New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-18
GENERAL WASHINGTONNEWS
PROSPECTS OF TARIFF REFORM.
DOUBTS AMONG THOSE WHO FAVOR THE BILL
CAUCUS PROBABLY TO BE HELD.
ny TELEGEAPH TO the TRIDUNE-T


by TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE Tariff bill was in
print to-day but few If any Representatives have
given it anything except the most hasty and super
fetal examination. They are not likely to remain
long in ignorance pecting its contents, however,
for David A. Wells and tho Parsee Merchant" are
both on hand. eager to impart information and
impress their own views and opinions upon
the minds of Congressman; while crowds
of shrewd and industrious advocates
who feel that the industries and interests represent
ed by them have been unfairly treated by the ways
and Means Committee lay siege to Representatives,
who, at every turn besougnt to look into" this
or that item and rashly promise to do so.
How few fthem will Independently reach inteli-
gent conclusions may easily be illustrated. One of
the schedules passed by the committee moro than
two weeks ago embraces articles in the manufac-
ture of which one Of the most paInstaking men in
the House has been for many years interested. and
he at once set about calculations to find out the per-
centage of reductions in that schedule. To-daya
TRIBUNE correspondent asked him for his figures
He replied that they still needed some revision and
explanation; although OF course no had reached
certain general results indicating an average re-
duction Of about % to 30 per cent. Probably not
three other men in tho House are so well qualified
as he to investigate that particular schedule, which
after all Is not of the most complicated in the
bill. This incident is also worth something as
showing the proper estimate to be placed upon the
utterances of those who undertake to critcise the
bill either IN general or as to particulars.
To-day, at the suggestion Of Mr.. Haskell, the
clerk and experts of the committee began compu-
tations to show the reduction or increase on each
item in the bill. 1t is reasonably ex-
planned that to give merely n statement Of
the average percentage OF increase or reduction
on the entire schedule does not fairly show what
the committee has done. For example, coarse I'M
bleached cotton cloth consumed in the United
States Ia almost wholly OF American manufacture
Only 1924, sos worth was imported last year. The
present rate of duty this kind OF goods is cents
a square yard the committee recommend n redrc-
ton to pig cents-50 per cent Of the specific rate.
Bleached cotton OF the same fncness valued at
81 1877 43l was imported last year, the rate of duty
being Dig cents por square yard. The committee
have reduced this rate to Sig cents per yard-37
per cent nearly The duties collected on the two
items amounted TO $12716 and $638, 7S9 respect
lively. In tho absence Of any data showing the
amount of each item consumed in the
United States, the only basis for
parison is OF cOurse the amount
of duties collected on each and 1t is ut APP
parent that 81 per cent in the one case makes
showing many times larger than 80 per cent in the
other case. or course, another question still
mains VIII the reduction OF 30 per cent be great
enough to induce foreign competition, and thus affect
prices 1t will ut least check any tendency to
extortion on the part OF American manufacturers"
replies q member of the Ways and Means Commit
tee.
member of the Committee who spent consider
able time canyassiug among Republican Represent
tatves whose hostility has been feared. reported
that he found q better state of feeling than he
pccted aud he thought that on tho whole there was
ground for couragement.An Iowa Representative
said this afternoon mat five and possibly six of the
REPRESENTATIVES. from that State-including Mr..
Kasson-would oppose the bill and vote against It
unless il should be very materially amended. Re
publican Representatives generally who favor the
measure shake their heads rather dOubtfully. and
speak discouragngly. when asked for their opinion
of It's prospects. When q caucus Is spoken OF some
Of them express the opinion that a number of West
ern Republicans will refuse to attend it or be bound
by its action.
Many Republicans. aud ono or two Tariff Demo-
Gratis believe that nearly all the Democratic Repre-
senta'ivcs will exert themselves to the utmost to
defeat the passage oi any bill whatever. The action
of Mr. Randall who " lodged" the vote on report
ing the bill il regarded singular and by some as
evidence of "A sinister purpose; but then candldato
Randall has managed o. dodge pretty much every
Important vote NJ this SION Some Democrats
assert that Chairman Kelley, md perhaps other Re-
pn pcan members of the committee do not at heart
desire the passage oi any tauh bill by tins
Congress Some suspicion Of tho same sort may
have Inspired remark By Chairman lliscocG to a
TnmUNE correspondent to-day. He sQit: " | would
ike 70 have Won telegraph 70 THE
TRIBUNE that, beginning with next Tues
day, the WAYS aud Means Committee |
can have four solid weeks In which 20 press the |
Tariff bill; at pinch they may have five weeks |
and we will hold evening sessions II necessary Ia
dispose f the appropriation bills" Messrs. RYAN
and blackburn, VINO were both present, heartily |
lssentcd to this. The latter remarked. haif serl-
Dusty. that h. thought " the committee on Ways |
and Means and the United states ought to DO abol-
ishel'
There have been many qulct conferences among |
Republicans to-day and. as n result n caucus of |
Republican representatives viii probably be held |
after the adjournment II he House next Friday.