The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-30
He Admits Having Conferred with Sem
atOrs with the View of Amending
the Measure to Please "Kickers."
HE FAvORS A COMPROMISE
And Makes Suggestions as to
Sugar and Income Taxes.
The United States Supreme Court Likely
to Render Decision in the Indiana
Railway Tax Cases To-Day.

WASHINGTON. April 29.-Secretary OF
the Treasury Carlisle has authorized the
following statement in -sply to an inquiry
by the Associated Press reporter as to
whether it were true that he had taken
part in the conferences which has been
said were being held for the purpose Of
agreeing upon certain amendments 10 the
pending tariff bill: 81 have had con-
ference upon this subject with anybody,
except the Democratic members of the Sem
ate committee finance, and, therefore.
cannot state Of my own personal knowledge
what has occurred in any other confer
ences that may have taken place. 1t Is
true that an effort is being made to agree
upon such changes in the pending bill
will secure for 1t the united and active
support Of all the Democrats in the Senate.
The indications now are tha: this support
can and will be secured without making
radical changes in the rates OF duty or
material alterations in the form or struct-
ure of the tariff schedules they were
passed by the House of Representatives.
In fact / regard most Of the changes now
under consideration as quite unimportant,
while the remainder are not OF such a
character as substantially TO affect the
merits of the bill a measure for the
reformation of the worst features OF ex-
listing legislation upon this subject. do
not think we ought to permit differences or
opinion upon mere matters of detail, or
in regard to small increases or reduction
of rates in the bill as il now stands TO
prevent the redemption of cur pledges 70
the people, and, therefore, ain in favor Of
securing, if possible, without any surrender
of principle, and without abandoning any
rf Of fl,e 10 ~ ta,-
form, such mutual concessions upon these
points as will consolidate our strength and
pass the measure at the earliest possible
date. So far as the proposed amendments
relate to duties upon important articles or
consumption not subject to duty, the rates
suggested as the basis for adjustment
are all much lower than in the present law.
while there are only a few instances in
which they are higher than in the bill re-
ported by the Senate committee.
''By far the most important single article
upon change of duty as now proposed IS
sugar, raw and refined, and 1t is strenuously
contended by persons interested in the pro-
duction OF this article that the specific rates
already in the bin, as reported by the Sen
ate committee, are higher than the ad valo-
rem rates which it is now proposed 10 in
sert. Whether this is correct or not depends
upon the price Of sugar in the foreign mar
kets from time TO time, and, therefore, 10
is not possible to make an exactly accurate
Statement upon the subject, but am salts
fled that the difference, IL any, between the
specific rates heretofore proposed and the
au -NdIOrem rates now unQer consideration
is so small as to be Of no material conse-
quence either way. At any rate, think that
differences of opinion upon this question,
which have always been troublesome and
vexatious should not be allowed to defeat
the passage of the tariff bill, and believe
this is the opinion Of all intelligent and sim
cere advocates OF revenue reform.
The repeal of the Mckinley act and the
substitution of more Just and equitable
measure in its place are of vital Importance
TO the prosperity Of the country. and the
people have a right to expect that all who
are really In favor Of reduction of tariff
taxation will make such reasonable conces-
sions to each others views as will certain
ly accomplish these results. II the country
Is to wait for tariff reform until a measure
all its parts TO every Senator and Repre-
sentative whose vote is necessary to pass
1t, our promises will never be kept
Are any changes proposed in the bill
which relate to the income tax?' was
asked.
'Tt is well known" said the Secretary.
that there has been from the beginning
considerable opposition TO the proposed in
come tax, even by those who have sup
ported the bill with that feature in f.
This opposition has been based upon the
provisions of the bill which prescribe The
methods Of ascertaining AMI collecting the
tax, some OF which are alleged to be arbi-
trary and inquisitorial. In my opinion,
many of these Objectionable provisions
ought to be and can be safely omitted
from the BILL and other changes can be
made which the advocates OF an income
tax can consistently accept, and which will
at the same time remove the principal
their support for the bill This method of
securing revenue has never before been re-
sorted to by the government OF the United
States except in time OF war. when IL was
absolutely necessary TO utilize every means
within its reach, and there many pa
triotic citizens who are not satisfied that
its adoption as permanent part Of our
system is justiiable In time OF peace, when
no great emergency exists. This view OF
the subject could be fairly met, i think,
hxyl limiting the fi6nS of the law TO
a reasonable period-say five years-so that
its effects upon the country could be thor
oughly tested. leaving the people to de-
eide hereafter in the light Of the exper-
fence thus acquired, whether il shaE be
continued or expire by its terms. The
power to repeal always exists, and the
bower TO re-enact can promptly be exer-
cised if the majority Of the people approve
the measure"