New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-20
RESULTS OF CONFERENCE.

Ono evidence that the conference tariff de-
serves credit may be seen In the misrepresenta-
lions of it. which are more numerous and more
ahsnrd than usuaI. One claim is that the Sugar
Trust gains vastly because the lowest and the
highest grades OF refined bear exactly the same
duty, which will be absolutely prohlbltory on
"such sugars as are technically known as first
.grade German marks" The truth is that the
present dferpntial duty an eighth OF cent
pound, Is exactly the same for all grades OF
refined and the same as that In the pending
bill. and the present additional duty on bounty
paid sugar. q tenth Of cent pound, Is not
absolutely prohibitory." but failed to exclude
10000 900 pounds in the last fiscal year The
provision which will exclude such sugars In the
main Is the one for a countervailing duty on all
bounty-paid sugar. refined or raw, equal to the
bounty paid thereon. This intended TO
give decisive advantage to beet-sugar pro-
tlucers in this country, and TO refined made
from such beet sugar, and the more thoroughly
IL secures the home market 10 home producers
the sooner will the country be free from de-
pendence either upon domestic monopoly or
upon foreign bOunties.
The conference bill makes the duty on refined
exactly an eighth higher than on sugar testing
100 degrees. as 1t was in the House bill. putting
both .Q75 Of a cent higher. At 81 degrees the
House duty and the conference duty are exactly
the same. IL cents, and below that point the
conference duties run lower than those OF the
House by one-hundredth Of cent for every
two degrees Above 81 degrees the conference
duties advance more than those Of the House in
the same proportion so that on SS-degree beet
sugar they are .O15 of cent higher-1405
against 139 cents-glving some further advan
tage to domestic beet-sugar producers. More
over the progressive increase gives still greater
advantage against foreign centrifugal sugar, on
which at 90 degrees the conference duty is
1855, against 163 cents under the House bill
Between this duty on 96 degrees and on refined
tire difference by the House bill was .24j Of
cent. by the Senate bill 80 and by the confer
ence bill go. This difference covers the loss
by refining and other cost. so that Of 90 OF
cent between the Senate and the House bill the
conference retained .O20 and dropped $50.
The assertion Is commonly made by Demo
cratic journals that the conference bill Will not
yield enough revenue by S20O0000O The first
year, and that Senator Aldrich and Represent
alive Dinglcy have admitted. The story is
contradicted as 20 Chairman Dingley by his
own statement to The Trbune's Washington
correspondent, and probably Mr.. Adrlch would
nos modify his estimate made when the bill
was first reported 10 the Senate, in the light OF
existing facts. Every such estimate is neces
sar.Iy based upon some co u ,cttrs regarding the
measure Of prosperity TO be expected, and the
resulting magnitude OF consumption and i'm
portation of taxed or dutiable articles. II Is
every day becoming more probable that expand
ing business within the next few months will
iissre larger consumption Of most products than
was realized during the last fiscal year. and
ca,-,eqnently larger revenue.
he decision Of the cOnferrees rs 10 wool and
'gaellens adds materially to the revenue to be
expected. not Immediately from wool. but from
goods. and the House duty on fine lumber adds
something. while the conference duties on bur
laps. bags and bagging il not quite as high as
the House proposed, will materially increase