The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-19
President Wilson Sue
cessfully Tightens Up
Democratic Lines.
LITTLE WAVERING
TO BE FOUND NOW
Except Louisiana Senators, All
Majority Members of Upper
House Will Be Found Voting
for Free Wool and Sugar.
Determined Stand Routs
Uncertainty.

washington, May lS-The effect OF
President Wilson's public declaration
that there would be no compromise on
1ree wool and free sugar in three
years in the new tariff, has been the
subject OF constant discussion since
the chief executive made his pronun-
rlamento In the presence Of assembled
newspaper correspondents last week
Administration leaders declared that
the PreBidents assertion has served
TO strengthen tho party lineup in the
senate. and they point TO the vote on
the question OF public hearings on the
tariff bill as an indication OF the solid
arity OF the majority. Before the
President came out so strongly In the
face Of the tremendous lobby influence
that completely surrounds the Capt.
toL the legislative air was surcharged
with uncertainty. On every hand was
heard the report that the Finance Com
mittee was planning 10 put duty on
wool Or to leave sugar at the end %;
three-yeRr period with small!
tariff
TiEhtens Party Ropes.
20 thick and fast did the rurnors NJ
that tho President decided that a little
tightening OF the party ropes would
DO no harm. Taking "a firm grip on
the executive end OF the string that
leads to Capitol I'm. he called in the
gave strong pull Up TO that time
several Democrats had been reported
10 he wavering on the subject or pup
lie hearings Al least 1--WE Democrats
We're considering voting for the Pen
ro6e-La Toilette amendment But
when the President reairrmeo his de-
termination to stand by the schedules
which he virtually dictated into the
tariff bill. only Senator'S Ransden ana
Thornton. OF Louisiana. broke through
the party lines to remain outside until
the end
Another phase OF the tariff discus
sion in The Senate served as fore
runner, Indicative of the cxact situa
lion. That was the Interpretation OF
TO free sugar. given by Senator Ollie
James. ot Kentucky. as the Hpokes-
man for the administration. When
the Louisiana Senators attempted TO
put President Wilson and the party
on record AS opposed to free sugar. the
executive head OF the party took no.
tice again. and on Friday morning
ed TO n nat denial OF the allegations
made by the insurEent Democrats,
who are nghting to break up the ma
jority on the sugar schedules.
Senator James declared that the
party did favor free sugar. that II
CampaiENcd OF tnat issue and wltn
the knowledge OF the President lie
challenged any one To lind Il man wto
could truthfully assert that Woodrow
Wilson ever said he opposed free
sugar. Again the administration
scored.
There Will lie No Change.
Now the Democrats of the Senate
have the tariff bill to themselves.
For two or perhaps three weeks the
bill Will be In the hands OF the Fin
ance Committee. and. whatever other
schedules may he altered. the assur-
ance has gone out that no change in
wool or sugar Will be recommended
when the bill reaches tho party eau
cuses.
Then behind closed doors the Demo
cratic Senators will have their final
conference on the bill. The caucus
1t Is understood. Will he a binding one.
Western Senators who would like a
tariff on wool and those who want n
change in sugar. will make their las;
stand There are some who believe
that no change will he made. and that
not more than one other Senator will
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