The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-12-13
Republican Members Meet Bot Nothing is
In Shape fer Decision.

Washington, Dec. 12.-The Republican
members of the ways and means COM
mittee held another conference this
morning. 1t was thought yesterday that
the Democratic members of the commit
tee would be present this morning and
would be formally notified of the propo-
sition to proceed with the PREPARATION of
the new tariff bill and to give hearings
to the various industries affected. 1t
was decided, however, to postpone the
meeting of the full committee until next
week. General Wheeler of Alabama,
one of the Democratic members of the
committee, today, speaking of the re-
ported intention of the Republicans to
give hearings, coupled with the report
that the new bill was to be moderate
protective measure" said:
Il do not doubt that it is the present
purpose of the Republican members to
frame a moderate bill.' but if hearings
are accorded to those interested in high
schedules, l feel safe in predicting that
an extreme protection measure will be
the outcome. Those who appear will ask
for the highest possible schedules. They
will demand them on the ground that
the result of the election pledges the
party to adequate protection to Ameri-
can industries. The consumers will not
be heard. The result will be that, no
ilidlleT nOW dQAlOuS OF honest Cne Re-
publicans may be in their efforts to
frame a moderate bill, they will yield.
first here and then there, TO the demand
for higher schedules, and once having
yielded they will no more be able to
stem the tide than they would to stop
the on-ruSh of Niagara. I predict that
the bill, which emerges from the ways
and means committee will be in many re-
spects more extreme than the act Of
1S9O'
The conference Of the Republican
members lasted about two and a half
hours. but nothing was definitely decid-
ed upon.
They discussed at considerable length
the question of the hearing to be given
the full committee. The general opin-
ion was that fixed program for the
hearing Of the several schedules should
be arranged beginning on December %.
AS these hearings will be for the fun
committee it was decided to wait until
Monday, when the Democrats will be
present, before fixing the dates for
special interests to appear. 1t is proba-
BILE that certain days Of the week will be
designated.
The question Of whether certain sched-
ules will be left as they are or restored
without argument to the rates of this
Mckinley bill will be a matter for fut-
ure consideration. In case it is decided
to allow certain schedules to stand they
will not be included in the program of
hearings, although the committee prob
ably will give hearings TO the represent
atives of such industries il they are in
sisted upon. It is difficult TO fix a hard
and-fast rule in such matters. 1t is the
general opinion of the Republican men,
oers that the hearings should be COM
nj tnd ri = IL 4
prominent members expressed the opin-
ion that they could be completed in two
weeks. The Democratic members have
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
congressional holiday recess was also
discussed at the conference but no date
was decided upon. Dates from Friday
the 18th. to Wednesday. the 23rd. were
suggested. the recess to last until the
Monday after New Years.