The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-07
OSCAR UNDERWOOD
|TO|NTRODUCE TARIFF
BILL IN HOUSE TODAY
Confident That Measure
Will Be Indorsed By Big
Majority
| DISSATISFACTION
FELT IN SENATE
Unable to Agree Upon Plan Adopted
BY Wilson and Underwood.
No Serious Opposition in
Lower House

Washington, April s.--The democratic
tariff bill, approved by President Wilson
and the democrats of the House ways
ana means COMMITTEES will be introduced
In the House when 1t convenes at noon
tomorrow by Chairman Underwood.
House democrats will caucus on the bill
Tuesday and Chairman Underwood was
confident tonight that it would be in
dorsed by an overwhelming vote.
The Senate democrats had no plan to-
night TO hold a caucus on the BILL but
such a meeting may be called later. The
Senate finance committee democrats held
a three hour consultation today, but ap-
parently made little progress toward Civ
ing their Endorsement to the bill as il
now stands. 1t was evident that sena-
tors on the finance committee who have
sounded out members of the party on
the bill had not discovered satisfac-
tory margin to insure its passage. One
cent sugar with the free-in-three-years
proviso and free wool are the stumbling
blocks and the meeting today will be fol-
lowed by further investigation to feel
out the actual strength of the opposition
The Senators in conference today were
unable to agree upon the plan of the
President and Mr. Underwood for one
bill. They prefer separate bills and are
not convinced that any advantage is to
be gained by the other plans. This ques-
tion and that of the supposed aanti-free
wool and sugar combination will be dis
cussed with Mr.. Wilson tomorrow at a
conference at the White House.
Strategic Value
The Senators hope to convince the
President of the strategic value of sche-
dule by schedule revision in keeping op
position Senators in line.
Chairman Underwood said he expected
no serious opposition in the House. l,s
added that after the caucus approves
the bill the House would he given 8
week or 10 days for general debate upor
1t, beginning Wednesday. At the con
clusion of general debate the bill will
be taken up paragraph by paragraph ant
amepdments offered will be debated un.
der the five minute rule. Mr.. Underwood
was of the opinion that the bill SHOULD
pass the House about May 1. He woulc
not express decided opinion as to wher
the Senate might finish the bill, bu
thought eight weeks might suffice.
The meeting of the democrats of tn,
Sapate 6papea eop,p,ittaa did mot rasnl
in discussion of particular schedules
but of general policy. 1t was plain
however, that the threatened troubl,
over the prospect of free sugar and FIRE.
wool was source of embarrassment
Leaders who wish to see the bill as i
stands receive the committees indorse
ment and that of the caucus were no
certain how much strength the Sena
tors opposed to these two schedules
might be able to muster There was les
of the confidence than characterized for
mer meetings and efforts to obtain
more accurate showing of how the forces
are to line up will be continued.
Some Dissatisfaction
There has been some dissatisfaction
over the fact that senator's have had bu
little to do with framing a bill designed
as a party measure. Today the demo
Gratis of the finance committee got thei
first explanation of it from Chairman
Underwood, who was in conference will
them for an hour and a half. Some O
them are said to feel some hesitanc,
about taking immediate action approving
the bill without fuller investigation
1t was suggested that although tn,
measure is to be known as a party ans
administration bill its passage by caucu,
no an " 1tco Of
lead TO trouble within the party later i
the states which are now protestins
against certain schedules should b,
joined by still others.
Washington, April 6.-President Will
son stands firmly for a rate of / cent
per pound on sugar and the remova
of all duty after three years This Is
his final determination and he is con
fident that a single tariff measure with
such a provision can pass
This information came from White
House officials late tonight 1t dis
posse of the various alternatives which
hitherto have been. under considera-
tion.
The President had been reported as
saying that unless the sugar men from
Louisiana accepted the cent proposal
he would insist on free sugar al once
They suggested to him they would ac-
cept the ] cent rate provided at the
end of three Years he use his discre-
ton as to whether the duty should be
removed.
To all proposals the President is pre-
pared to make one answer-that he be-
lieves ! cent rate should be imposed
so that the sugar growers can adjust
their business and after three years
sugar should be on the free list The
President, II was learned. believes the
sugar business in Louisiana would be
seriously affected by Immediate free
sugar, but is satisfied a satisfactory
adjustment is possible, so that free