The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-04-09
OPPONENTSOFN new
TARIFF BEGIN
TO APPEAR
Southern Mill Interests Against
Cotton Rate
WOOL MEN ARE ANXIOUS
Texas Ranchers Are Bitter over Free
Meats, But Get No Help
From President

Washington, April 8.-President W.
son today captivated his congresslon-
al audience His delivery of a mes
sage in person is conceded tonight to
have been distinct success. Those
who had scoffed are now saying it
made no particular difference anyway.
Many of them Joined in the remark
able burst of applause which Senate
and House gave him as he concluded.
Those fortunate enough to get in
side looked on as though an epoch
were in the making. The President
was exceedingly tactful. He was cheer
ed only slightly when he appeared
with an escort of senators and repre-
sentatives. There was no suggestion
of the big stick in his words. In fact,
he explained his motive at the outset.
1t was to avoid the isolation of the
president in dealing with Congress.
And it is quiet certain, so happily was
the practice revived. today, that here
after the presidtn can go to Congress
to deliver his messages without arous-
ing unfriendly comment.
Otherwise the legislature today has
been largely given over to caucusing.
House democrats wrangled most of
the afternoon, but made small prog
ress with their tariff bill. The ques-
ton of public caucus was raised and
after much discussion was oerwhelm-
ingly defeated. The caucus will meet to
morrow again. AS to the provisions
in the bill, congressman are promptly
hearing from the constituents. A pro-
cession of those protesting began to-
day at the White House Offices. Tex
as was rampant over free meats. Pres
ident Wilson heard what Texas visi-
tors had to say. but yielded no encour
agement of change in the measure.
The American cotton association. com
posed largely of southern manufactur-
ers, adopted resolutions here today
condemning the cotton schedule. AS
far as New England is concerned the
wool manufacturers appear to be most
stirred. Many communications from
then. were received today by New
England congressman.
Notwithstanding all this and much
more that might be cited, examination
of the tariff bill encourages the view
lndl Tie ~ 10
excessive. Representative Peters of
Boston, member of the ways and
means, declared today there was much
to be said in favor of the cotton SEIZED
ule because it provided higher duties
for the finer grades of goods, and that
the boot and shoe industry has an ad-
vantage in free tanning extracts and
free leather. New England democrats
are still little chary of praising the
bill, but many of them believe at
heart it is soaring manufacturers at
home more than ii is likely to hurt
them. Naturally, republicans in Con-
gress are making the most possible
of this situation. Within Few days
the procedure of attack and defense
will b. in full swing at the capitol and
the country will have opportunity to
Judge from authentic information.
Republicans of the House issued a
call today for caucus Friday, when
they propose to consider a tariff pro-
gram. They probably will not pre-
sent bill of their own. Representa-
tive A. p. Gardner of Massachusetts
has given. assignment as the republi-
can member of ways and means from
New England.