New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-16
PROSPECTS OF THE TARIFF BILL.
INJURY DONE by SENATE AMESDMENTs-THE IRON
AND STEEL SCHEDULE.

AND STEEL SCHEDULE
rBY TELEGRAPH 10 rHe rRIBUsEl
WASHINGTON Jan. IA Republican member OF
the senate Finance Committee, who has made
close study of everything relating TO the pending
Tantf blll was asked this evening what he thought
the prospects we're for It's passage.
II thiukn he said, " that tne Senate will pass .
Tariff bill, and pretty good one. We shall
not of course get all we want in the
way of REFORM but the bill viii be one that We can
stand by. and will be a great advance as compared
with the present condition of the tariff laws"
"Do you think, judging from their proceedings
mn TO the present time that the Democrats wish to
defeat itT
81 do not think they want to take the RESPONSE
bility of uefeati1g it; yet think they would not
be sorry TO have it defeated. They are not
INIT on the subject, however, nor is our side. We
shall probably lose or two Republican votes.
but we shall have some Democratic votes. Browne
Will vote with US. | think Bayard will he
will try to amend the bill. but he will pre-
fer il to no Tariff bill DAVIS, OF West Virginia, Is
probably with us, at least on the main questions;
aud | think Beck, after trying as well as he
can to amend the bill. Will vote
for II when it comes 10 tinaiity. Probably other
Democrats will. The two Maryland Senators may
support 1t. They have been inconsistent In their
action thus far, however. They have voted Tor all
the reductions thus far proposed until late
this afternoon, when We reached blchlorate
of potash, which is Maryland
monopoly. The moment we struck that they
strugg ed for an increase Of duty over the rate
proposed in the bill. Yes, think the Senate will
mass the bill; but whether 1t gets through the
House or not. is a matter with respect to which
AIN less hopeful"
"po the amendments which have been made thus
far inure the bill seriouslyp
Zone of them is a very mischlevous amendment;
90 bad that shall be afraid to support the measure
ifitisnot reversed. The Others not seriously
damaging"
"To what amendment do You referP
"To the amendment to the similItude section. 1
sse there ia a difference of opinion outside the
Senate in respect TO the importance OF the amend
,nents. but there can be none among those who un-
derstand the subject The 'smitude' feature
nroner was enacted in 1912, and has been the law
ever since without the change OF single wofd.
II was undisturbed by the Robert j. Walker tariff
of Il al, and by the tanif of 1857 which was still
more of n free-trade tariff than that of 1916 SO,
FOO il survived the changes of 1861 and has become
settled principle of our Gust pms law. IL applies
to two things: The first part of the section applies
IN non-euumerated articles and provides In Drief
articles not enumerated which resemble others
which are enumerated shall pay the same rate OF
auty: or if the non-enumerated article equally re-
sembles two or more enumerated articles. 1t shall
h, taxed at the rate imposed upon the highest OK
those TO which it bears a resemblance. his 10 o
necessary provision; as with changing nomen-
clature. say upon chemicals and with the
new combinations and mixtures and IN
ventions constantly coming into existence, much
confusion may be caused. and sDme opportuniies
for fraud may he offered withontit
But the most serious feature OF the section, con-
sid red in connection with the amendment, Is tne
one who p.ovides that on all articles manuiao-
tured from two or more materials the duty snai 20
assessed at the highest rates at which any oi
,ts component parts may DO charseaoo'
Tha amendment In this. as In tho
srs, mart sub,t,rutes the word lowest for high
o., Now aee the effect of that amendment This
I. not simi,itude' feature, Of course but 1t Is all
y mar, NJ what is known as the 'simllitude' sec
,,on Under il, as amended, all that is necessary TO
hiring in silk at tho rate imposed upon cotton
IA to put few THREADS OF cot
ton in the piece. A selvage OF cotton
might serve the purpose Of evasion, and SO with
cotton and worsted OF cotton and wool. Articles
mado Of iron and wood OF steel and wood might DO
brought In az wood. In fact, ths devices whion
might be resorted to 10 svade high tarif are IN
uu,A,ahla. Cf aourse We ahAl ahanas that Dack