The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-13
TARIFF BILL RUMORS
REPORT THAT COAL AND IRON ORE
ARE TO GO ON THE FREE LIST.
Denied by COnferees, Along with the
Story that Sugar Duties Are to BE
Observation-Disclosures Protest.

WASHINGTON. July 12.-There was more
interest manifested to-day among Senators
and members of the House not members
of the tariff conference committee than on
any previous Day since the conference of
the Democratic members of the committee
began, and the air about both the Senate
and House was full of rumors as to what
had been done. Many of these stories were
considered sufficiently we'll founded to
justify Senator'S and members in discussing
them as accomplished facts. The most per-
sistent of these rumors was that coal and
iron ore were to be restored to the free
list, as they were when the bill passed the
House. A thorough investigation revealed
the fact that this story grew out of con-
versations between members of the commit
tee and Senators and Representatives not
connected with it, and while it had not
been stated in these. conversations that the
committee had agreed upon these changes
the outside members were given to under
stand that this was the programme and
that it was to be put into execution by the
joint efforts of the House conferees and
two of the Senate managers of the confer
ence. The members of the committee spoke
upon the subject after the adjournment of
the conference and declared that no action
had as yet been taken upon these two
items, and they went SO far as to declare
that they had not even been discussed.
They made the same denial of another
story which was current to the effect that
changes had been decided upon in the sugar
schedule. This, like the coal and iron ore
rumor, gained persistent circulation, and
it was sufficiently material to gain the at
tention of the Louisiana Senators, and
cause them TO declare themselves very
openly in opposition to any lowering of
sugar duties, and to go SO far as TO indi-
cate a determination to oppose the bill when
it is returned to the Senate if it should be
found that the rates had been changed to
the material injury of that industry.
Ever since the Democratic members of
the conference committee began their meet
ings last Monday without inviting the Re-
publican members to be present there has
been manifested a disposition on the part
of Republicans of both houses to c~riticise
the partisan methods of the proceeding,
and this dissatisfaction took shape to-day
in the introduction by Senator Hale of a
failure of the Democrats to call a full
conference of Democrats and Republicans.
ton was the result of an understanding
among several Republican Sena-
tSrs. The f repciSsfon the Mould 0pindlE don
velop an interesting debate in the Senate
to-morrow. This proceeding on the part
unprecedented in the history of the coun-
try. The law says that conferences be-
houses shall be full and free, and contem-
plates that they should be held after the
appointment OF the managers It has now
the Senate, and almost a week since the
conference asked for MAS conceded by the
members of the conference committee
know there has been no conference what
ever They have received no notice of any.
but of course the meeting between the
Democratic Senators and members Is pure
ly unofficial. We of this side of the cham
Der think we have a right to know what
is being done with so important a measure
as the tariff bill, and when the conference
is to be called. II at al. We also think
of the facts, and have, therefore,, decided
to make our opinion to that effect known"
A report that Senator German had told
the conferees that unless the "A of a cent
d~ifferential on refined sugar was retained
the bill would be defeated in the Senate, is
denied by both Senator German and Sena-
tor Harris. of the committee. 1t appears
that Mr.. German has interested himself in
having the Senate bill preserved as nearly
as possible as il passed, but he declares
that he has made no threat. as to what
would happen in case il should be changed.
Senator Voorhees, told Senator Allison to-
day that he thought the Republican Sena-
tors would be invited into the conference
early next week. Mr.. Voorhees, declined to
discuss Senator Hale's resolution with
newspaper correspondents, and IL is stated
that the subject was barely referred to in
the conference to-day.
Senator Aldrich states that the Repub-
lican MEMBERS of the conference commit
tee, when they shall be invited to partici-
pate i'm the conference, would resist any
effort that might be made TO present a
partial report, but that they viii insist that
there shall be but one report, and that il
snail show the entire scope of the Demo-
Hill will stand with the Republicans in
making this demand.