Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-12-03
TILTS 4S OVER TARIFF
 IN THE HOUSE
Proposition to Continue Tax on Sugar Will Open Ener-
 getic Debate.

Washington, Dec. 2.-The tariff will be tae subject of some lively tilts in the house of representatives imme- diatelv after congress cOnvenes. The ancient subject will be opened to de- bate when the Democratic leaders propose the continuation of the tax on sugar. which under the provisions of the Underwood act would end next year.
 As soon as the amendment is pro- posed by the Democrats, the whole tariff question will have to be talked over. fought over, wrangled over and tchught over, in the manner of the last century. The Republicans will submit their own tariff bill propos- ing taxes along the well-known Re publican lines. The Democrats will contend that the Underwood bill needs only slight amendment. The high tariff advocates will point out that the present deficit in the nation al revenues. necessitating emergency measures, is due to the inadequate tariff while the low tariff disciples will argue that the tariff has nothing to do with the lack of revenue in this case because we are getting very few imports to tax.
 The bitterest fight in the house will be or preparedness. Although polls istration defense program will be sup ported by a majority in both cham bers there will be sufficient opposi- lion in the house to produce an inter- esting contest over it's adoption.
 Aside from the opposition led by C!aud Kitchin, who will succeed Os- car Underwood as Democratic leader, some careful manelvering will be re- quired of the preparedness leaders in filling the ranks of the naval affairs committee. This committee loses four "big navy" members, among them Hobson, this session. and it will be necessary for the preparedness leaders, in order to insure success of the administration defdense plans. to select fo rthe four vacancies new members who can be depended upon to fight for a big navy
 Fight on Kitch!n.
 There are some indications of fight to be made against Kitchin for floor leader, despite the fact that the Democratic caucus has already chos- en him to take Underwood's place. K;tchin's recent utterances against President Wilson's defense program have caused mnay members to ex- press regret at his selection as lead CT and some have openly declared their opposition to his retention in that important place. The only cir cumstance to restrain members from fighting Kitchin to the last ditcl will be the slenderness of the Democratic majority in the house and the neces- sity for complete harmony at all times to insure success of administration measures.
 In the formation of the committees, chairmanship will as usual so to Southern Democratic members, who under the rule of seniority become the ranking members of the commit tees they are on.
 While every effort is to be made by leaders to hurry congress in order for the members to get home for the pri- maries, conventions and elections, there is little likelihood that the de- bates in the house of representatives will permit adjournment before mid
 
 sumner at the earliest. The admin istration is extremely desirous of get ting congress out of the way for the campaign and congressman and sena- tors are anxious to get home to "tend to their own knitting" but this will not prevent an effort on the part of some Republican members to keep congress in session and in the lime light throughout the campaign. The Democratic caucus scheduled for this Saturday, December 4, prom ;ses to produce some entertaining de- velopments. The possibility of a fight against Kitchen, the adoption of a program for appropriation bills, and the outlining of the plan for the pre- paredness measures, will furnish am- munition for much warfare.