Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 277, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1912 — NEXT SPRING’S TARIFF REVISION [ARTICLE]

NEXT SPRING’S TARIFF REVISION

Democrats of tbe Country Are Giving Much Thought to the Extra Session to Be Called. Washington, Nov. 17. —The form that tariff revision is to take before the special session of congress next spring has become a matter of strong individual opinion among democratic senators and congressmen now here. Unless the plan to revise the entire tariff law in a single bill should be adopted it is believed democratic leaders will urge the calling of the special session before April 16. That date was set by President-elect Wilson as the latest upon which he would assemble the new congress. Democrats here believe the new house can begin work in March soon after the present administration retires from power and the organization toe ready for legislation in April. It is expected that shore hearings will be given by t' e house ways and means committee to industries vitally affected by proposed tariff changes. The extent of these hearings,* according to democratic members of the house who favor them, will not be such as to interfere with early action on the tariff bills. Senator Gore today expressed the opinion that the entire tariff revision should be concluded before next July, permitting the inauguration of the new schedules with the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1. To secure perfect co-operation between house and senate, Senator Gore said he probably would suggest a joint steering committee of members of the two houses to act together during the approaching short session, in the formulation of a tariff measure for the extra session. It is not the purpose of the republicans to allow the democratic program to be put through, without remonstrance. They will ask hearings on many of the schedules and republican senate leaders expect to be able to make effective opposition in many Instances. Senator’ Smoot declared today that a free sugar bill could not be passed, as southern democrats would oppose such a bill. President Taft’s declaration in favor of a constitutional amendment to limit the presidential tenure of office to a single term of six years with ineligibility to either a succeeding or non-consecutive term and Presidentelect /Wilson’s endorsement of the democratic platform favoring such a limitation, are believed here to foreshadow strong pressure for legislation along this line early in the coming congress.