Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-03
ARE STILL HOPEFUL
The Feeling Of the Tariff Conferees
at This Time.
DISCUSSION IN A CONCILIATORY SPIRIT
Significance Of the Resolution In
troduced by Mr.. Bland.
WHAT SUGAR MEN FEAR

The tariff conferees are still hopeful OF
an agreement. They are plodding on with
their work. making very slow pro-
gress. but still having a fair prospect held
out TO them. Since the pending propositions
for the settlement OF their chief differences
were made there has been no friction, and
the indications have been, right up to this
time. that the proposed compromise would
prove acceptable.
While nothing definite has been accom-
plished the propositions are being considered
| in friendly and conciliatory spirit and
the discussion of the questions Is lacking
| any Of the features of a deadlock. No one
Is now standing out stubbornly to say that
nothing further will be considered, but
time is being taken TO figure the matter out
and to sound the temper of those demo-
| Gratis whose votes must be had. All dis
cussions both in and out of the conference
room, are understood to have assumed
conciiiatory tone, and nothing has hap
pened up TO this time to discourage the
| hopes which have been entertained during
the past two or three days. Reluctant ac-
quiesence rather than stubborn Grmness
has been Indicated.
Significance Of the Bland Resolution.
There Is undoubtedly some significance
In the Bland resolution introduced in the
AiouSS toudy ulTectlnS the committee on
ways and means to bring in a new tariff
Dill placing all sugars on the free list
| Though this resolution was introduced
| without consultation with the chairman or
| members OF the ways and means. IL un-
| Quesuonably represents a strong sentiment
| In the House. 1t presents for the consider
| ation or the friends of the sugar trust the
| danger to which their interests will be
| subjected in the event OF their refusal of
the good things they now have in their
i reach. Ihere Is very good reason to be-
neve that If the sugar Senators should
| f1naliy decide to reject the very accommo-
| dating compromise prepared Mr.. Bland's
suggestion would be acted upon. The
| unquestionably stronger in both houses
tfan any general tariff bill. and in the alb
sence OF any general tariff legislation q
proposition standing by itself to put sugar
| on the free list would probably get more
votes in both houses than could be secured
| bill.
The sugar men are likely to see in the
Bland resolution, therefore, a real danger
threatening them, while at the present, X
they cannot get just what they want, they
can come very near 1t. A prolongation of
the fight Is more apt to result to their detri-
ment than otherwise, and 1t is believed that
they will be wise enough to take what is
now at their command. and go home with
1t.
Disposition of the Conservatives.
disposition Of the conservatives" as they
are called. is to permit an agreement such
as the House could accept without abject
humiliation. With sugar. coal and iron
ore settled on the lines now proposed, there
would probably be but little difficulty in
reaching an agreement to the other
schedules. The Serate can afford to yield
great deal on most of the other schedules,
and 1t is probable that while the House
schedules might not, in most cases, be ac-
cepted. in nearly all there would be a re-
duction from the Senate rates.
Nearly a Crisis.
The conference appears to have reached
very nearly the point at which either an
early agreement will be reached or a decision
to report a disagreement. The Senate con-
ferees apparently have arrived at the con-
clusion that there has been already a sufii-
cient exchange Of views upon general lines
and that the time has come when the direct
issue must be raised. They conferred with
their colleagues on the floor of the Senate
today. and have reached a quite definite
understanding as to how far they can go in
meeting the House managers. 1t is stated
that sugar schedule has been prepared
which the Senate will accept, and which is
to be presented to the House members as
the extreme limit to which the Senate will
go. 1t is impossible to secure the exact
terms of this schedule. but 1t Is understood
that while the schedule is changed from
"a
differential duty on refined sugar. and in
others particulars maintains the protective
features of the Senate schedule.
While members of the conference decline
to confirm the probability OF the presenta-
ton of this schedule, they admit that the
conference is gradually approaching a
crisis, and say that the result, whatever 1t
may be, will be reached before O great
while. They will not. however, name the
date on which they expect to be able to an
nounce the result.
Senate Confcrccs Rather DISCOURAGED
The Senate ccnferees were rather dis
couraged when they came out Of the con-
ference room just before IL O'Clock today
One Of the Ser ators was asked II there was
prospect OF an agreement and answered
that it was rather the reverse. though he
would not say what had arisen to call forth
the remark. 1t seemed to he his opinion
that the House was still exhibiting a great
dc al Of obstinacy.
Representative Bland has introduced a
resolution instructing the committee on
ways and means to report a bill placing ali
sugars on the free list and for raising SlOO.-
Wo.ooo revenue by an income tax Mr.
Bland says this independent tariff bill will
be pushed In case the general tariff bill
fails.
MIR. Hands Resolution,
The full text OF Mr. Bland's resolution is
as follows: Resolved, That the committee
on ways and means are hereby Instructed
to report at as early a date as possible a
bill for an income tax which will produce
at leas. one hundred million dollars revenue
annually, ana also a bill placing all grades
OF sugar on the free list"
Mr.. Bland says, concerning the resolution:
Il have not consulted Mr.. Wilson or any
one else, but have acted on my own tudr-
ment in submitting the resolution NV pur-
pose is TO press it IL there Is an indication
that the general tariff bill will fall The
proposition is somewhat different from that
suggested In Mr.. Wilson's speech cat the
time the Presidents letter to him was rea5l
as 1t proposes raising the necessary govern,
ment revenue by an income tax This feat
ure is essential, however, If sugar is placed
on the free list. believe this separate tarirf
measure would quickly pass both branches
of Congress IL the general bill failed"
Ono Weeks Work.
One week ago the Senate. after three 10
votes, cent the bill back to conference. Tn.
rext day the conferees met. 1t was at this
time that the House oonferees were IN
fo rmed that the Senate bill must be accen,-
ed without the dotting of an 81" or the
crossing Of a "t.'' This assertion was
couched in more diplomatic language how.
ever, but that was the effect of it. Suh.
stantally the spokesman OF the Senate con-
fe-ees said to the members OF the House: