The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-17

An Important Change at the
Eleventh Hour.
'ucAR MEN DISSATISFIED.


WASHINGTON Crry. Apg11 M-The reports
Of The majority and minority Of ways and
means commissss On ths tarid bill, were
presented 10 The HOUSE this afternoon.
The majority report begins with . state
ment Of the financial situation. IL esti-
mates the surplus - the end of the present
fiscal year to b ga. .0m. and dsductine
the sum required TO make payments OF
sinking fund. ths net surplus of receipts
over expenditures viii b. "a. 80 900. The
estimated surplus Of the next fiscal year
viii b tA3.570.0 600, which. with the mount
Of cash now on hand and available. roach
Ing So 90. oo0. win justify reduction Of rev.
snne In The sun contemplated by the bill
reported $30.97 900. and probably more.
from Tie customs. and say SO. 80. 90 from
internal revenue.
The report further nays that the bill, a.
proposed, viii result In an increased reve-
nue.. that In Ill cases except in Increased
tariff 1t viii result in decreased importa-
ton. and therefore Q decreased revenue
that the committee aimed to put an in
creased rate on manufactured goods and
farm produce producible IN this country,
in order to develop the homs market; that
the committee IL not 70 much concerned
about the prices of articles VI consume y
TO increase the liberalization Of home
products. giving fair returns to producers
and fair wages 10 American workmen. be-
lieving that home competition viii regulate
prices.
The COMMITTEES admits that free trade
would aus . temporary reduction in
prices. but argues that il would b ct the
expense of domestic products and that
prices would advance in this country ct the
mercy Of foreign syndicates and manufac-
turers. The ultimate result would Be dis
advantageous to both capital and labor.
The committee says that the country is
least prosperous in which low prices and
wages prevail. and point to the present
~sRricultural depression - . sample.
The committee believes it better to raise
the $400, 000. 900 necessary TO run the row
srnment by taxing foreign imports than to
take IL from domestic products; that the
bill Is based upon protection to American
industry. but 1t the same time 1t recon-
mends no duty above the point Of differ
ence between the normal cost Of produc-
ing here. including labor, and the cost of
production abroad.
The report then takes M the details of
The bill, and says the reduction In revenues
from placing on the free list chemicals not
produced in this country, viii amount TO
$S.5,O00.
1t cites figures to show the decline in
production, and says IN advances in duties
has been recommended which will afford
ample protection TO wool growers. While
the Senate bill fixed the duty on third-class
wool at4 cents, the committee makes It
81. with . change In definitions and classi-
hcations which will compensate for the diff
ference.
The committee believes the country
should produce all the wool IL consumes.
This can b done by the addition oil l0O.-
10000 sheep to the present number.
The report ays the bill seeks to stop the
shameless frauds which have been prac-
ticed in the importation Of woods and
wooden goods; and declares that during the
past fiscal year. under invoices showed the
importation OF wooden manufactures
valued at $52,6 Gal 900. whereas the real mar
ket shows nearly ninety millions, equival-
ent TO the importation Of $50. 000, 900 pounds
OF wool The present bill. It is argued, BY
increasing the duty on fine woods, will
transfer to this country $751; 900. 600 to $ao,-
Uo.o00 in WOODEN manufactures. A rate OF
wooden goods schedule. - proposed. IL 81. 81.
against the present rate of 67.l5.
Just Is the tariff bill was about 10 be re-
ported to the House the Republican mem
hers again changed their minds. and com.
pietely changed " Of the most important
items in b bill. Again hides have been
placed on the free list, and so has sugar.
but in the latter case the committee has
adopted . provision looking to payment OF
. bounty Of 2 cents . pound on the domes-
tic product
These changes have been communicated
to the Democratic minority members. and
IS corrections are necessary in the report
they viii be delayed in their presentation
to the House.
1t Is understood the sugar men have lit
tie confidence in the continuity of the
bounty. and they therefore protested
against the change.
The sugar bounty proposition il not &C
ceptable 20 the Louisiana producers. They
have sent q statement to the ways and
means committee, protesting against such
an arrangement. and asking that the pres
ent rates be not changed.
The report avs the committee has given
most of its investigation TO the existing
conditions of agricultural and kindred
matters. Referring TO the widespread de-
preston OF this industry. the report says
the enemies of the protective system have
no word OF criicism for the real causes OF the
agricultural depression, no suggestion of
relief from real burdens which are weighing
il down today. but, seiring the present as .
favorable time, they soIemnly charge that
the decline In our market Is solely due 10
the tariff. They are pleased To ignore the
fact that one Of the purposes Of the protec-
tive tariff is 10 hinder still larger imporfs-
ton OF foreign produce and thus save the
market from still greater depression.
But our committee. sensible of the inn
portance of this industry. prompted by the
single motive tolifti it to q higher level OF pro-
ftahle employment. believe they offer in this
bill all the relief which tariff legislation can
give 10 IL Critical examination OF the
subject shows that agriculture suffering Is
chiefly from damaging foreign competition
in the home market. The increase of inn
pcrtations of agricultural products since
fsu has heen enormous. amounting from
SGo,uo0,0oo TO more than <Ss,oDo oOo In lssa.
The worlds market, 10 which advocates
of taria fof revenue only iavise the farm
ers OF this country. Is today crowded with
the products OF the cheapest human labo,
the earth Affords. All over the Old World
the rush OF this surplus IL 10 that market.
and IL Is 10 such q contest ~ this that free
trade would allure American agriculture.
With the foreign grain market under the
SWAY Of such oppressive competition. with
the foreign cattle and grain marke ct de-
pressed and obsuuctrd by various ruinous
measures Of restriction. with fo-esgr svvi.