New-York tribune., 1893-11-24
sent to the Senate the first week that Congress |
meets.
MORE DARK LANTERN VA Us.
SECRET HEARINGS FOR IMPORTERS AFTER
MANUFACTURERS WE'RE SHUT OUT.
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS IN TIE DARK AS TO
TIE PROVISIONS or TIE NE" Eiih~
CUIGNAN WILSON'S FUTURE.
fpv TELEGRAPH TO TuE TriBrNF.)


Washineton Nov os-More than two months ago
the majority of the Ways and Means Committee
against the protest of the RephDncah "''NoTitF'
brought to an end the formal puhiic hearings Which
during the period of fifteen days had peeh accorded
TO the ranresentativcs of various American indus
tries and to foreigners and agents OF ioreish manu-
facturers Nearly all of the American citizens who
appeared before the committee including many
worknginen and producers OF so-caied raw ma
terials' well manufacturers protes'eu against
any lowering of the existing duties on imported
articles that come into competition with like articles
OF American production. Many of the men who
thus earnestly protested against tariff tinkering are
Democrats. including number or senators ana
Representatives in Congress. who are members OF
that party one Democratic Governor ana other
representative Democratic politicians. as wei as
business
All Of the hearings without single exception,
were devoted TO that part Of the tariff which re-
lates to the duties on imported goods There was
not intimation from the majority OF the COM
mittee during the open hearings OF purpose to
modify change the provisions OF the Administra-
tion Act of 1890. the prime objects of which were
TO prevent frauds upon the revenue and simplify the
administration Of the Tariff laws or of an intention
to change the Internal Revenue laws either by in
creasng existing rates or adding to the present
number of articles subject to internal taxation The
published record of the hearings will fully bear ont
this statement.
committee were permitted to be present and ask
questions of the persons who appeared. When the
hearings closed they were excluded from any
and all participation in the deliberations of the
majority OF the committee. and since that time they
have been kept in profound Ignorance Of every
thing relating 10 the preparation OF tho revenue
bill except such fragments Of information have
been CLEANED by representatives of the press and
published in the newspapers. the accuracy Of which
information they have had no opportunity whatever
to test. They do not even know to-day and they
will not know until the day on which the bill pre-
pared by the Democratic members Of the com
mittee is to be given TO the newspapers. what
changes, il any, are proposed in the Adminisira-
tive Act in the Internal Revenue laws.
And yet, although il announced on September
20 that no further hearings would be granted and
that the majority of the committee would imme-
diately proceed frame a tariff bill. 1T is fact
known to every careful observer In Washington
that scores. probably hundreds. OF persons have
been privately heard in relation TO various features
and provisions OF the proposed legisaton-not only
in relation TO the duties on imported goods. but In
regard to proposed changes in the Administrative
Act and in the Internal Revenue laws. More i'm
porters and agents of foreign manufacturers have
thus been privately heard than appeared at the
public hearings. The opinions OF Edward Atkinson.
David A. Wells and other eminent tariff reformers'
have been sought or volunteered and Mr. Wells was
in conference with members of the majority yes
terday
few Of the supplementary hearings have been
public to the extent OF allowing representatives OF
the press to be present. but most Of them have
been secret. What has taken place at these hear
ings-what arguments and facts have been sub
mited for and against proposed additions 10 the
free list reductions of duties: changes In the law
prevent undervauations OF imported goods and
other frauds upon the Government and In the In
ternal Revenue laws-all this is sealed book 80
far as the Republican members OF the committee
concerned. and IL Will thus remain for no com
pee record has been hpt S or and
statements. arguments protests and petitions re-
minority OF the committee the other members
OF the House OF Representatives.
mittee remarked today that every element Of Pro-
lection would be eliminated as far as practicaDle
justification for such action has been furnished TO
the majority of the committee during the last two
il pu ,c as speedily as possible for it certainly
rot - be found IN the printed record OF the pubic
sweraD.e arg uinent in favor OF the maintenance OF
the protective. system that has ever claimed the
who is a member OF the minority Of the committee.
remarked today that he hoped the second volume
he and his Republican colleagues could enjoy the
privilege Of reading the convincing arguments and
statements upon which the majority must nave
1t is understood that the new schedule OF WOODS
and woollens completed by the majority yes
terday and that II reduces the rates on manu-,
factursd wqolIens S to 10 per cent lower than did
nearly with the rates proposed in the Springer Dill
of the last Congress than with the Mills bill. II
Classification which viii affect the average ratio
of reduction in this important schedule. the details
OF which alone will furnish safe basis FOR com
parison.
In conversation with a Tribune correspondent to-
day a Democratic Representative mentioned a re-
port which he had heard to the effect that Chair-
man Wilson does not intend to be candidate Tor
reelection to Congress next year. and that ne may
be appointed to the vacancy caused by the desth
of Judge Hugh L. Bond Of the United states CIR
cult Court If this be true, !, confirms me sta,e-
ment in these dispatches Tuesday night. thst Mr.
Wilson expects to be provided for by the Admins
his retirement from Congress, on dc-
count Of his vote for free coal.