Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-12-11
THE TARIFF DEBATE
Not Likely to Begin Be-.
fore Holidays.
PLEA FOR CHANGE UF DATE
More Time Should b. Given For-Put.
ting the Bill Into Operation.

| WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-Chairman VIII
son of the committee on ways and means
stated last night that the Democratic
members OF the committee had taken no
action whatever upon the matter OF
changing the tariff on whisky.
Disclaiming any intention 10 intimate
that the committee might not determine
70 make change in the whisky tax, Mr..
Wilson called attention To the fact that
such change would necessitate a revision
OF those schedules of the customs duties
affecting articles containing alcohol
These had been arranged upon the basis
OF the present tax, and an increase OF the
sum would entail a revision of the rates
on importations, IL the general proportion
between the two parts of the bill were to
be maintained.
Mr.. Wilson was asked as to the proba-
bilities OF the discussion upon the bill.
"Not more than two or three days will
be required TO pass the bill through the
committee" he answered. "Then there
will be the preparation of the reports TO
follow"
at will take pretty rapid work TO in
sure beginning of the debate before the
holidays. Then the announcement that
bill to the house on the 18th inst, and
that the debate should begin on the 18th,
was not founded upon any action by the
committee" the reporter suggested.
"No," replied Mr.. Wilson, nothing
definite has been determined in that re-
gard"
Wants q Change Of Date.
Representative Mccall of Massachu-
sets, who inaugurated the movement to
have the date at which the new tariff bill
should go into effect, not being satisfied
with the present aspect of affairs on this
point, has addressed a letter To Chairman
wilson OF the ways and means committee
~ which he expresses the hope that the
time fixed for the Jill 20 tske effect may
be changed to |. date az leSs,t six months
later.
Mr.. Mccall argues that the element of
uncertainty should be done away with,
and that 1t Is wise and just that some no
tice should be given To the business in
terests of the country, in order that they
may be adapted to the schedules of the
new tariff. Mr.. Mccall says: at is pro-
vided in the bill that il shall go into op-
Grafton March next. There is in effect
no notice whatever. 1t would be extraor-
dinary if the bill should have passed
both houses at 40 carly date, still mora
extraordinary that it should pass without
material amendments.
"No manufacturer or importer can
know what percentage of duty to calcu-
late upon his business, even for so early a
time "a March or April. If a device were
sought for imposing still further caution
upon our business men, and notifying
them to restrict as far "a possible all their
operations, no more ingenious scheme
could be devised than is presented by this
feature of the published bill.
ITO thus needlessly intensity the horror
OF the situation in the midst of winter,
when cold will add to the pangs of hum
ger, involves responsibility such as few
statesmen would care TO assume"
Congressional Forecast.
The sudden collapse Of the bankruptcy
bill in the house last Friday has somewhat
disorganized the pToga in the house for
the coming week. AS it is the house be-
gun the week with no definite work in
view.
The bill for the admission of Utah will
again come up at once. On Tuesday the
committee on judiciary meets and it is