The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-26
Not Expected That More Than
Two Democratic Votes viii
Be Cast Against
LOUISIANIANS PLEAD
FOR DUTY ON SUGAR
Newlands Joins But Free Trade
Provisions Go Through
By Overwhelming Vote
of 40 to 6

WASHINGTON. June 25-what
has been looked forward to as the
critical stage in the Democratic
caucus OF the senate on the tariff was
passed today, when the causus adopt
ed the free wool and the free sugar
paragraphs OF the Underwood bill
Senatorial opponents of free wool
and free sugar made a fight against
these paragraphs. but they met the
same fate as the Democrats who OPP
posed the administration program In
the house. Present prospects are
that as .he bill goes through IT Will
provide for free wool and free sugar
In accordance with the wishes OF
President Wilson.
Nothing To Fear.
Democratic leaders realize that
they have nothing to fear from Demo
Gratis who will vote against the tariff
bill on its final passage. They do not
expect that more than two senators
from their party will vote against 1t.
Eansdeil and Thornton. of Louisiana,
and even these may not do SO.
The opponents OF free sugar made
their final stand in support of an
amendment offered by Senator
Thompson. of Kansas. This amend
ment proposed to adopt the Under
wood sliding scale up to 1915. and
thereafter reduce the duty IS per
cent every year until free trade in
sugar Is reached. This amendment
commanded only eight votes
The caucus then adopted the
recommendation OF the Democratic
members OF the finance committee,
which Is the provision in the Under
wood hill az it passed the house. and
Is supported by the president by a
vote OF 40 TO s.
Make Plea for Sugar.
During the morning session Sena.
tors Ransdell, of Louisiana; and New
lands. OF Nevada. pleaded for q
revenue duty on sugar and raw wool
Senators Thomas. of Colorado: and
Lane. Of Oregon, opposed the duties
and spoke for free trade in these
articles Senator Lane urged that the
duties on many OF the manufactured
articles be further reduced also, par
ticulariy upon those which are made
by labor which Is paid mere pit
tarce hv the owners of factories
Senator Ransdell spoke at length
growing heated in his argument
against the proposed sugar rates and
asserting that the moment the bill
should become a law the louisiana
cane sugar industry would receive It's
death sentence. InouEn ne uiu nO'
openly declare that he would bolt the
caucus. he made 1t plain that he
would continue 10 fight the bill on
the floor unless change is made in
sugar.
That Ia equivalent to a reputation
Of the caucus. particularly II the
caucus proposes resolution binding
senator's to the bill 1t is practically
certain that neither Senators Rams
dell nor Thornton will remain in the
caucus II binding resolution Is pre-
sented.
Thomas Takes Issue.
Senator Thomas. OF Colorado. al
though coming from a beet sugar
State. took issue with his colleague
Senator Shafroth. maintaining that
free sugar will not injure the beet
sugar industry and claiming that the
beet sugar manufacturers want the
tariff kept up to aid them in carry
ing their overcapitalized industries.
He submitted figures to show that
the beet factories throughout the
country were greatly overcapitalized
Senator Newlands. who Is opposed to
free sugar at this time, argued Tor
more gradual reduction In all the
tariffs.