New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-06
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
A LONG CONTROVERSY OVER LUMHER-FlNlsi
ING THE WOOD SCHEDULE.

THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
A LONG CONTROVERSY OVER LCMRER-FlNlsH
ING THE WOOD SCHEDULE.
Washington. June 6-Ou the opening OF the SEN
ate to-day letter from the Secretary OF State was
received transmitting protest from Australia Hun
gary against the discriminating duty on sugar
The communication was referred to the Finance
Committee.
At12I5 o'clock the consideration of the Tariff bill
was resumed The first paragraph OF the Woou
schedule. relating 10 hewn timber, etc. was agreed
10 al a cents per cubic foot the new rate proposed
by the committee.
When the next paragraph. pkinks. sawed boards,
deals etc. was reached Air Yes. said no would
later move place the articles OF this paragraph
ard those Of the previous one on ahe free list
Mr. Allison then perfected the proviso relating TO
the addition OF the export duty upon sawlogs COM
ing from counties paying an export duty SO Una,
the prov!so will apply also TO boomsucAs ana
chains used IN towing loss This amendment was
agreed 70. ~
Mr. Jones OF Arkansas spoke against addtiona!
tax or lumber. referring to tho heavy burden II I'M
posed on the people Of the West. He said the rates
OF the bill were tho result OF determined and svs-
temaic effort BY the lumbermen, ana read d Iel'cr
from the National Lumber Convention issued IRON
an Office In Washington, urging that petitions to
Senators and Representatives be prepared. bearing
the names OF workirgme This, Mr.. Jones de-
clared was the means by which the high rates
were beng urged.
Mr. Vest said there was not a single item in the
bill! 80 utterly indefcnsible that increasing the
rata on white pine taking :; from the free list
and placing IT s. per 100 feet White pine was
Justly called the king OF coniferous woods" and
yet the clear intent Of the trainers Of this bill
was TO make the rates absolutely prohibitory on
this wood. 1t was due TO some extent 10 COM
petition between the lumber interests Of the West
and the South. and he had been confronted by
referred
to the in which the Maine delegation
the abest in Congress-had succeeded for
years In keeping spruce on the dutiable list 1t
was a credit TO their capacity. which they dis
played in all directions securing among other
things public buildings than any other State.
MR.. VESTS HEART BLEEDS FOR THE POOR.
Mr. Vest declared that the proposed rate
white pine in the interest OF the lumber
barons, who have accumulated millions upon mill
ions" the expense Of the people AS evidence
Of this. he read letter from Michigan. giving the
names Of Michigan pine kings" In fervid tones
Mr. Vest referred this added burden the
poor. 10 whom every penny was almost a dollar
and every dollar almost a drop or blood. 1t was,
he said. the indefensibe item of the bill,
without justification palliation.
Mr.. Jones. Of Arkansas. warned his Southern
associates against the argument that the lumber
interests OF the South would be benefited by the
exclusion of Canadian lumber. He read letter
from an American lumherman the border. say
Canadians 10 reduce the price Of their lumber, and
eventually IL would come into the United States
cheaper than at present
Mr. McI.aurin Dem. s c.. who recently en-
tered the Senate. made his first speech in critics.
ing the rates OF the wood schedule. He said they
were not designed 10 benefit any Southern in
dustry and that II there was anything Of the kind
il was merely incidental
Mr. Vest moved amendment excepting white
pine from the operation Of the paragraph
Mr.. BACON SUPPORTS THE COMMITTEE
Mr. Bacon dem. Ga.) expressed his differences
with Mr. Vest. The latter, he said. had pointed
out rates increased 100 per cent. while in this
schedule the average ad valorem was below 20 per
cent. That being the case. Mr.. Bacon asserted
that Mr. Vests statement that this the most
unjustihable feature OF the bill not warrant
ed. Il regard IL as the reasonable feature OF
the whole bill" declared Mr. Bacon. Il regard
the schedule = proper one. irrespective of the
party from which Il comes" Mr. Bacon went
10 say that he not protectionist But the
stern necessities Of the Government required tar
if and a high tariff. He not speaking for a
came necessary 10 impose revenue duties then it
was essential 20 make the rates uniform so far as
psLoI I'm >, sunn"-, y rs;e sinnnlV for the sake
OF protection he would not do IT, But when they
asked that the revenue duties be IN proportion 70
that just, and he would support it. Less than 20
per cent va not protective dut%. ne asSerted;
Southern lumber to the Northwest. and this in
dusIry would be stricken down without TINS Ieeltl-
mate revenue tarin: He bad received telegram,
he said. saying that every man. woman and child
was looking the success Of the lumber schedule:
Mr. I.acon argued against the imposition OF
yycre left on the free list. Why, he asked Mr..
Vest should the drops Of blood TO which the Mis-
OF the producer OF the finished product and not
the raw product? .
Mr. vest rather lightly said he understood the
web end woof Of the Senator's settlement 10 be
that he favored revenue tariff but not pro-
SHot only the web and wool but tho whole gar
Mr. Vest asked Mr. Bacon 70 explain why II was
mar these rates made absolutely prohibitory.
Mr. Bacon answered by & denial, saying that
2y 1oFi6,,orV He ADDED that he had spoken
some length before he found hlmSeI1 dIlIlerlhS
from OF hia DcmCCralir associaIe.' re ai
S1tv IS = revenue duty. end he referred MI Vest
~ fbe dutiee imposed ~ the Wilson act, framed
IN part by him.
VEST DIsOWNS THE WILSON LAW.
Mr. Vest said he entered his protest against any
statement that the Wilson act established pTece-
dent FOR the Democratic party. That bill he de-
clared was passed under duress. with the Presl-
dent and the Secretary OF the Treasury urging
that a tariff bill absolutely necessary
''If the Senator was called upon 10 frame rev
enue tariff bill interposc1 MI Bacon. what
would he consider the lowest average rate
THAT would depend on the requirements or Inc
Government" answered Mr.. Vest
NJ Vest thought II might be II the expenditures
OF he CovernnCnt were brought within reasonable
"6oula II be % per cent?" pursued Mr. Bacon.
Mr Vest said conJectur2l per cent could he
fxed without any infol nation on the requirements
Of the Government He added as 70 the wilson /,
bin that The three features IN which pride was
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