Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-23
A FIGHT OVER RATES
Wool Men Generally Supported by the Re-
publican Senators.
The Two Pennsylynnians Standing by
the Carpet Manufacturers Who
Opposed the Triple Duty,

The wool question in the Senate has set
tied down today to asfight between the two
Pennsylvania senators and the rest of the
Senate.
The carpet men are. naturally greatly dis
satisfied with the adoption of the triple
DUTY on washed third-class wool, which
was forced upon the Senate by the repre-
sentations of the wool producers. The
committee and senators interested labored
over the matter up to the time of the meet
ing of the Senate this morning The SYM
pathy Of the committee is largely with the
them that if Mr.. Foraker, Mr.. Carter, Mr.
Warren, Mr.. Mantle and one or two Others
insist upon the triple duty without yielding
to any reduction of the rates. it Is neces-
sary to yield to them
The wool men accepting the committee
amendments as they stand, the committee
are confronted with the objections of the
carpet men. They succeeded in getting the
general acquiescence Of the republican sen.
ators except Mr.. Quay and Mr.. Penrose.
After discussing the matter last night
and again this morning in an effort to dc
something for the carpet interests, 1t was
practically decided that the situation was
hopeless. Unless there is another change
in the situa ton the rest of the republicans
will stand by the committee amendments
permitting Quay and Penrose to make their
fight
When the subject was taken up in the
Senate Mr.. Quay gave notice of motion to
strike out all the committee amendments
but withheld the motion to permit debate
protracted fight by the Pennsylvania sen.
ators is not expected, nor is there any sug-
gestion that they will withhold their sup
port from the bill If defeated. Whether Mr.
Quay or the committee wins will be de-
termined by the votes Of the opposition.
The two Pennsylvania votes and solid
opposition would reduce the duties on the
third-class woods in spite of all that the
republicans could do. 1t is not expected,
however, that such solid vote can be
had.
A member of the finance committee said
today that the carpet interests had been
hard hit in the bill, but that there appear
ed to be no help fer IT. He said they ould
have tc go ahead with the matter as II
stood and trust to vote in the Senate
to settle the matter one way or another.
Partial Agreement on Hides.
A partial agreement has been reached as
to hides. The advocates Of free hides have
practically given up the fight and accepted
compromise providing an ad valorem
duty. The ad valorem offered by the hide
men now is II per cent, and the rate is still
in dispute.
Those favoring free hides are trying to
get the rate down to per cent, and hope
to get 1t at least as low as I. The pros
poets are that it will be put down to about
. or 10 per cent.
Expected Agreement on Reciprocity.
1t is expected that the finance commit
tee will agree upon reciprocity clause to
be put in the bill on the general plan sug-
gested by Senator Burrows, which pro-
vides that the President may remit GER
tain percentage of any duties, not to ex-
ceed 25 per cent, in consideration Of COM
mercial privileges granted to the United
States by any country through reciprocal
agreement.
This exact form has not been definitely
decided upon, but the committee have de-
cided that reciprocity provision shall be
inserted in the bill, and that it shall be
broad enough to admit of the making of
commercial agreements with any country,
and this plan seems to meet with most
ger eral favor. The committee believe that
they have come to agreement on to-
bacco which will hold. This is on the
basis of one dollar and scventy-five cents
per pound on unstemmed wrapper tobacco.