Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-30
Frye Answers Chandler's Statement
Regarding Clause in Tariff.
SAYS NO TRICK WAS PLAYED
Discriminating Duty Was Argued
Before Senate Committee.
UGHT FOR EMILY

AUBURN, Me, August 3O.-Senator Frye
has returned from Squirrel Island. where
he mas been stopping part of the time
since the adjournment of Congress. In
reply to a question if he had anything to
say in reply to Senator Chambers state
ment, regarding the extra duty clause in
the tariff bill, Senator Frye said: Il have
Just read it and will say that [ have such
great confidence in the senator that or
dinariy l give credence to any statements
made by him. because 1 know he is horesl,
industrious and a conscientious seeker for
the truth, but in this case as to some of
his facts he is mistaken and certain of
mis- installations are no. we'll founded.
He asserts that the American Steamship
Company, assisted by astute lawyer,
undertook to induce the conference COM
| nittee on the tariff bill to reform section
-, and by nnusndo connects that company
with the railroads in the procurement of
the law as it now stands. He says the
result was secured by an elaborate trick,
and, of course. intelligent men like the
cCnfereeS must have been cogEiZant of it
when they adopted 1t.
Members Not Trickxters.
Now, the senator knows personally and
by repute all of the members of the COM
mittee and cannot in good conscience
Shoi sc thSHi Will pellS lSuOTaIlt UupeS or
| cunning contrivists of elaborate tricks AS
to facts, there was a serious ard long con-
tirued attempt TO induce the Senate finance
committee to adopt and report to the Sen
ate a new section as a substitute for No.
%, the purpose being to have it In such
shape that 1t would be effectual in event
congress should conclude to resort to dis
eliminating duties for the revival of our
fcreign carrying trade as recommended
nal tfp,
and ildorsed by its candidate for the pres
idency, without any further legislation
other than the abrogation of our CONNER
cial treaties While the proposed amend
ment as printed contained the 10 per cent
as urged before the committee, the duty
was not to exceed 6 per cent to be levied
upon non-dutiable, as we'll as dutiable
goods.
amendment to the Senate it was then ad-
vocated very earnestly before the con-
ferences bur failed of success. This at
tempt was open. was advocated in the
presence of several senators not of the
committee. at different hearings and prep
aration made for its discussion in the
Senate The American Steamship Com
pany, If such one exists was not at all
a promoter of this scheme More than six
months ago, in view of the fact that the
party in power was fully committed to
Inc restoration of cur merchant marine
committee of twenty-five of the leading
ship owners and builders both steam and
sail. representing the Pacific, Atlantic and
the lake interests. was formed, whose duty
was to investigate the important subject
thoroughly to obtain the views of men
intelligent in this regard, and come, If pos
sible, TO some agreement as to the policy
10 be pursued, and, as many legal ques-
ticns were involved, it was authorized
TO employ counsel. which it Gid.
Met in New York.
This committee met many times in New
York and in the rooms of the Senate COM
mittee on commerce, discussed the various
propositions before them, but arrived at no
conclusion up to the adjournment of the
extra session. l was present at most of
the meetings. The projects considered were
a bounty law, revision for efficacy of the
postal subsidy law and a tonnage tax, the
proceeds to be appropriated to the marine
discriminating duties.
These had been in all tariff laws for a
great many years-a provision for a dis
eliminating duty of 10 per cent additional
on all dutiable goods brought into the
country in foreign ships, except those coun-
tries with which We had treaties, etc. OF
course the law was dead letter, for We
had commercial treaties with all civilized
nations; think thirty-nine In all.
THE committee recommended that this
provision be amended SO that free as well
as dutiable goods be included, and that the
per cent be reduced without naming the
reduction. They DID this, knowing that it
would not AFFECT a single imported article
unless Congress should there repeal certain
laws and abrogate all of these treaties
Their purpose was simply to have the
law in the best possible condition whenever.
If ever, the Congress should after full con-
sideration, determine upon discriminating
duties. The American Steamship Company
mad no more connection with this move
ment than the Cramps ship yard, Clyde
company, Hyde's yard, Arthur Sewalrs or
the Lake Carriers Association. As for the
railroads, 1 never heard one mentioned at
any or the meetings, in any of the discus
sions, or before the finance committee.
Chandler Alone I'm His SusDfcfons
'As to how this amendment to section %
was secured l know nothing, but that it
was secured by legislative trick in the
playing of which the conferees were par
ticipants with knowledge. 1 do not believe,
nor do ] believe that any senator other
than Mr.. Chandler harbors for a moment
such a suspicion. I am and have been for
many years intensely and actively interest
ed in the restoration of the merchant ma
rine engaged in the foreign carrying trade,
1t seems to me that our present condition
IN this regard is a national humiliation
While l appreciate the immense benefits
our railroads have conferred upon the coun-
try, l understand the prejudice they have
aroused, and this attempt to effect some
thing for our ships ought not to be handi-
capped by any imaginary copartnership
nor by any insinuation that the friends of
the ship have Joined hands with any one to
perpetrate legislative trick This is INV
excuse for so lengthy an interview"