The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-21
Will Insist Upon Numerous
Amendments to Under
wood Bill
PROGRESS CERTAIN
TO BE PROLONGED
No Concerted Effort Made Purposely
to Delay Passage, But PurpOsed
Tactics Will Handicap Eff
forts of the Democrats
DAY IN CONGRESS.

Senate: Met at noon.
Finance committee democrats head
preliminary reports of subcommittee
considering tariff schedules.
Territories committee was told by
Delegate wickersham that opposition
to government railroad in Alaska
came from Alaskan syndicate.
Referred to finance committee mo-
tions to disclose names of all parties
about appearing before subcommittee
on tariff hearings. Confirmed large
number of President Wilson's nominal
tions.
Agreed to vote June 25 on nomina-
tion of w. ]. Harris as director of the
census.
Adjourned s:25 p. m. until Q p. m.
Thursday.
House: Met at noon and adjourned at
1910 until noon Friday.
Representative Sisson gave notice he
would speak on the California Japan
ese situation Friday.
Representative Rouse introduced res
olution for / cent postage after July
/, 1914.
Bill for constitutional amendment
providing direct election and six year
term for President and vice president
introduced by Representative Britten
Representative Hay introduced bill
TO provide medal for meritor'ous serv-
ice for army and navy men with 81
extra pay monthly.
Washington, May 2o.-That repub-
iican senators plan to insist upor
amendments to nearly every item ir
the Underwood tariff bill when 1t comes
before the Senate for general discus
Ision became evident today when Sen
.ator Penrose. former chairman of the
finance committee, declared that ev-
cry member of the minority would have
amendments to propose.
Senator Penrose told the Senate he
knew of no concerted effort to be made
purposely to delay the passage of tht
bill, but said he was assured that the
minority would offer many amendments
to the schedules offered by the demo
Gratis Senator Smoot also announced
that the introduction OF amendrnsnts
would begin as soon as the bill came
from committee and that many roll
Is pursued Systematically the journey
of the bill through the Senate is cer-
tain to be prolonged
Senator Simmons has called for to-
morrow the first meeting of the mem
bership of the finance committee Il
consider questions relating to the tar
If. One matter to be determined will
be the list of questions on the tariff
TO be sent to manufacturers through
out the country. Senators simmons
Stone and Williams will submit list
for the committees approval.
Public Briefs
During debate today on the matter
of ma king public the briefs filed by
manufacturers with the finance sub
committees, Senator Townsend of Mich
tgan engaged in a colloquy with SEN
etor Simmons, relative to the alleged
threats of manufacturers to reduce
wages and the counter intention oi
the administration through the bureau
of corporations to investigate concerns
which might reduce wages. followina
tariff reductions.
rs the senator alvarez" asked Sen.
ator Townsend. "of any condition ex-
listing which will make possible this
proposed coercion on the part of the
government as indicated by the Secre-
tary of Commerce."
Remarks of the secretary relating
s..
replied Senator Simmons, have growr
out of threats constantly made by the
protected interests. that they would
reduce wages unless they are per-
mitted to retain the excessive tariff
rates..
Can the senator give any specific
cases where such threats have beer
made?" Senator Townsend continued.
Il can refer the senator to the hear
1ngs before the ways and means COM
mittee, where statements were repeat
edly made by manufacturers that II
duties were reduced they would be
forced to and would cut wages.
would also refer him to the briefs
filed with the finance committee, which
are full of such statements"
Does the senator construe as a
threat the statement of a manufacture,
that certain changes would force him to
cut expenses?" asked the Michigan sen
ator.
Threat or Statement
"The senator may construe it as he
sees fit" Senator Simmons concluded
call 1t a threat or a statement, bu,
the Secretary of Commerce had ref
erence to these constant warnings by
representatives of the protected indus
tries that they would not suffer in their
own pockets from tariff reductions but
would shoulder the loss upon their en-
ployes"
Prolonged discussion centered upon ar
effort begun by Senator Penrose to have
the names of manufacturers who appear