, k Passmore of the
Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance
company today presented statistics to es-
tablish the contention that his company
IL entirely mutual, and that all its funds
are exclusively diverted to the interest
of the interests of the membership. He
lltemzed statements of the transactions of
the year 1872 showing the disposition of
Ill fun0S 1nat were presented. MI. GaSS-
more declared the proposed act discrimi-
mated against mutual life insurance COM
'panies.
Go Over Protests
Representative Hull of Tennessee, au-
thor of the income tax section of the bill,
was in conference with Senators Williams
and Shively for several hours, going over
the protests which have been filed. Mr..
Hull pointed out later that the two chief
features of the section which have been
under fire were the causes fixing the grad
uated tax-the sur-tax upon incomes over
k20.O00-and the provision for taxation of
dividends of insurance companies.
both of these provisions are beyond
criticism In my opinion Mr. Hull said.
s.The graduated tax has been approved
nv the federal judiciary in the New Jer-
sew district court and the court of ap-
reals sustained the validity of such grad
Sated tax plans"
The Senate committee, however,, will
-tudv the insurance feature of the bill
very thoroughly, and some members are
veported not OF be satisfied with its pro-
xisions as affecting mutual companies.
Senator Pittman Of Nevada, accom-
oanied by Senator Hughes of New Jer-
sav called at the White House today and
@oid the President that he did not hold the
.riaws OF his colleague Senator Newands,
reIatinr to the tariff bill. He is counted
upon to support the administration on
sugar and wool.
Taft to Lay Corner Stone