The times., 1897-05-03
DISCUSSION IS IN SIGHT
Tariff Bill Will Probably Be Re-
ported Thursday
THE WEST is SATISFIED
The Beet Sugar Men still Insist
Upou a Higher Rate OF Duty on
PAIRING themselves for the Definite.
II VIII Begin May II.

The tariff bin Will not be reported to the
fun committee tomorrow. Senator Platt
of Connecticut, a member OF the subcom-
mittee, viii not reach Washington until
late tomorrow afternoon, 50 that what
ever conclusion the subcommittee may Lave
reached. it was set aside owing TO this I'M
expected absence OF one OF their NUMBER.
A member of the subcommittee said last
evening that it was quite probabte THAT
an agreement would be reached with the
Democrats at the special meeting of the
Finance Committee today, whereby The
Democrats would consider the bill for two
DAYS and then permit it to he reported 70
the Senate If this plan is agreed 60 the
bill will be laid before the full committee
Tuesday and reported to the Senate Thurs
day 1t viii then lie on the table until
Nav Ia, when the debate will begin.
This program will give the Democrats
eleven days for prepar alton for discussion.
The statement that Senator Jones Of
Nevada has given the committee an uIti-
matum, in the shape of specific schedules
which must be adopted as the price Of
his vote, is denied on the authority OF
a member of the committee having the
Jones has been working in thorough har-
mony with his colleagues and is satisfied
with what has been done. Some of the
suggeS tions he made two weeks ago have
been concurred in, but there has been
nothing in the shape OF a threat. As has
been stated in The Times, it was thought
best to strengthen the bill among The
Western Senators, especially in view Of
nv,
and a Few others, representing wooi-
growing aud cattle-raising States.
For this reason the committee decided
to raise the tariff on third-class woods 20
5 or cents a pound, to put a duty on
hides of not less than l 1-2 cents pound,
and to increase the duty on lead ores
from l 1-2 10 . cents. This has been
done and the VESTS satisfied. Mr. Jones
is counted upon by his associates, with
wIt1m he has talked, TO vote with them
and they have no fear as To the Ultimate
fate OF the bill, SO far, at least, as the
committee is concerned.
Senator Jones was with the committee
several hours Saturday, bat did not let
down yesterday untillate in the day, when
Mr.. Allison and Mr.. Aldrich, the only inen-
beis at work, had concluded for the after
night the two Senators named, together
with Nj. Wolcott, put in several hours
polishing up the bill and giving it few
final touches. What the various schedules
contain is an unknown quantity to every
one The absolute claims made in this Ie-
spect are the merest guess work. Much
attention has been given during the past
few days to the pbraseology of the meas
ure in its administrative features, and loop
holes that have appeared in previous mels-
ures admitting OF the undervaluation of
goods have Deen closed, so that wien the
new law goes into eIccufc VA - easier
Of enforcement by the customs officials.
Thesugar schedule, it " as saidaC thecom-
nittee room last evening, had not yet been
finally determined. The sugar men rep
Tesenting the growers of beet sugar i'll this
country have been inSstent, early and late,
for higher rate OF duty on raw sugars n
order that they might have protection
approxinating the 2 cent bounty given
them in the Mckinley bin. The duty ON
raw sugars below 80 degrees now aver
ages about 50. but the beet men urge that
they be given 1 . cents. In addition they
are clanoring for a bounty OF 1-2 cent
pound, dimnishahle at the rate Of 10 per
cent a year for ten years, when the bounty
shall cease to be payable. They contend
that nothing short of this viii foster tie
beet sugar industry of the United 5 tateS.
Ifthey are defeated in the committee these
beetsugar people say they have the strength
to put this duty on in the Senate, and Will
make a fight with that end in view.