The morning call., 1893-12-14
NOT FIXED YET.
Uncertainty About the
Tariff.
DEMOCRATS ALL AT SEA.
There Is No Knowing Whether
They Will Ever Agree.
DRIFTING TOWARD PROTECTION
Yet Undecided About Ways and
Means for Raising the
Needed Revenue.

"
the Caiifornians to secure modification
of the Wilson tariff bill by restoring the
duty on quicks liver and putting scrap iron
on the free list will probably be unsuccess-
full. Ex-Speaker Reed and Representative
Payne of New York, members of the Ways
and Means Committee, in discussing the
tariff duty on oranges, which is now fixed
at 8 cents per cubic foot. were of the
| opinion that the modification will not
make much of a change, though what diff
ference there is from the schedule first
| agreed upon will be toward an increase.
They, however, say that they are not we'll
enough versed in the fruit business to pass
an expert opinion.
The Democratic majority of the Ways
and Means Committee exhibited their un-
certainty and dissatisfaction over their
own work by giving hearings to-day to
certain members of the House. These
Representatives we're but small part of
those who have BEEN requested by their
constituents to appeal to the committee
for rates of duty which will not be ruinous
to the Industries in the respective districts
The publication of the protest of the
clothiers and cloak manufacturers in New
York to-day created great deal of COM
ment. and the appeal was marked by sew
eral Republicans and sent by messengers
to the Ways and Means committee-room.
In answer to the demands of large firm
in Cincinnati. the principal members of
which have heretofore disagreed with the
Republican doctrine of protection, they
were given to-day an increased duty of 10
per cent on soap not perfumed. The ap-
peal of these manufacturers of soaps had
been for Is per cent increase, but the
committee thought that 10 per cent was as
much as they could allow in view of the
large cuts on other articles of manufac-
ture.
| The gradual Weddings on the part of the
majority to the demands of American
manufacturers seems to be drifting in the
direction of interests which If not Demo-
cratic are friendly to Democratic success
in politics. The concession to the brew
ing interest of New York granting an
additional duty on barley malt is an Illus
tration of this tendency.
The news that the committee was max
jng changes in the tariff schedules. already
twice announced, did not get around in
the House until late in the afternoon. and
there was an immediate declaration on the
part of members who have heretofore been
unable to gain admittance to the commit
tee-room that they would also demand
hearing.
1t is more than likely that the bill will
not be reported to the House until next
Monday or Tuesday, most likely on Tues
day, and 10 is expected that during the
interval between Saturday and Monday
the Democrats will have an opportunity to
finish their report
With regard to internal revenue taxes, it
was ascertained beyond any question to-
day that the only feature decided upon are
cigarettes and playing-cards. On the ques-
tions of corporations, legacies. incomes.
| whisky and sugar the committee is as far
at sea as ever.
The continued delay Of the report of the
Secretary Of the Treasury is causing criti-
cism. 1t is held by competent authority
that the Secretary should not wait for the
formation of Ia riff programme. bui should
confine himself to a statement of the con-
ditiOn of the treasury. The figures given
by the President in that portion of the
message devoted to the condition of the
treasury are Known to be woefully mis-
leading In the statement that there will be
de ficiency of but $2S, 5000. 900.
MIR. Carlsle's conclusions, therefore, are
awaited with more than ordinary eager
ness. although it is always understood
that the Presidents announcement on
financial matters is or should be based
upon inform ton obtained from his Sec
rotary of the Treasury. No one believes
the deficiency will be less than from $780,
ooo.OOe to SSo.OOo.OO and there is great
curiosity to know whether the Presidents
n n Int % hoc Co.
fancy. Complaint about the delay In the
publication of the Secretary's report will
undou btedly induce Mr.. Carlisle to give it
to the public at an early day.
The procrastination of the majority of
members of the Ways and Means Com
mittee and their apparently hopeless d.
vision oil the method of raising revenue
holds out no encouragement to the Sec
retary of the Treasury for a definite plan
of tariff revision to be agreed upon.
A most vexing problem in connection
with the tariff revision is the threatened
caucus OF Democrats to pass upon the
Wilson bill. Even upon this point there is
a diversion of the committee, some being
opposed to a caucus and others maintain
ing that as one of the mem bers aptly said,
the party ought to wash its dirty windows
in Its own back yard
As a compromise on the caucus question
it has been almost determined to postpone
the date of meeting in caucus until after
the holidays. This will give the commit
tee more time to agree. IL 1t ever can agree.
and will at the same time satisfy those
Democr who are determined to keel
haul the Wilson bill
A disgusted Democrat, when he heard
that he committee was still changing its
tariff schedules and had only decided
positively TO tax cigarettes and playing
cards as q means of raising revenue, re-
marked that this was proud record for
the Workingman's party. $50 far" said
he, ''they have only been able to tax the