The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-04-23
TARIFF MEETS OPPOSITION.
FIRST ATTACK ON BlLn COMES
IN SENATE.
Republican Political Forces Unite to
Make Assault upon Democratic
rariT Revision Bill--Strong Oppo-
sition Expected.


ocratic tariff revision bill came In for
It's first attack In the senate today and
the skirmish outlined the scope and
vigor OF the fight that will be made
forces when tariff discussion begins In
the two houses. BY requests from
many interests for hearings on cer-
tain sections OF the Underwood bill,
Republican senator's made a demand
upon members OF the finance COM
mittee for hearings and openly at
lacked the secret legislation" Demo
cratic senator's who replied to the at
tack made IL clear that the fiance
committee does not plan to grant any
public hearings. Senator Williams
and Senator Stone insisted full hear
ings had been given by the house
committee before the bill was pre-
pared. while Republican senator's de-
clared that these hearings had been
OF little value because the rates of
the Underwood bill were not then
known.
With many complaints and objec-
tons before them Republican men,
bers OF the senate are preparing for
q general attack on all schedules of
the bill. Senator Smoot has put two
experts at work to analyze the I'm
derwood bill and previous measures
10 give the protectionists a basis for
their nght Other Republicans who
claim that important industries
would be wiped out by the Under
wood bill VIII again insist that bus
mess men and iaboring men should
have an opportunity to be heard bo-
fore the new bill Is passed.
The Democratic house caucus
worked over the Underwood bill
throughout the day. uphoiding the
Democratic house leaders and Pres
ident Wilson upon all contested
points. The wooden schedule was un-
der fire throughout the days ses-
sion. Attempts to put ready made
clothing on the free list and TO alter
other rates In the bill were defeated.
Representative Underwood address
ed the members on the scope OF the
bill and It's effect. He declared that
reductions In wool rates undoubtedly
would injure some factories but that
n would benefit the industry as a
whole. Certain factories OF old
equipment and less advanced business
methods. Mr.. Underwood said. prob
ably would be forced out OF business.
such concerns. he argued, were not
economically entitled to live and with
them out OF the way the industry as
a whole would beneth.
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
proposed amendments. The free list
was under consideration when the
Democrats adjourned until tomor-
row.
Representative Underwood admit
tea during the wool schedule discus
sion that the proposed rates might
have serious effect upon some manu-
faeturers. Representative Bathric of
Ohio moved to place manufactured
wool and clothing on the free list in
stead OF dutiable at 35 per cent ad
vaiorem. as proposed. The amend
ment was voted down. 90 to 80. An
other motion by Representative Bath
rio 90 reduce the duty on ready
made clothing 10 Is per cent also
was lost.
Representative Becker, new
member from Missouri. criticised the
ways and means committee and older
members OF the house. declaring that
new men were not given ample op-
portunity To- express their views.
Representative Thomas OF Kentucky
replied that new members. II they
had superior knowledgfie about tariff
rates. should come forward with their
inforamtion rather than criticise the
committee.
Commenting President Wilson for
his part In making the tariff bill. Mr..
Thomas said: This city has been be-
Siesed by lobbyists. corporation law
yers and manufacturers who came
here telling this committee what they
Thought ought to be done with the
'ar'n Members OF congress have told
tho committee wha, they thought Il
want TO say To you that the prosl-
dent OF the United States has just as
much right as any other citizen to
tell what he thinks. and out of 1000
Items no only expressed his opinion
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