The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-13
BY Conference Committee
on the Tariff.
Wool, Lumber and Sugar are
the Bones of Contention.
Prospects Now are That Conferees'
Report Will Be Delayed.

Washington, July 13.-The tariff con-
ferees have struck some snags in their
work. The minor matters were easily
adjusted, but there has been no agree
ment on any Of the important features
and the outlook yesterday was that
several reports would have 10 be made
before an adjustment could be reached.
The house conferees are standing solid
ly by their bill and the senate conferees
are no less tenacious.
The senate conferees have laid before
the house members the condition in the
senate, where there is not an actual ma
jority of the Republicans and where
other than Republican votes are neces-
sary TO pass the bill or to adopt a con-
ference report. They asserted that in
1894 the Democrats were in better shape
in the senate than the Republicans are
now. as they had an actual majority,
yet the house was finally compelled 10
accept the senate bill in order tc pass 1t,
The members of the house are stand
ii.g by their bill nevertheless and have
told the senators that they cannot ac-
cept the senate amendments on many
items.
The more important features OF the
bill are not settled and the conferees
find trouble on items outside OF sugar
wool. ccal and lead. Lumber has been
In dispute. and the house conferees have
insisted that the house rate on white
pine must be accepted and they have
been supported in this by Senator Bur-
.xf ff.l he 20 %
81 and the senate reduced IL TO ST. The
senate conferees say that If the house
rate is restored IL will provoke long
discussion in the senate and that no one
can tell when the bill would get out Of
the senate again.
Straw mating, which the senate put
n the free list, is an item of contention.
The house conferees have refused TO
accept even the rate which was originally
reported I'm the senate bill, and stand for
the house rate. Burlaps. cotton ties
and other items which were placed on
the free list by the senate met with great
hostility from the house conferees and
so far nothing In the way of a compro-
mise offered by the senate members has
been accepted.
The house conferees are also insisting
upon higher compensatory duties on
manufactures Of cotton on account of
the duty of 20 per cent on raw cotton.
The house members have maintained
that the house bill has been commended
more that the senate bill and that the
conferees should get as close 10 IL as
possible. The senate conferees in ad-
dition to presenting the present political
nj 0f h.. hay oil
out the difficulty that will occur IL sew
eral reports OF party agreements and
disagreements are made. They have
told the house members that IL will lead
10 endless discussion. that they have no
power to force a vote and that there is
not majority i'm the senate to keep the
senate In session in case of a illibuster
against the conference report.
Split ON Wool Schedule.
The noon recess of the conferees was
devoted largely TO q conference with in
dividual senators in which the house
representatives in the conference par
ticipated. This conference developed
the fact that the wool schedule had been
under especial discussion during the
forenoon session and that the house men
had shown decided disposition to hold
on TO the house rates. There was evil
dent apprehension that If this contention
was granted there would be difficulty
In getting the bill through the senate
and IL is not believed that this apprehen-
sion was changed by the results Of their
inquiries.
There was also a hurried conference
between the Republican representatives
of the senate In the conference and the
Democratic members ofthe finance com
mittee in regard TO the probable course
OF the Democrats in case the articles 10
which they were especially instrumental
In having placed on the free list should
be made dutiable.
These articles include cotton bagging.
gunnybags. burlaps. cotton ties, paris
green, floor mating etc The house
IS insisting upon their restoration to
the dutiable list and some Of the senate
conferees are inclined 10 yield because
OF the need for the revenue they would
produce.
The conference with the Democrats