The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-05
D|NGLE VS.
RATES ARE
CUT DOWN
But the New Tariff Bill
Will Increase the
Revenues.
MEANS SIXTY MILLIONS
MORE INCOME.
Reciprocity With Hawaii Is
~ Knocked Out by the
Senators.
MEANS SIXTY MILLIONS
MORE INCOME.
PEARL HARBOR CONSIDERED
TOO HIGH A PRICE.
Greater Tax Must Be Paid on Beer
and TobaCco-One Thousand
Amendments Made.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May AT
special meeting OF the Finance Committee
this morning the Dingley bill, which
passed the House March 81, was reported
from the sub committee composed OF ALI
son, Aldrich, Platt Comm and Wolcott,
who had been working upon 1t almost
constantly since.
Last night it was not thought possible
the bill could be reported to-day but the
decision of Jones of Nevada to vote with
the Republicans made ii easy sailing, and
before the committee adjourned it was
decided to report to the Senate immedl-
ately. This was done, and notice was
given that it would be called up for con-
sideration on May 49, The Democrats
will in the meantime carefully examine
the bill. In the opin on of those having
experience with previous tariff bills it is
one that cannot pass both houses and
through the conference com mittee in less
than two months after being presented 10
the Senate, and possibly will not became
law before August. July is stated in the
bill as the time when it shall take effect,
but this date was selected merely es a
matter OF convenience and is subject TO
change. The revised bill was more lib
orally amended than any tariff measure
before Congress IN many years, and a
casual inspection shows that the amend
ments number in the neigh borhood of q
thousand. or two to three hundred more
than was added to the celebrated Wilson
bill by the Senate committee.
AS a general thing the bill shows a
decided reduction in the Dingley rates.
The Iates on lumber and Ium Der products
are left al the high rates fixed by the
House. The contention of Senator Jones
for c duty on hides and lead ore of IA
cents per pound, and like increase in the
fruit schedule, was adopted. 1t is under
stood the Republicans have Informally
agreed not to offer any amendments in
the Senate as individuals, but to submit
all to the Finance Com mittee. Under this
procedure Senator Jones has been enabled
to maintain an influence over the COM
mittee, as his vote is necessary to keep the
Republicans in control.
In the opinion of Aldrich, the bill as re-
vised will increase the revenue about $50
co. 900; $50, 600 900 from the tariff, $50, 600,
600 from internal revenue.
At 0:30 o clock to- morrow morning the
Republicans will hold a caucus ostensiby
for the purpose OF effecting a reorganizs-
tion of committees. but it is likely that
some party policy in regard to the con-
sideration Of the tariff bill in the Senate
will be discussed.
In the bill as reported, the retroactive
clause making all rates collectibe April
l, 1897, is stricken out. The Senate COM
mittee believes the retroactive feature I'M
constitutional. Another important pro-
vision stricken from the bill is the recip-
rocity feature. 1t is understood the policy
of reciprocity has not been entirely aban-
doned by the Republican Senators, but
will be subject of discussion in the
Senate.
The provision of the Dingley bill with
regard to the Hawaiian treaty reads:
provided, that nothing herein con-
tanned be so construed as abrogating or in
any manner 10 impair or affect the pro-
visions of the treaty of commercial re-
ciprocity concluded between the United
States and the Queen of the Hawaiian
stands January 80, 1875, or the provisions
of any act of Congress heretofore passed
for the execution OF the same
from the bill and nothing put in its place.
AS one member of the Finance Commit
tee expressed it, all the United States was
getting in return for this concession to
the sugar interests of Hawaii was the
privilege of occupying Pearl harbor and
this price was regarded altogether too
high.
One radical surprise in the bill was the
provision pressing a duty of 10 cents a
pound on tea. This duty is continued
until January, 1900. when tea is to go upon
the free list. Works OF art, scientific
books and wearing apparel are placed
upon the free list with the general excep-
ton of works of art used for the purpose
OF utility and clothing used strictly for
aiornment. These will be dutia ble
The majority of the committee, however,
are understood to be opposed to the gen.
eral policy of tariff reciprocity. A new
and most important provision makes it a
part of the Republican policy TO increase
the duties on various schedules in accord
ance with the bounty paid by countries
from which articles are exported.
The sugar schedule is so compllcat ed
that no Senator on the Finance Commit
tee was found willing to express an opin-
ion on its exact meaning or effect. An
official of the Senate who had several
years experience in framing tariff bills
said the technical construction CT the
schedule would afford a differen rial duty
to sugar-refiners of about % OF a cent
poupd. According to the new schedule
sugars not above No. 16 Dutch standard,
testing by the polariscope above 81 and
not above S8 degrees, will pay duty of
70 Of cent per pound, and for every adj
ditional degree shown oy the polariscopic
test OF of a cent per pound and fractions
OF degrees in proportion; sugar above No.
Is Dutch standard and refined Lilo cents
per pound and an addition thereto on all
The foregoing 80 per cent ad valorem; SUI
gars not above No. 16 Dutch standard and
showing not more than 81 degrees polari-
scopic test rs per cent ad valorem.
Another unexpected provision III the DILL