Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-01
River and Harbor Appropriations
 Come to the Front.
A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
Existing as to the Tariff-A Rift in the Cloud Seems
 Apparent.

" nAShiNdiON, 0QlJ O4s-'h hO loA ih D'AA ID not the only measure over which there Is deadlock between the two houses of con- gress. The river and harbor bill, which is now in conference, is not only deadlocked, but it was intimated this morning that it may either fail altogether or its further consideration postponed until next winter. The conferees on the part of both houses are, as usual, reticent about what occurs in the committee room. But the fact has leaked out that house con ferees have taken determined stand and hatIy informed their sem atorial associates that they will not consent to the enormous increase in the bill made by the upper house. 9he bill as it passed the house carried an appropriation of $9, ,500, ,000, in addition to the $S ,500 ,0O0 provided for in the sundry civil bill to con- tinue the work under contract. This made the whole river and harbor appropriations for the next two years SIS, ,0o0, 900 in round numbers. The senate increased the appro- pration $3, ,500, ,000.
 The bill has not been in conference for some days, and thus far the senate con ferees have yielded only $655 ,00O This Is not nearly enough to satisfy the represents tives of the house. They insist that the bill as it pissed the house was as liberal measure as could have been expected con sidering the depleted condition of the treasury; that the increase on the part of the senate is not only unwse, when the straitened conditions of nthe national finances is rememb bered, but that these in- creases have been made with an amiable desire to please individual senators, and not because the necessities of the case de- manded them. The house bill, it s con- tended, is a harmonious and well rounded and we'll considered measure, while that of ha ia Q nf be reached the house conferees, it is under stood, may retire from the con test and leave the whole matter in the air until the next session. The prospects of an agreement on the tariff were much improved today.
 For the first time in many days the house conferees came from the meeting with the statement that previous irrecon cilable differences were iu process of ami cable adjustment. With much satisfaction the house members stated to their asso- ciates that the senators had shown dis position for the frst time to meet the house half way. As 10 when full agreement would be perfected there was some differ enc Aof opinion. One house conferee said itwbuld probably be this week. Another tho hght it would be ''soon.' Chairman Win would not even admit that the un- deNfal ding had gone far enough to warrant the prediction of a speedy report. He said, however, that the conferees had at least done business
 
 than could have been said of past meetings. The senate conferees came from the meet ing without showing the hopefulness of the house members. They said the con ference was as far from an agreement as 1t had been. While there was this conflict among those thoroughly informed of the inside workings of the conference, the gen. eral belief prevailed that the hopefuness of the house conferees had soIae substantial foundation.
 One nt the conferees aaid that tybiIa m final agreement had been made on iron, coal and sugar, yet that sufficient had been developed in confidence 10 show that an agreement could be reached on three most important items which would be accept able 10 the senate and house conferees and to the house of representatives,. Whether it would be acceptable to the full senate this conferee expressed some doubt.
 In this connection it developed today that Senator Caffery of Louisiana, who had been most active in the sugar question, had long and, it is said, satisfactory con- ferences with Speaker Crisp and Chairman Wilson.
 Wnlie the house confefees were so pleased at the bright outlook, their senatorial col leagues contented themselves with saying that while they were hopeful of reaching an understanding, nothing had transplred in conference tos. base this hope upon. They declare that on tue essential items of disagreement the conferees are as far apart as they ever were.
 An increased hopefulness that bill will be agreed upon is noticeable, however, upon the part of the democratic senators who are not members of the conference. One of the leading conservative senators said as he was leaving the senate chamber tonight that the tariff bill would be finally agreed upon by next Monday ,and he added that the bill would be virtually the senate bill. The day developed the possibility of report of partial agreement, and while the report at first appeared as vague ru- nor it's probability was afterwards con trrned by senators not mem bers of the con- ference committee. The fact that the conference had the schedules other than those relating to sugar, coal and iron ore under consideration today is one fact in. confirmation of the report.