Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-23
WAYS AND MEANS
The House Committee Going to
Work at Once.
A TARIFF AND BOND BILL PROPOSED
The Two May Be Combined or in
Separate Measures.
PROCEEDINGS OFTaE MEETING

As has already been indicated, the House
intends to meet fully, but in its own way,
the demand of Mr.. Cleveland for leyisla-
tion on the financial question before any
recess adjournment is taken. 1t is held
that since Mr. Cleveland In his message
refrained from proposing any particular
method for promptly relieving the situa-
ton, but merely insisted that something
must be done, he must be prepared to ac-
cept what Congress may do. Republicans
say that if the situation is as grave as
represented by the President he cannot
consistently permit question OF mere
party policy to stand in the way of the
only form of relief which ii is possible for
this Congress to offer If he refuses to ac-
cept the measure proposed, Upon the ground
that in his judgment it would not afford
any relief, he will assume grave respon-
sibilty, and the republicans of the House
will feel that they cannot be held account
able for the consequence.
Uncertainty ns to the senate.
All this discussion ignores the probability
that no measure may so through the Senate.
1t is regarded as practically certain that no
provision for bonds of any sort can receive
the approval of the Senate, and that tariff
measure could be passed is deemed inprob-
able though not to the same degree. 1t
would be a hiSty conclusion, however. to
say that nothing could happen to improve
the prospects of action by the Senate. While
it seems now utterly improbable, it is posi-
bic that Mr.. Cleveland might be able to
whip the democrats into line in support of
provision for certificates of Indebtedness
such as it is proposed to put through the
House.
Anything hopeful, however cannot be
regarded as more than a remote possibility
The chances are largely against any ac-
ton by the Senate. AS indicated by Mr..
Dingley in his statement to the House
this morning, the committee on ways and
means has gone to work on the measure OF
relief which the republicans have decided
to offer. The decision OF this question has
been after consultation among the leading
members of the party. and the measure Will
be promptly put through the House. The
committee, that is, the majority wing, got
to work again after the adjournment of the
House. The proposition before them is, as
stated on Saturday, to provide for revenue
by means of tariff, and TO meet the i'm
mediate demands by provision for a pop
ular loan in short time, small denomina-
ton, intereSt-bearing certificates. They
have not themselves yet decided on all the
details, nor whether the two propositions
shall be in one bill.
The Tariff Increase.
two separate bills, as the tariff alone
might have some chance to get through
the Senate. AS to the tariff measure, this
much is decided on, that there shall be a
restoration CT duty on wool and lumber
and compensatory duty on manufactures
of wool. Beyond this 1t is proposed to
have a horizontal increase of duties, but a
disposition is manifested to avoid the gen.
eral character of the Mckinley bill and
a ic mot int. ION
such horizontal lift any Of the duties shall
get above the Mckinley rate. There are
some items, too, in the Wilson-Gorman
law which they do not desire to increase
at all, even as a temporary eXpedient. 1t
is not thought that the iron and steel
schedule will be touched at all. even if the
general idea of a horizontal lift is adopted
Ways and Means Meeting.
The ways and means committee of the
House met this morning a. II o'clock to take
the first formal steps toward the preparation
of a revenue bill. Thirteen members were
present. The Presidents financial message
OF Friday was formally taken up, and by
way of reply to President Cleveland's re-
quest that Congress should not adjourn
a resolution was presented by MIR. Payne
of New York. 1t declared that it was the
sense of the committee that it was inexpedi-
ent for the two houses to adjourn for the
holiday recess and that further considera-
should be postponed for the present
Mr.. Dngley was authorized to make a
statement to the House. The committee
was assured by Mr.. Dingley that bill
could be brought before the House within
very snort time. Although this was not
mentioned IN the meeting, it is understood
to be the program OF the leaders to present
bill to the full committee the day after
Christmas, Thursday, and perhaps bring it
be fore the House the same day For this
purpose the republican members of the
committee will go into conference at once
and may be obliged to work Christmas day.
No Holiday Recess.
Mr.. Payne's resolution was adopted by a
unanimous vote of the committee, and
there was no opposition expressed to the
plan to keep Congress in session. There
was a general feeling among members
partly inspired by the news from Wall
street that the worst of the business dis
turbance engendered by the war furry had
passed, and that all those lines of business
W hich have been temporarily alarmed
would resume their normal condition with
in two or three days. Nevertheless the re-
publicans will not let this delay their re-
sponse to the Presidents appeal. for the
situation gives them an opportunity to
pass, sooner than they otherwise might.
whatever revenue legislation they think
necessary, and with less discussion ana
clashing of IDEAS in their own ranks to
way and push other work in rtherance
of their policy Of short session. Several
committees which attempted to organize
today were unable to get quorums The
attendance on the floor was smaller than
for several days past, and many members
are evidently going home for Christmas.
These DEVELOPMENTS give rise to some ap-
prehension that the House may find it
difficult to muster quorum the day after
Christmas but the Importance of the legis-
lation on foot will spur members to forego
their holiday plans.
Plan of the Lenders.
The House republicans will probably hold
a caucus on Thursday morning, when the
revenue bill prepared by the republican
members of the ways and means committee
will be laid before the party for its approval.
The present plan of the leaders is to have
the House pass the bill on Thursday after
a brief debate on both sides. The sergeant
alarms has been directed to telegraph all
absent members that their presence is de-
sired on Thursday.
Pressure on the Committee.
Chairman Dingley and other members of
the committee have been beseged today
by members endeavoring to secure tariff
L. III