The Washington times., 1913-04-10
BASEBALL V|ES WITH
CAUCUS FOR FAVOR
Democrats Fear That Quorum
Will DWindIe Today When
Two Teams Start.

Unless the lure of the baseball park
causes too much of an exodus from the
chamber and breaks a quorum, the
House Democrats will continue their
wrangling this afternoon over the Un-
-derwood tariff bill.
The caucus reconvened at 80 o'clock,
but Chairman Palmer was by no means
confident that the party conclave could
continue until O'Clock, as planned. In
fact, the caucus chairman and other
Democratic leaders are aware that the
baseball season opens today, and an
adjournment will be taken If il is i'm
possible to keep a quorum at the Cap
itol.
Prior to convening of the caucus to-
day the tariff and the national game
of baseball were compared, and 1t was
estimated that the batting average of
the tariff is .1s6 and OF the sport at the
ball park .342.
Members of the Ohio delegation be-
fore going into the caucus this after
noon held a caucus in the office of
Congressman Sherwood and tried to
reach an agreement on the subject of
the wool bill.
Badly Split.
The Democrats of the delegation are
badly split, and no concerted plan of
action was mapped out. Several men,
bers are willing to stand by the free
raw wool section of the Underwood bill
and others want to fight for at least a
10 per cent duty. 1t is improbable that
= the delegation can present a solid front
in caucus
Congressman Broussard of Louisiana
announced today that he would offer in
caucus, when the sugar schedule is
reached, an amendment providing for a
25 per cent reduction in the present
rof h,,t ali =,
derwood proviso that sugar shall be
free after three years. The Louisiana
members have practically decided to
take the rs per cent cut in the new
tariff bill, but they will fight to the end
against the slogan for free sugar after
three years.
Congressman Broussard OF some
! other member from Louisiana or from
South Carolina will also offer an amend
ment for reduction of only 20 per cent
of the duty on rice. In the Underwood
, bill. rice suffered so per cent cut. 1t
is not anticipated, however, that ef-
forts to change these rates will be sue
cessful.
p. The caucus today resumed consideTa-
ton of the second schedule in the bill,
schedule B. The first schedule, re-
lating TO chemicals, was approved with
out amendment by the caucus yes
.srday afternoon. vanilla beans were
passed over at the request OF Congress
man Raker.
Numerous amendments were offered
and defeated, and it is apparent that
here and there, will stand the test ir
the caucus and will go the House just
as il was drawn.
Congressman Underwood. the majority
leader, displayed his strength upon
three occasions yesterday, or rather the
caucus demonstrated that il is for I'm
derwcod and his program. First. the
caucus approved the selections of the
vTNn,a r=Nt fr,- rna
several committees which are to be ap-
POINTED to conduct the actual routine
business Of the House
Again Victor.
Again, Mr.. Underwood was triumph
int when he suggested that the sense
OF the caucus be tested on the proposi-
ton that all the committees ought to
be named at the beginning of the ses-
sion and before the tariff bill Is COM
pleted. Congressman Saunders, of Viz
ginia, offered a resolution to appoint all
standing committees at this tine and
later Withdrew il when * became aP-
Ways and Means Committee in its pro-
gram of delay. The talk of the holding
of Club" over the rank and nile SIM
mered down.
Congressman Thompson OF Oklahoma
who raised a rumpus in caucus Tuesday
afternoon, observed that the Ways and
Means Committee had too much work
and too much power He thought q sep
arate committee on committees should
be named Mr.. Underwood invited the
Oklahoman to make a motion to that ef
feet in order to ascertain how the eau
Gus felt. Mr.. Thompson decided he
wouldn't
Legislative representatives, - some
tinres called "lobbyists"-of great man
ufacturing interests swarmed about the
House chamber today, when the Demo-
Gratis resumed their tariff caucus. Con-
tinuing their fight for higher duties on
many articles, slashed in the Underwood
bill. the manufacturers representatives
held continual low-toned conferences
with Congressman in the Capitol cor
ridors.
Resume Conference.
With the Underwood bill So far i'm
pervious to assault, the Democrats met
this afternoon to resume consideration
in secret caucus of the tentative bill.
Paragraph by paragraph.
Pittsburgh plate glass manufacturers
were represented in force today at the
House. protesting against the tariff
cuts on their rough and polished prod
ucts. New Jersey glass and earthen-
ware manufacturers also were presenT. I
pleading for more tariff protection.
The House postoffoce was inundated
with mall to congressman, mostly ap-
peals in connection with tariff duties
Congressman opposing the sugar tariff |
proposed by the House managers are |
said 10 be organizing a letter-writing |
campaign of protest among Southern |
cane growers They are supporting the |
amendment TO the Underwood bill pro- |
posed by Congressman Broussard of |
Louisiana. He proposes a reduction of |
about IL cents a pound at present |
gradually dwindling to 81 OF l cent |
by 1915.
All efforts 10 amend the Underwood |
bill in caucus have failed so far The
nearest approach was that of Mr.. Webb |
81 North Carolina, TO put castor oil On |
the free list. Webb said castor oil was |
the poor mans greatest medicine" 1
His amendment was defeated, however.