New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-30
WASHINGTON NEWS.
THE WORK OF THE TARIFF COMMISSION.

THE WORK OF THE TARIFF COMMISSION.
NO SWEEPING CHANGES LIKELY To BE RECON-
MFNpEp-TARIFF REVISION BY THE PRESENT
CONGRESS NOT EXPECTED.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29.-The stenographic re-
mort of the statements made before the Tariff Commits
sion is nearly completed and Il expected that, within
week II will be in type and ready for distribution by
the Government Printing Office. Under the law creating
the commission it was made the duty Of the Public
Printer distribute copies the testimony 20 Senators
and Representatives just fast and as printed By
the time that the House Committee OF Ways and Means
meets in the Capitol two weeks from now, the complete
report properly indexed viii b. their table, ready
tor such consideration and action as may be deemed
advisable.
Altogether the commission travelled about 1000
miles, held public sessions tor about seventy days, ana
heard the statements Of between five and ak hundred
persons. The printed record Will AL about two thousand
pages aud as there but official reporter having
charge Of all that matter, and large part OF his time
was spent in travelling the rapldty with which the
record has prepared for publication very remark
able.
1t ia the opinion OF persons who have mad
unusually good opportunities for Judging OF
the sentiment Of the commission, that no radi-
cal or important changes in tie existing tariff
will be recommended Their report will recon-
mend perhaps some slight increase Of duties on
some articles, and slight decrease on others, to-
gether with some insignificant additions to the free list
and wherever it IS possible, abandonment OF COM
pound duties that H. OF ad yalorem rates combined with
specific rates viii be recommended II is also probable
that important changes custom house regulations as
to clearance consular invoices duties changes and
such matters will be suggested These more partc
uary within the province Of Commissioner McMahOn,
who a. an officer Of the New-Yo-k Custom House for
many years. has intimate knowledge Of that branch
Of the subject aud Is ayOrably inclined towards the
views entertained By importers aud merchants.
action OF the commission in regard 10 spec al
far ffrfp nl4l
49, 80 oTsi..,cv with which tbe matters n trenton
y. L and East Liverpool OO urged ali Increase OF eX-
49,, S7 I,t a r.'r,1osifi3n ~ the dir on onipne a.
persistently urged the part OF manufacturers OF
chemicals Ia he ddyis that the duty wool
,i he sboi-hed I'm tbe ni crest OF wool panufac-
turer. nor increased IL the interest Of American wool
-at tnp ACT ON of the Cres,on convention Of per
son. t l- I'M tle sfeel and iron business IN favor Of
In ther various stages will hardly be approved BY the
viii be in favor Of making thc least possible number
OF changes aud OF them important IN tue existing
tarif. The comm sion Is now IN daily session at the
FIuh Avenue Hotel, in New-York going over the whole
sI1ec item by item, and thus making up its report,
tuat II may be ready when Congress meets.
Senators and members OF the House OF Representa-
tiyes now In Washington, together with many other
persons interested I'D public affairs are already begin
ming discuss the ursou-, What VIII Dc done Win
the report OF the Tariff Commission at the next ses-
s.OIT VII any acton be- taken on the subject - Or
nearly similar documents and be packed away with
the mass Of printed matter which aecunuatea at ey-
cry session p
Those VINO have had most experience of Congressional
methods regard It extremely imprObQblein fact al
beyond the bounds OF pOs-lDluty-that any den-
ni;e and preAeusye tariff legislation viii be enacted
the comm, session. It's limited duration OF three
months actually two months counting from
the expiration VI TIC Christmas holidays precludes
tue possibility OF such fall discussion and sucl cOusid
Grafton Of the numerous interests involved as must take
place before any general tarln measure become
law. Even Ia ordinary long session, with the ApprO-
praton bills, and other nutudlDOu5 pubic and private
measures striving for precedence, there would be little
chance a bill that would require at least thrDe
months for its consideration. Thus the idea
prevail here among those best acquainted with Congress-
II be really the desire OF bOtD political parties tQ
have the arn promptly and cOmprenenslyely revised
and modified the only practical means OF doing would
be 70 have bill passed next session prOviuug for the
meeting o. tile XLNIIIth Congress on, say the 9Th OF
March nest for the special purpose VI considering and
aching Oh tIaJ subject
A. seems however. that there is very little eypecta
tiou Of the passage o. any such bill and the present
probabilities Indicate PUStppuem NJ OF general tariff
revision until the regular assemDlase Of the new
Congress in December, 1883.