Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-19
AN AGREEMENT
Reached by the Conferees
on the Tariff Bill.
And Only a Few Minor Matters Now
Remain TO Be Settled.
The Bill Will Undoubtedly Be Finally Passed
Ia I Few Dsys.

Washington, July 18.-The long drawn
out tariff battle promises soon to be
brought to an end. The conferees, Sat-
urday, reached an agreement upon the
more important articles over which
there has been dispute. and there now
only remains some minor matters to
be settled.
Monday morning, the Democratic
members Of the conference committee
who have not been permitted to take
any part in the proceedings so far, will
be called into Consultation" The
formality of submitting the report ia
them and permitting them to record
their votes against 1t will be gone
through with, and then the result of
the deliberations of the conferees will
be presented in both houses of Con-
gress.
1t is not expected that there will be
| any delay in adopting the report in the
House, where it's considerations will be
| subject to rule limiting debate. A
few hours talk will be all that will be
allowed there, and then the House will
ratify the action of their representa-
tives on the conference committee.
In the Senate. however. ii will be diff
| ferent. The prospects are that at least
two days and possibly more will be de-
voted by that body to speechmaking.
Everybody is. however. tired Of the
tariff subject and tagged out by the
heat SO that 1t is reasonably certain
that the debate will not be unnecessar-
lily prolonged. The conferees' report
xrf1 fDo 10,
and Congress will probably be ready to
adjourn by Tuesday or Wednesday
night.
The bill as agreed upon will present
new sugar schedule, at least In the
main item of duty on raw and refined
sugar. The new sugar paragraph is as
follows:
Sugars not above No. 16, Dutch stand
ard. in color, tank bottoms, syrups of
cane juice. melada, concentrated mela-
da, concrete and concentrated molos-
SEES. tested by the polariscope, not
above as degrees. $500 Of cent per
pound, and for every additional degree
shown by the polariscope test, 3ls-1OO.
of cent per pound additional, and frac-
lions OF degree in proportions; and on
sugar above No. 16 Dutch standard, in
color, and on all sugar which has. gone
through process of refining, 125.1OOO
Of cent per pound additional. d,
1t will be observed that the modifica-
ton of the sugar schedule still leaves.
the rate on pure sugar testing 100 de-
grees 1876 cents per pound, which was
the Senate rate. The differential on re-
fined sugar is. however, X Of a cent
Senate differential was one-fifth, The
House also secures the elimination of
the one-tenth of cent reduction al
lowed on low grade sugars testing be-
low 81 degrees by the polariscope.
1t is claimed that the increase on the
higher grades of sugar which will re-
suit from the increase from the pOlari-
scopic graduation allowance will add
to the protection of the beet
sugar industry. The refiners necessari-
ly receive incidental benefit. 1t is esti-
mated that the changes in the sugar
schedule will raise about 81, 00O, 900 addi- |
tional revenue.
Hides. Is per cent. ad valorem, in place
OF the 20 per cent. fixed by the Senate
but ineffective fight to have hides restored
to the free list.
Wool Gas heretofore sent ouD. first
class. ii cents per pound; second class IL
cents per pound: third class. cents on /
that below Il cents per pound in value, |
and cents on that above u cents in |
value.
Lead ore. ~ cents per pound; pig lead, |
~ cents. the Senate rates.
Iron ore. as fixed by the Senate
Coal (bituminous), 81 cents per ton,
Tobacco. M.15 per pound on imported |
wrappers the Senate rate. 1t is also I'M |
derstood that the action of the Senate in |
out the internal revenue pro-
visions on tobacco and leaving the exist
ing law in force was accepted by the i
House conferrees.
Cyanide of potassium, 12a per cent, the
Senate rate. The House rate was Is
cents.
Boracic acid, cents per pound, the Sem
ate rate.
The Senate rate on borax was also sus-
Iained, as was that on soda ash, the rate /
being three-eighths Of a cent per pound
The Senate rates on all fruits were re-
-ained including ! cent per pound on
oranges. lemons, lines, etc On Walnuts
he House rate of 2 cents per pound was
the Senate having lowered this
'ate to az cents. +
White pine lumber was restored to the
House classification. and the House rate
II - per 1000 feet, instead Of the Senate
.ate of 81.
The reciprocity clause has been trans
,Ormed into modification of both the
Senate and House schedules. The num-
Der of articles which can be used as L
,ases for reciprocity agreements has in
creased, but the Presidents discretion
Is to rates and the ratificat ton of treaties
" the Senate will be rejected.
The House secured the restoration to
he dutiable list of buraps, jute and jute
tagging. cotton bagging. gunny sacks,
!Oor mating and cotton ties. which the
|enate placed on the free list. The rates
4 duty, however, are lower than they
ave ever been on this class of articles.
another victory of the House was the
of the Senate stamp tax on
Onds and stocks.
PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS. Il