Evening star., 1896-12-12
NEW TARIFF BILL
Democrats Think It Will Be an Ex-
treme Measure.
ARRANGING FOR TEE HEARINGS
Republicans on the Ways and
Means Committee Confer.
L ID T. HOLIDAY ECESS

Inc republican members of the ways and
iheahs committee held another conference
us morning 1t was thought yesterdav
'hat the democratic members of the com.
fhittee would be present this morning ana
would be formally notified OF the prono.t-
uoh 10 proceed with the preparati,, az tho
new tarin bill and TO give HEARINGS 90 ,h,
various industries affected. In was aaciaos
however, to postpone the meeting % ,ba
lull committee until next week c.nar,,
"heeier OF Alabama. one of The deno.ratic
i'emoers OF the committee TODAY snaaltrrr
Vi 'he reported Intention of thu. renub,icans
.c give hearings. coupled with the renort
M 'he new bill was to be a ''moderate
= measure, said: Il do not douht
- 'he present purpose of the republican
h@., 10 frame moderate bin' but n
hearings are accorded to those Interested a,
high schedules feel safe IN nra1ts,s.. "a
an extreme protective measure win e ne
o.utcome. Those who appear viii ask snr
ne sne hishest possible schedules; they viii
and tha,. aney cannot prosper with less.
IL. tne! VIII demand them on the pronnd
that the result of the election niaasnS ,hi
70 adequate protection to American
ne consumers will not be heard IT,.
result will be that no matter bo,., o,,.-,aiie nc
oe nohest the republicans NAV be I'm their
80 - 70 frame a moderate bill they will
y,eiu nrst mere and then there to the de-
Mand Tor high schedules and onca ba,-,,-
yielded they will no more be ahIe 70 .,ars
.ne uoe than they would to stop the on
rush OF Niagara. 1 predict that the hin
wincn emt rges from the ways and means
committee will be in many respects more
extreme than the act of lSgO
Inc conference of the republican menu
@ peIs lasted about two and a half hours
out hotnlng was definitely decided upon.
The Committee Hearings.
Ihey discussed at considerable length
the question of the hearings to he given
by the full committee The general on,n.
Ion was that a fixed program for hearings
on The several schedules should be ar
ranged. beginning December 2s. and those
interested in such schedules could then
have an opportunity to prepare and be
ready FOR their appearance on the dates
designated. As these hearings will be be-
lore the full committee. IL was decided to
wait until Monday, when the democrats
VIII be present. before fixing these dates.
Ii is probable that certain days of the
week will be designated. The question
OF whether certain schedules will be left as
they are or restored without argument 10
the rates of the Mckinley law will be a
matter for future consideration. In case
Ii lis decided to allow certain schedules TO
stand TREY will not be included in the pro-
gram OF hearings, although the commit
tee will probably give hearings 70 the rep
IesenlduNeS OF Sucn industries II they
insisted upon. 1t is difficult to fix a hard
and fast rule In such matters. II is the
general view of the republican members
that the hearings should be completed as
early as possible. and one of the prominent
members today expressed the opinion that
they could be completed In two weeks. The
democratic members have, yet, held no
conference, but they may ask that certain
time be allowed them to summon witnesses
in rebuttal." The question of the date
for taking the holiday recess was also dis
cussed at the conference but no date was
decided upon. Dates from Friday, the
18th, to Wednesday, The I'D, were sGe-
gested. the recess to last until the Monday
after New Year.
Talking today to Star reporter about
tariff matters Senator Clark of Wyoming
said: Il am ready for tariff bill now IL
it should get TO the front in any way. I
will be ready for ii at the extra session or
at any time. All / will want will be equit-
able protection for western interests, such
as WOOL lumber, etc. AS to the movement
for international bimetalism, 1 think IL
Should go through as quickly possible"