The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-12
AMENDMENTS TO Be CONSIDERED.
The Tariff Bill Subject TO All Proper
Modification.
Some Democratic FIctIons Settled
by Mr.. Allison.
Steel Beams Again the Topic Of Sem
atorIai oratoy.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-When the Senate
resumed consideration Of the tariff bill to-
day, Mr.. Vest took the floor and contra
dieted the statement made yesterday by Mr..
Sherman that on the metals schedule there
was reduction Of 10 per cent duty.
Mr.. Aldrich made an explanation declar-
ing Mr.. Sherman's statement correct.
Mr.. Sherman said he was absolutely cor
rect in his statement.
Mr.. Vest continued to discuss the metals
schedule in detail. He spoke Of the steel
beam trust and the immense profits made by
Carnegie amounting TO over a million dol
lars on 5000 tons Of steel beams and read
editorial comments from the New York
Times in reference to Mr.. Allison's remark
that the amendment to reduce the duty on
steel beams to Cloths cent per pound went to
the root Of the whole metal schedule and In
reference to other points connected with the
bill.
Mr.. Aldrich questioned the statement as
to Mr.. Carnegie's profit and referred to In
formation given him by the superintendent
OF the Trenton Iron Works OF Hewitt &
Cooper TO the effect that the average cost Of
making steel beams at those works from pig
iron was more than $40 per ton. where the
cost in Belgium did not exceed half that
amount, this $40 difference being almost
equal to the rate Of duty proposed Ia the
substitute. The difference In cost consisted
In the wages of labor.
Mr.. Vest characterized the steel trust as
"the gigantic devil-fsh Of combination,
which puts an immense amount of money
into the pockets OF its members In the name
OF American labor and Of protecting infant
industries" He quoted from the Trade Jour-
nal to show that American manufacturers
sent their products TO Canada TO the amount
Oh 30 ,OOO,OO0 per year and were there able TO
compete with the products Of British manu-
facturers, paying the same rates and duties,
and he asked why, IL they could do thatt they
needed such enormous protection at hOme
He would be Obliged to any Senator who
would answer that simple question.
Mr.. German said he never had taken an
extreme view either as TO the reduction OF
Increase OF duties. The country had expect
ed, however, that there would have been a
moderate decrease Of revenues so as to re-
move the inequalities In the present tariff
without interfering with the capital Invested
or with the labor employed In manufactures
But In the midst Of Presidential campaign
and for political purposes, the Senate substi
tute had been framed, its purpose being re-
duetion OF taxation on two or three articles,
principally sugar and tobacco. and an in
crease on all other products for the purpose
OF ineSeasing unduly the profits Of certain
manufacturing Interests In the North, and
the Senate was now met with the statement
that there could be no modification or reduc-
tlon Of the rates proposed and that the Re
publican side Of the chamber would vote SOL
idly TO keep the substitute as 1t Is. AS to tine
item under consideration he had no question
that one cent per pound would be ample dn-
ty on steel beams. Probably that rate would
be more than was necessary TO protect that
industry and all the labor employed In it
His impression was. however, that the rate
proposed In the Harris amendment would be
too great reduction.
Mr.. Aldrich-"As one member on this side
Of the chamber, disclaim entirely occupy
ing any such position as the Senator from
Maryla suggests"
Mr.; Gorman-"I accept the statement Of
the distinguished Senator from Ohio lMr.
| Shermanl to the effect that the substitute
must be accepted In its details"
Mr.. Allis0n-"I entirely agree with the
| Senator from Indiana that this bill should be
discussed In detail on the merits Of each
item, and as far as l am concerned as a
member OF the finance committee, disclaim
any idea that the bill is immaculate in It's
details. l expect the finance committee IT,
sell Will ofer an amendment 10 1t. | think
those steel beam people can get along with
| duty Of one cent pound on steel beams and
| at some proper time | shall be- glad 10 offer
| that amendment. For myself 4 disclaim
| presenting the bill to be put through on party
lines. L shall listen with pleasure to any
4
| in its general framework Is Intended to pro-
| teet American labor, but as to the details.
stand ready to listen to amendments and
vote for them II they convince my judgment
that the rate Is either too high or too low. |
think some OF the. rates proposed to low
and have no doubt l shall vote to raise
them; think some too high and shall vote
TO reduce them"
Mr.. Gorman-'I am very glad to have that
statement from the Senator from Iowa. We
Il all nQHer@fand WHY the SpUafa haft
was framed. We all understand il was
framed for political purpose. Ian not
complaining OF that. You referring 10 the
Republieansl succeeded In the election. You
carried the country. 1t was'welI aud magnl-
| heently done on your part, and 1 have no
| right TO complain. But now the election Is
| over, now your party has succeeded and
Is soon TO come into possession
OF every branch Of the government, II Is the
height Of unwisd0m to insist upon these un-
duly high rates. There Is no excuse II the
Senator from Iowa voting his party, as he
has done the past three days, as a unit on
every item. the Senator Is convinced that
his bill Is imperfect, II he believes there are
items in it which ought to be amended, why
not recommit the bill and bring in a
measure that Is somewhat perfect? Why
does he vote down every amendment offered
| by Democrat whether IL be right OF wrong
aud hold out TO us only the hope that here
after the finance committee may offer
| amendments covering these cases? / do not
| think any interest OF the country demands
| that this bill be passed In mere spartisan
spirit. l am ready to take up every item In
the bill. consider II and vote for 1t. / cannot
vote for the amendment offered by the Sen
ator from Tennessee for l conceive tnat
amendment too radical, but do want a re-
duction OF duty on that particular article.
We will 20 to the country again ON this subject
and hope our side will be able to show
that protection to American industries 10
the full extent OF providing for the difference
In the cost OF labor here and elsewhere will
be made by this side, but the sharp reduc-
tions advocated by the Republicans here and
| elsewhere would build up mon1polies away
beyond anything ever dreamed Of even dur
| ing war times"
Debate was continued at great length by
Messrs. Mcpherson, Allison, Vest. Aldrich
| and German.
Mr.. Allison disclaimed the idea that the
| Senate substitute had been prepared for any
| political purpose. Never had there been a
| time when the finance committee did not
| know that the revision Of the tariff and re-
duction OF the revenue were absolutely nee
essary. The bill had been prepared by Re-
publican members on their responsibility as
Senators, not for the base purpose Of making
| party capital. As to the framework of the
| bill the finance committee had started out
| with the idea that 1t should be bill looking
| to the interests OF our citizens and not 10 the
interests OF persons Of other countries
| MIR. Allison ridieuled Mr. Vests statement
as 20 tue immense prOntS OF the steel aSSO-
ciation aud asked why. II IL were true, com
/ petition would not be set on foot in Alabama,
| Missouri and other States.
| Finally discussion was closed and a vote
taken on the Harris amendment To reduce
| the duty ON steel beams, etc, from one and
| one-tenth cents per pound 10 six-tenths cent
| per pound. The amendment was rejected I;
/ yeas, 20; nays, 20. Ali the votes OF the Re-
| publican Senators were In the negative, aud
| with them voted Senators Mcpherson aud
| Payne. MIR. German did not vote.
| Mr. Vest then moved to fix the rate on
steel beams at one cent pound,
aud Mr. Allison assented 10 that on the part
| OF the finance committee and the amendment
was agreed TO without division.