Warren sheaf., 1897-02-11
REVISING THE TARIFF.
Rapid Progress Made BY House
Ways and Means Committee.
"a New Revenue Measure Well Ad.
vanced-Some of the More Impor-
tant Schedules That Have Been s5
Practically Decided Upon.

Washington, Feb. 5.-The work Of
framing the new tariff law has been
will advance by the republican mem
bers OF the ways and means committee
aud rapid progress has been made with
the leading schedules. The prog
ress made by the committee indicates
that they will have the bill well ad-
vanced by the close Of the present ses-
sion on March 4, in spite Of the fact that
some puzzling questions remain to be
dealt with. Following is the action de-
cided upon with regard to some sched-
ules: s...-t- ~
Important Change ON Cattle. -
Tho wine and spirit schedule Of the Nc
kinley bill has been adopted almost with
out the erasure Of line One of the most
important changes Is on live cattle. which
are covered by blanket provision of the
existing law for all live animals at 20 cents
ad Valorem. The rate under the new law
will be IS per head on cattle more than one
year old. and Is per cent. ad valorem on
cattle valued above so. '.'~4
Farm Products. .....
The rate on barley Is the Mckinley ratio
OF 80 cents per bushel, which was demanded
by the American barley growers. Hay is
put at a per ton, the same as in the Nc
Kinley law. and hops at is cents per pound,
which Is also an extract from the Mckinley
law. Vegetables all go back to the Nc
Kinley rates. potatoes being put at 25
bushel. Other items on which Mckinley
rates are restored are: Salt, IL cents per
100 pounds In packages and 8 cents when
IN bulk; starch, 2 cents per pound; salt
meat extracts, IS cents per pound: salt
meats. rs per cent; milk. s cents per
gallon, and poultry. 20 per cent. Eggs go
back to cents per dozen and berries to the
old Mckinley rate.
The Chemical Schedule.
Under the chemical schedule soap made
Of caustic of soda and kindred chemicals
remain ut the rate fixed in the Wilson law,
which is considered sufficiently protective
The principal oils are left at existing rates.
except in the case Of linseed and haxseed
oil, where an advance was required be-
cause Of the restoration of the Mckinley
duties on the raw material. Refined borax
is advanced from cents to cents per
pound, which is somewhat under the Nc
Kinley rate. There are only slight changes
in dyestuffs and their elements.
Iron and Steel.
Lead in ores is fixed at / cent per pound,
pig lead is 2 cents. and white lead and lead
acetates at PA cents. These rates are
considerably less than those Of the Nc
Kinley law. The iron and steel schedule
was left In a fairly satisfactory condition
to the manufacturers by the present Law,
and will not be changed. except upon few
special articles, like tin plate and cotton
ties and some Of the forms Of tube steel.
Cotton, Wool, Etc.
A rate Of cents per pound upon all classes
Of wool has been suggested as probable
compromise upon the raw product. The
cotton schedule was satisfactory in its
present construction to many Of the man
ufacturers when it was pnr in its present
form, and they are asking only minor
changes. Wines and spirits will be made
satisfactory. If possible, to the California
grape growers and manufacturers. The
earthenware schedule will also be incom-
plete, but will be put upon firm protective
basis. The rates on decorated china were
put exceptionally low in the present law.
because of irritation between the manufac
turers and their employees. The new rates
will be subjected to some advances. The
smaller sizes Of plate glass are advanced
from to cents per foot when not ex-
ceeding 1S by Il inches, and from s to II
cents per foot when not exceeding "a by 30
inches square.