Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-06
TARIFF SOLE ISSUE
House Wants No Other Bust
ness in Special Session.
SUSPECTS THE SENATE
Would Curb Possible Efforts in Be-
half Of Monopolies.
PLAN NOW BEFORE WILSON
President Weighs Suggestions Of
Leaders-Representative Palmer
Confers With Chief Executive.
PLAN NOW BEFORE WILSON

If President Wilson gives his assent to
the democratic program, as virtually
agreed upon by the leaders Of the House,
the special session of Congress will be
devoted exclusively to the revision Of the
tariff and the passing Of the few appro-
priation bills that failed at the last
session.
The question is up to the President, and
he is thinking over the matter. The be-
lief was strong today that he would pat
his o. K. on the program, which would
mean that the country will witness the
spectacle of special session working
wholly upon one big problem.
House Democrats Theory.
The theory upon which House demo-
Gratis are proceeding, is that tariff bills
are generally murdered in a private sort
Of way in the Senate; that favoritism for
monopolies is shown and protection Of
the interests accomplished in that body
and will continue to be done unless the
spotlight of public sentiment Is focused
there just at the right time.
df the House. after passing one or a
number of tariff revision bills then pro-
tenton Of the people will be divided. But
If the tariff bills go to the Senate and
the House marks time while the Senate
works the eyes of the public will be CEN
tered there; the thoughts of the admins
tration Will be directed that way, and
attempts at hocus-pocus with the tar1n
will probably meet with exposure.
Wilson Told Of Situation.
Democratic leaders sincerely anxious to
give to the country tariff law that will
be honest and fair to the people and to
business interests and at the same time as
free from favors to big interests as pos
sible have not hesitated to tell President
Wilson that the Senate is the place where
the butchery of tariff bills is done and
that it is generally done by able but
scheming men seeking to secure favors for
big interests to which they have long been
friendly.
There is no suggestion to the President
that the democratic majority in the Sen
ate cannot be trusted, but it is urged that
the majority is surrounded on all sides by
the ablest generals of the protective tar1n
and of the old school thought. These
forces, the President is now being told
will hoodwink the administration If possi-
BILE, and the best way to prevent this is to
force a concentration of the country's at
tention there all the time the tariff bills
are in that body. Watch every move in
the Senate and turn on the lights! Is to
be the democratic watchword.
President Wilson, although strongly de-
string a revision of the currency and
financial laws as early as possible, Is
known to be giving a most attentive ear
to the proposition to make the tariff the
only business of the special session. He
will not pass the word finally, however,
until he has conferred at length with
democratic leaders in both houses.
Palmer in Conference.
Representative A. Mitchell Palmer of
Pennsylvania. who has been elected chair
man of the democratic caucus, and who
is generally credited with coming close
to being the administration leader in the
House. conferred for some time with
President Wilson today.
Mr.. Palmer did not care to talk about
his visit further than to say he told
the President that the democrats in
the House will have everything ready
to go on with the work OF the extra
session, and that there is every pros
pect of party harmony.
Mr.. Palmer did not know when the
official call for the extra session would
be issued, and said that was wholly
matter of routine, Congress under
standing fully that 1t would meet
April l.
tinguished body at the north end OF
the Capitol said Representative Fitz-
gerald, at the White House today, Il
favor an extra session devoted ex-
clusively to the tariff
Mr. Fitzgerald will confer tomorrow
with President Wilson about the ap-
preparation bills yet to be passed.