Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-26
Hopes Of Completing Tariff Debate by
Wednesday Night.
DEMOCRATS DO NOT EXPECT THIS
Concessions to Be Made by the
Finance Committee.
HAWAII AND RECIPROCITY


very hopeful of being able to complete the
consideration of the tariff bill in the Sen
ate by next Wednesday night, a result
which would bring the end in the Senate
Within the present month. They are led
TO this conclusion beca Use the republicans
have adjusted most of their differences and
see their way clear to the settlement of
others.
The democratic leaders do not concede
the possibility of SO early a conclusion
ihey generally place 1t week further on,
or about the 7th or Sth of July, but admit
that the end may come by Saturday of next
week.
Or the problems still unsolved by the re-
publ1eans lead ore, COAL iron ore, gypsum
tailoW and few chemicals are giving the
most trouble, but there is TO doubt of an
adjustment on all cf these which will hold
sition is to hold to the rates at present
nxed on lead and iron ore, with the inten-
tion OF making changes in conference. The
rate on Canadian coal will probably be ad-
Vanced to 67 cents per long ton.
Inc advocates of a high rate on lead
ore are prepared apparently to meet their
opponents half way in conference and ac-
cept rate OF N cents.
Finance Committee Yields,
Inc finance committee has practically
cec1ded to abandon the proposed tax on
bank checks, which at one time was SO
favorably considered, and also the in
crease OF A cents a barrel in the beer
tax and the change In the tobacco tax
Indeed 1T appears more than probable that
all the changes In the internal revenue
laws proposed by the bill will be aban-
doned.
There is some difficulty in the Judiciary
committee in agreeing upon the form of an
abilities point to the incorporation of the
Pettus proposition directed specifically at
the sugar trust and of very little more.
1t Is expected that the reciprocity amend
ment Will be ready for presentation by next
Tuesday. The present indications are that
1t will make provision for the negotiation
OF reciprocity treaties, but that there will
be requirement that they shall be SUBJ
mltted mute 70 the Senate, differing in this re-
spect from the reciprocity provision of the
Mckinley law. The necessity for lsubsery-
ing the revenues will render it impossible
that provision should be made for the free
admission OF dudable articles under recip-
rccal agreements. but that a maximum
percentage for remission will be specified.
The rate of remission mcst favorably con-
sidered now is 20 per cent.
The Agreement With Hawaii.
There will probably be no objection to
the retention Of the House provision for
the continuance of the Hawaiian reciproc-
ity agreement on sugar. but the finance
committee will favor such an arrangement
and the probabilities are that the republi-
cans will support it sohdly. pending action
upon the annexation treaty. The action of
the committee in withdrawing its amend
ments to the sugar schedule would prob
ably have the effect Of leaving the provi-
sion In force without further effort to that
one will not offer an amendment that will
open up the entire question.
With the question once opened there Is
liable to be considerable debate, which in
treaty is liable to trench upon executive
privileges.
The democrats also expect to discuss
hides, chemicals, lead ore, coal and various
1t is on this account that they put the date
of conclusion so far beyond that fixed by
the republicans.
The Duty on Tea.
The question of the duty on tea is again
receiving the attention of the committee.
This was practically abandoned at one
time. Since 1t has been found necessary to
let the beer tax go and to forego the tax
on checks it Is thought that the tea duty
may be necessary to bring the revenue ur
to the requisite point. The limitations OF
the committee are still against the tax,
and II Kept in 1t will only be on account of
the necessity for SO doing. The committee
is now having a computation made that
will determine this matter.
The expectation Is that the bill will not
be long in conference. The House con-
ferees have been in touh with the Senate
managers from the beginning of the con-
sideration of the bill in the Senate and
have already, 1t Is stated, practically con-
CURED in many Of the changes which have
beeen made.
Both the Senate and House managers
will agree upon the necessity for as early
an agreement as possible. and working in
this spirit they will not split hairs.
Senator Aldrich is expected to return in
time to act with the senator's in the con-
ference. He Is looked for Sunday.
Predictions as to the day when a vote
will be taken in the Senate vary, ranging
from Wednesday to Saturday. Senator
Wilson believes that a vote will be taken
next Wednesday. while Senator Thurston
who Is very anxious for a speedy passage
of the bill, thinks Saturday will be the
day Senator Allison Is reported as saving
that Thursday will settle the matter SEN
ator Platt of New York makes no predic-
tion as to the day. but thinks 1t will be be-
tween Wednesday and Saturday.
The democrats say they do not pose as
prophets, and few make predictions
Il think vote will be reached on Fri
day." said Senator McLaurin of South
Carolina. THAT is hangman's day, and.
as the bill will bring ruin and misery. il
would be appropriate to put it through on
hangman's day.
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