Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-04-08

(By Morning journal Special Leased Wire)
Washington. April THE demo-
cratic party, in fun possession OF the
executive and legislative branches oil
the national government today turn
ed the wheels of legislation toward "a
revision of the tariff.
Leaders Of the house presented to
the country a tariff biiL volumnoua
in detail. and radical IN It's proposed
reduction of existing duties. As a
whole it was the product Of debate
and study hy the democrats from the
time they came into the majority IN
the house two years ago, but it rep
resented particularly the conclusions
Of the house ways and means commit
tee. after several months of work. IL
carried also the approval Of the presi-
dent.
Coincident with the introduction OF
the measure in the house in the open
ing hours of a session. called espe-
cially to revise the tar.ff the presi-
dent WAS turning over in ms miAd
questions Of procedure and strategy
upon which the success or failure OF
the party program may depend. While
the democratic majority in the house
is sufficient to secure tariff revision
by single bill or by a series of bills,
embracing separate schedules, the sit
uation in the senate admittedly is diff
ferent, as sectional interests already
have produced augnments which
make the question of a single bill, or
a series Of bills, all-important.
Seven of the democratic members
OF the senate finance committee,
headed by Chairman Simmons told
the president today that an attempt
to put through a single bill would be
hazardous. With all schedules mold
ed in a single BILL they argued that
the enemies of separate schedules,
feeling certain pressure from their
constituents who might be adversely
affected. would unite and the whole
measure could be defeated The
president said he did not believe any
Of the democratic senators would seek
TO shoulder the responsibility for de-
teating the program of the party. He
nevertheless heard in detail the argu-
ments advanced for a schedule by
schedule revision and decided to con-
suit again with Representative oscar
Underwood, leader of the house who
favors the single bill program.
The president talked the situation
over with Mr. Underwood late today.
The latter declared as he left the
White House thar the president still
was undecided and that no conclusion
had been reached. The presidents
disposition is to await developments
Mr.. Underwood said the caucus Of
house democrats would begin tomor-
row to consider items, and that the
question of reporting single bin
from the ways and means committee
or segregating those portions around
which opposition centers would not
have to be decided Immediately.
The president decided in the mean
time he will canvass through his
friends. the situation in the senate
If it becomes apparent that single
bill cannot pass. ii is not unlikely tntt
he will consent to segregation &c
the sugar schedule, providing for a
duty Of l cent with the free in three
years provision. from the rest Of the
bill This, il is believed would insure
passage of the great bulk Of tariff
reforms by the democrats in the sem
ate, while the sugar schedule would
be pulled through with the aid OF
progressive republican votes. The
Louisiana senators are being urged BY
their constituents TO oppose ultimate
free sugar and are said TO have the
support of other democratic members. |
just what opposition might be ex
pected by those who are opposed to
free wool was not apparent today. |
Senator Ashurst. who. it is reported, |
would vote against the bill. because
j provided for free wool, denied IN
the floor of the senate that he lad J
any such intention.
While there had been little time for
the senate to study the measure. def
nite expressions of opinions are ex-
pected by the end of the week. aao IN |
the meantime the caucus Of house
democrats Is expected to present a
soiid front in favor Of the contents of |
the bill. II is the program, at pres
ent. of Representative Underwood and |
MS colleagues Of the ways and means
committee majority to recommend to
the caucus the adoption Of the bill in
umnibus form, but Mr.. Underwood