The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-18
Republican Members of the Committees
Called in to Listen to all EXplana-
ton by Senator Voorhees,.
SUGAR, IRON ORE AND COAL
Among the Articles That Are
Worrying the Tariff Thinkers.
Cotton and Wooden Schedules and Sill
ver.Bearing Lead Ores Also Causing
Observation-Disclosures Bill Passed.

WASHINGTON. July 1.-THE first for
NAL conference on the tariff bill with all
the Senate and House members, both Dem
ocratic and Republican. present was held
to-day and continued only about hour.
An adjournment was then taken until 2
o'clock tomorrow.
The proceedings of the full conference
consisted in effort on the part Of the
Democratic members TO enlighter their
Republican colleagues upon the elements
of disagreement between the Democratic
members of the two houses without re-
vealing the methods by which they have
sought to get together or the details of
the proceedings of the Democratic con-
ference 1t had been expected that the
Republican conferees would at the outset
indulge in some criticism on having been
kept out of the conference during its ini-
tial stages; but the Republicans had little
TO say beyond formal greetings, and
waited until Senator Voorhees,, head
of the Democratic conferees, made some
what formal and full statement of the
situation. He said that no discourtesy to
the Republicans had been intended The
meetings had not been conference meet
ings, but had been confined TO an effort
TO bring about some settled policy among
the Democratic conferees. Senator Voor-
hees added that he was frank TO confess
that the efforts toward agreement had not
proved successful. The features of disa-
greement were then gone into at consid-
cradle length by Mr.. Voorhees, and his
associates They stated that the sugar,
coal. metal, wooden and cotton schedules
had been the chief bones of contention, but
did not give particulars in any case,
except that of sugar, with reference to
,fnI1 ,I.o.~-
had indicated a willingness to grant some
duty that article. but had objected to
the differential duty on refined sugar.
on. the other articles which had been
hees and other Democratic members of the
conference contented themselves with say
ing that the Democratic conference of the
two houses has contended each side for
its own bill. This had been especially true
on the metal and wooden schedules, the
Senate amendments to which had been
strongly objected to by the Democratic
House by conferees. They said that among
other Tbs special ds articles in the install ps1d o sfhs
free iron ore. for the House rates on
lead ore containing silver, on cutlery and
so it was reported to the full conference,
free wool. In the general discussion the
iron ore, coal. the wooden schedule, cotton
schedule. and silver-bearing ores, were the
chief questions of disagreement.
The question finally arose as TO what
would be done now that the full confer
ence had assembled. 1t was suggested by
Senator Aldrich that the bill should be
taken up item by item and be considered
by Republicans and Democrats, but the
point was raised that this appeared to be
hardly worth while. in view of what the
Democrats had just disclosed, that there
was no prospect of agreement on the main
question. There was no further proposition
submitted and no programme outlined.
and the conference adjourned until 2
o'clock tomorrow, the Democratic confer
ees agreeing to meet prior to that hour
to further consider the course to be pur-
sued.
The meeting to-day not marked by
any sharp controversy or criticism, and
only once did the sarcasm of Mr.. Reed
find utterance. 1t was when Chairman
Wilson. speaking rather personally of the
Senator'S. said that it might be well to
inform the public of the situation by
printing, in the tariff bill, the names of
the Senator's alongside their respective
amendments To this Mr.. Reed responded
that the public would probably mistake the
a result of the meeting the Republican
conferees concluded that a general disc
greement would be reported to both houses
within a few days. There was no distinct
statement or proposition to this effect.
but it appeared to be the only conclusion
Senator Aldrich and Mr. Reed said there
would be no disposition the part of the
Republicans to delay report of disagree
rent. At the close of to-day's meeting
Chairman Wilson stated that no exact
plan was in view for reporting back to
Congress. 1t is believed. however. that
plan will be developed tomorrow, and
that the report of disagreement will be
made TO the House and Senate within
the next two days.