New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-17
THE HOUSE TARIFF BILL.


THE HOUSE TARIFF BILL.
prpopr ny THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND
MEAys-Irs PROSPECTS, IN THE HOUSE.
IBr TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON. Jan. 16-The Ways and Mean
Committee have at last completed the Tariff Dill
and il was reported the House by Chairman heley
this afternoon. His proposition that It's considera-
ton should be begun next Tuesday, and that
after one day OF general debate the OIL
should bo taken up and acted upon
by items, was objected to by Mr. Tucker, iree-
trade member of the committee Those VINO Voteu
to reoort the bill favoraOly were Messrs. keiieY,
Mckinley Haskell. Russell and Errett, Repub-
ucans and Speer. Democrat. Messrs. Carlisle,
Thicker and Morrison voted in the negative; Messrs
Randall. Hubhcl aud Dunnel we're absent. and
Mr. Ka SON who was present did not VOTE
A TRIBUNE correspondent asked Mr.. hasson
If the bill coull be defended as whole'
He replied that it could not account OF the hlgn
rates on Bessener aud on eaa recommended Dy 'he
committee 1t is understood that many otherltems
in the bin do not meet Mr. Kasson's approval; but
for that matter each member who voted Ior INC
measure objects TO some items it contains
This morning the committee, on motion of Mr.
Haskell agreed to reduce the schedule rates on
sugar materially. Mr.. Haskell estimates the aver
ace reduction at from 25 to 80 per cent, and The
total reduction ON the basis of Last years
importations at about S15000.00O. This, IL
shouId be remembered. is only an estimate
for the adoption of the polariscopc test
may materially change the elassihcalion
and grading aud affect the duties
From estimates made by different members OF the
committee of the reduc ions In the various
schedules 1t would appear that the total reduction
recommended will reach 20,000000 TO $25'OOo,-
900. On some of the schedules the reductions
estimated bv one member of the committee
are as follows Chemicals. $s50,O0O; woollen
goods. IS. 100000; silk. $3,000,000 Mr. krrett
who had been making some calculations respecting
the additions of drugs and spices to the free list
estimated the reduction thus effected at 81 600 600
Mr. Carlisle is reported as having remarked last
night that the bill would actually In
crease the tariff. the basis OF last
years mporta ions, about $3,OOO.OOO; and
the same gentleman is also reported to
have SAID that the bill would not effect reduction
of more than $4,000. 900. That, however, was 6e-
fore the last action of the committee on the sugar
schedule.
II will thus be seen that only vague estimates
can be given of the probable reductions recon-
mended Treasury experts are busly engaged
in trying to cipher out what the actual
reductions will be; but well-informed
members of the committee express the opinion
that owing to changes of classification, ETC.. even
those results will b. uncertain. member OF the
committee who has given special attention to the
schedule of metals thinks that the average reduc-
ton therein, compared with the present law, will
be SO to 80 per cent; but this, be ex-
pl aimed does not take into account Treasury
decisions and rulings under which numerous aitl-
cles embraced in the schedule have been admitted
Under the "Omnibus" clause imposing duty OF
a uue ted ar
cles.
This explanation brings up point of great i'm
portance in relation to the bill of the committee
which was described by several of the members
TO day as "a readj djustment rather than reduction
of the tariff" Under what is sometimes called the
basket schedule, which includes unenulneTated
articles the importatons Of last year amounted TO
$l3O00,00 or more; each of these articles the
committee have tried to give its proper classcation
they have also sought to correct almost lnnumerabie
INEQUALITIES created by the Treasury decisions and
rulings referred to. The effect of this action, of
course has been to advance the rates in very many
cases.
The reductions recommended by the Ways and
Means Committee are much smaller than
those contained in the bill reported by
the Senate Finance Committee, but members
of the former committee stoutly contend
that their bill Is much the better of the two, and
will be more acceptable to the country when Its
provisions become known and understood
The prospects OF the passage Of the bill in the
House are regarded az doubtful by all we'll in-
formed Representatives; although there is feel
ing among Republicans, as has been publicly as
serted IN sOmo quarters, that it would be good
policy party measure for them 10 let the matter
Of tariff form go to bs dealt with by Demo
cratic House. A Republican member Of the Ways
and Means Committee talked with most of the lead
ing Republican Representatives about the
proprety of holding caucus, and urged
the necessity of doing so as soon as Representatives
shall have had an opportunity To examine the bill.
He reported that the suggestion was received with
general approval. Or course the object of the
Gus would be to endeavOr TO secure agreement
to accept the bill aud push il as party measure.
The ReyresentatIve mentioned thinks there
are twenty to twenty-five Republi-
cans in the House who nre now
determined TO oppose the bill and to offer to vote
for amendments which, If adopted. would riddle
IL so that nobody conld vote for IT,"
Unless the Republican opponents oan be placatod
aud induced to stand by the bill as IL is in the main.
its fate be regarded as sealed. IL is probable
that caucus of Republican Reprosen tatiyes will
be beld in q few days and before tho Tariff bill Ii
brought before the House.
THE NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS By THE coMMITTEE-A