The San Francisco call., 1897-04-27
THE TARIFF BILL
ABOUT COMPLETED
CalifOrnianS WORKING
for the Interest of
the State.
Making a Strong Effort for
Increased Duty on
Fruits.
A Conflict Between Growers and
Manufacturers Over the
Wool Schedule.

WASHINGTON. D. c., April 26-The
Californians, REINFORCED by kilograms
from John D. Spreckels. Frank McLaugh-
lin. Colonel Otis and prominent citizens
and commercial bodies in all parts of Cat
ifornia, are still pegging away at the
Finance Committee in an attempt to in
crease the duty on California products,
especially fruits.
The Republican members of the Finance
COMMITTEES expect 10 lay the result of
their revision of the Dingley tariff bill be-
fore the full committee during the present
week, provided the organization of the
committee shall be completed. Those en-
gagged In the revision have been very reti-
cent touching the changes made, and this
policy has been followed simply to avoid
the annoyance and opportunities that al
ways follow when details of revision of
the tariff are made public. They admit,
however, that many changes have been
made and that as a rule the changes are
on descending scale. Increases have
been made, but these are not numerous,
and as rule have been made upon the
demands of Senators whose votes were
considered to be contingent upon securing
the desired changes.
The wool schedule has not been per-
fected and it is not likely to be until the
bill reaches the Senate. The conflict be-
tween the growers, the manufacturers ana
those who claim to represent the consum-
ers can only be settled after protracted
struggle and discussion in the Senate. 1t
might be determined in the full commit
tee, but such a result is not anticipated.
Lum ber, coal, sugar and lead ore sched-
ules are also unsettled.
There is a proposition that the bill
shall be brought from the Finance Com
mittee without the usual detailed exam
ination and consideration, and that the
time for taking up the bill in the Senate
shall be determined by the Democratic
mem bers of the Finance Committee. The
purpose OF this movement is 10 avoid the
opportunities that would follow the pub
LEGATION OF the bill when laid before the
com mittee. 1t is the desire of the Repub-
lican managers that the bill shall come
from the committee to the Senate with as
few changes as possible and within the
shortest possible time.
When reported to the Senate those per-
sons who are dissaI Iisfied with its pro-
visions and desire to effect changes will be
obliged to apply to the Senate, and in
this way the members of the Finance
Committee would be relieved of impor-
tunity. 1t is doubtful whether the Demo
cratic mem bers Of the committee will con-
sent to surrender any advantage and de-
prive themselves Of the privilege of becom-
ing familiar with the provisions of the bill
and the reasons that i'm PEELED changesl n
rates simply to relieve their Repu ublican
colleagues from the opportunities of the
business men who are to be affected by the
proposed changes Moreover, with the
Finance Committee depending for a
majority upon the vote of one member
who is not in full accord with the Repub-
licans. the Democrats see and appreciate
the advantage of their position, and will
naturally insist that the measure shall be
regularly considered in the committee.
There are several features of the bill
which the Democrats and several other
Senator'S in opposition desire to have
eliminated. One of these is the retroac-
tive section. 1t would be easier to knock
this out in comm ittee behind closed doors
than TO do so in open Senate. Whether
the Democr will consent to the bill re-
ported from the Finance Committee with
out the usual examination and consid-
Grafton will depend upon the changes
which the Republicans will consent to
have made before it is re ported.