The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-22
Republicans Will Assail Tariff and Hamper Dem ocrats' Efforts to Raise Money for Preparedness
UNDERWOOD WILL
 MEET PENROSE IN
 CLASH AFTER CLASH
Majority Leader Kitchin Will Be At tackled in the House By Long
 worth and Other Leaders on the Republican Side
Ny HUGH ". ROBERTS


 Washington. December 21.-tspecinIt Up to the present moment the fighting in Congress has been of n desuItory character. When the body reconvencs an almost tndeterminabIe struggle.
 And it begins to appear that the fea-
 ture of the session will be a repetition
 of the tariff debates which signalfzed
 the first year of the administration of
 President Wilson, The debate Is de-
 stined to be under two heads CD
 Would the Underwood tariff, but for
 the interference of the European war,
 have served in the raising of adequate
 revenue with which to operate tho
 government? and CD What course
 shall be pursued in meeting a deficit
 and preparing this nation for any for
 eign complications of a warlike nature
 in the future7
 The debate In the House will be joined by MT, xitchin, leader of the majority forces, and former first lieutenant of Senator Underwood, author of the bill and MT. Longworth. who was the right hand man of MT. Payne when that gen. tleman was chairman of the ways and means committee.
 THE ADMINISTRATORS PLAN
 In the Senate, the debate will be be- tween Senator Simmons, chairman of the france committee, and Senator Under- wood. author of tho Underwood tariff law, and in behalf of the republicans. Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania, chief opponent in the upper branch of tho Underwood law when it was on it's pas sage through Congress.
 It seems to be the plan of the adminis- tration to present first of all a series of bills providins foY the construction of varships and the enlargement of the army in accordance with the expressed ideas os President Wilson and Secretary Me Adoo, and secondly, @ series of bills pro- viding for direct taxation on various com modities in order that money in sufficient quantities might be raised to put into effect plans for preparation which will have previously been authorized.
 The debate and subsequent struggle will be long drawn out. 1t Is said to be cer- tain.
 SITUATION IS COMPLICATED
 The situation is complicated on account Of Leader Kitchin's opposition to pre- paredness" and tho alleged action of cer- tain democrats, bond issue advocates, in secretly hoping that committees will not report bills providing for unpopular direct taxation. In the long run. however ac- cording to best Washington opinion, the democratic or administration side will score a victory, although it Is generally predicted that even to the extent sug- gested by the President, the country will not be prepared The idea prevails that President Wilson would proceed a trife too far, this despite the fact that Mir. Roosevelt has expressed scorn of the plan because of his contention that 1t is mere subterfuge,
 The indications are that in the coming session Senator Underwood despite his recent admission to the Senate. will win his spurs. It is known that the admin istration plans to depend to great ex- tent on his ability as legal financier and his incomparable art in welding to- gether discordant factions.