Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-09
THE TARIFF BILL.
That Being Prepared by Mr.. Wilson
May Cause Trouble.
SOME OBJECT TO RADICAL CHANGES
And Oppose a Great Enlargement
of the Free List.
MUCH FRICTION POSSIBLE.

1t is slowly leaking out that there are
some pretty wide differences between demo-
Gratis of the ways and means committee
on the subject of the revision of the tariff.
The subcommittee which is at work on the
general details of the bill is composed of
less than half the democrats and there
are several democrats of the committee vino
do not appear to be taking any special in
terest In this preliminary part of the work.
1t Is intimated, however, that the bill which
is being prepared and licked into shape for
the consideration of the full committee is
going to meet with considerable opposition
from democratic members and there is an
apprehension spreading that there may be
considerable trouble before the bill is re-
ported to the House as we'll as afterwards
Quite a Radical Bill.
The bill which Mr.. Wilson is preparing
is quite radical, following pretty close on
the lines of the declarations of the demo-
cratic platform. There are, however men,
bers of the committee who will not be will
ing to go as far. and the opinion Is very
freely expressed among democrats of the
House who know something of the situa-
ton that the bill which Is finally reported
from the committee will be very mild and
conservative, Mr. Wilson'S bill being modi-
ned In good many points.
The chief trouble seems to be with the
free list as there are some members
OF the committee utterly opposed to a great
enlargement of that list The fear is ex-
pressed by some democrats who are them
serves very earnest tariff reformers that
tnere Will be difficulty in getting through
the House and Senate bill such as the
committee Will report. In order to get any
sort or consistent revision Of the tariff the
Dill must be completed before ii is report ed
TO the House and put through under the
party whip practically without change
Party Caucus Desirable.
Experience has demonstrated that this
can be done only by a party caucus Of the
measure beforehand. and a party caucrs
has been rendered impossible II the hill,
Is to be reported under the terms of the reso-
luton passed by the House before adjourn
ment.
When the Mills bill was being prepared II
was submitted to the democratic caucus
.ime aiter time in its rude FORM and prac-
ucaliy the whole party in the House had a
hand in its construction Otherwise n cou,d
rot nave been passed. If the Wilson bill ia
reported early enough for the House to get
10 work on 1t Immediately on the reassem-
piing OF Congress- as the exigency of the
Ease seems to require. there will be no oppor-
tuhlty Tor caucuses and this may be disas-
trous TO the measure and extremely detri-
mental to the party.
May he Trouble in Both Houses,
The adjournment of Congress has rendered
1t very easy for the committee to go ahead
with its work without interruption, but has
deprived them of the party advice and con-
currence, which experience has shown to
be necessary in tariff revision. The pros
poets, therefore. are that there may be a
great deal of friction in the House before
the thing is settled. and the Senate NAV
kick over the traces and give considerable
trouble.