The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-05
Some Of the Most Important Schedules
Already Decided On, and Others
Nearing Completion.
CONCESSIONS TO FARMERS
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS RE-
STORED TO M'KINLEY RATES.
Specific Duties to Take the Place Of
Ad VaIorem wherever Possible
Rates ON PIate Glass.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 4-The daily ses-
sions of the Republican members Of the
ways and means committee, which have
been In progress for about two weeks. have
brought the tariff bill which is to be laid
before the next Congress TO a stage where
the character Of the measure can be some
what gauged and where certain OF the most
important schedules are definitely fixed. In
their conferences UP to this week the tariff
makers have dealt largely with the general
characteristics of the schedules which they
have had under consideration, and devoted
themselves to sitting the great masses OF
figures, letters and petitions presented TO
them. Four schedules have now been fair
ly completed-the chemical. agricultural,
wines and spirits, and earthen and glass;
ware schedules All of the rates which
have been decided on are subject to change
before the committee finishes the bill. but
most of them probably will remain they
have been fixed in the first draft OF the bill.
To-day's meeting was the most important
of the series, for il resulted I'm the framing
of the agricultural schedule. which was
made re-enactment OF the Mckinley law,
with few changes except on unimportant
products. The most important step in con-
nection with this schedule was the estab-
lshment OF rates of s. a head on cattle
more than one year old and of 25 per cent.
ad valorem on cattle valued at more than
$50 a head. The Mckinley rates on other
live stock, including the rate OF - on cattle
of one year old or less, are restored. The
Wilson rates were 20 per cent ad valore1n
on live stock, and while the new duty OF
s. on cattle does not reach the Mckinley
figure of SO on cattle more than one year
old it is expected that, with the ad valorem
on the more valuable grades. II will prove
adequate to shut out Mexican cattle. 1t Is
against the Mexican stock that the increase
is particularly directed, on the representa-
tions of Western cattle men that their busi-
ness had been ruined by the importations
from Mexico under the Wilson law. which
amounted to more than 100000 head.
Much interest centered upon barley,
which the committee puts back TO the Me-
kinley duty OF 80 cents bushel, because
the farmers contended that the Wilson
hands of the Canadians, while the maltsters
who have been using Canadian barley have
made a hard fight against any Increase
The Mckinley rates have been restored
on fruits and berries, mainly for the bene-
fit of the fruit growers OF the Pacific coast.
The fruit exchanges OF the country had
prepared a schedule of rates below the Nc
kinley bill, although above the Wilson
rates, but they did not succeed I'm havirg
their schedule adopted.
Among the products in the agricultural
schedule which are returned 10 the Me-
Kinley rates are breadstuffs and rice, dairy
products, potatoes and starch. castor beans
and flaxseed, meats and meat products,
eggs and poultry, vegetables and salt. The
demand OF the farmer for the Mckinley
rate of 81 a ton on hay, instead or the VIII
son rate, s., was granted. Chicory T. placed
at / cent pound. in accordance with the
requests of the growers in the central
States, who believe they can capture the
home market with protection. Rates
oranges have not been fixed but the cou.-
mittee has decided to change the classifica-
tion and make the rates higher than those
of the Mckinley bill for the benefit or the
California interest.
In the chemical schedule many OF the Will
son rates will be retained. The Wilson du-
ties on soaps and on sodaS and kindred
chemicals which are the raw materials OF
soap are left unchanged. The present rates
on oils. including castor oil, also will be
retained except where changes made
necessary by the restoration OF duties on
the raw materials which enter into them,
as in the case OF linseed oils. There will be-
but slight Changes in the rates on paints
and dye stuffS and their constituent ele-
ments. The duties on borate OF lime will
be cents a pound refined borax, .
cents; boracic acid. cents. which are COM
promises between the Mckinley and Wilson
rates. The duties on lead in ores Is placed
at l cent a pound, on pig lead cents, on
white lead and lead acetates 2is cents.
The committee has decided 10 retain the
Wilson rates on wines and spirits through
out the wine and spirit schedule This
schedule OF the Wilson act generally
higher in Its rates than i'm the Mckinley
act.
The committee has devoted some time to
the consideration OF manufactures OF iron
and steel and TO cotton manufactures, but
has not perfected these schedules.
In the cotton schedule there Will be few
changes from the present law, except In
rates on finery yarns and the most costly
fabrics The changes i'm the iron and steel
schedule will be limited to a few special-
ties like cotton ties, on which Mckinley
Duties will be re-oSta abliShPd- tin plate.
which has been unsettled, and some forms
OF tube steel and surgical instruments.
tee so much trouble as the one which in
cludes earths, earthenware and glassware.
1t has been claimed by all the pottery and
proven destructive 10 their interests and
that no system of ad valorem levies could
properiy Protect ti,sIl, -. aS. so .ho
items OF the schedule 10 such specific duties
$ will be equal to the duties OF the Nc
Kinley law, most OF which were ad valorem.
On account OF the decorative features or
such wares. which often are the chief ele-
ment in their value. IL is particularly diff
cult to adjust a satisfactory specific rate.
plate glass has been arranged as follows:
Under Is and "a inches. cents per square
foot (present rate cents); above Is and "A
ent rate cents); above "a by 30 and not ex-
ceeding "a by so, the present rate OF 22lz
cents; all above "a by 90. the present rate
of 81 cents.
Lumber will be the next subject which
will engage the committees attention.
Throughout the work the policy OF estab-
fishing specific rates wherever IL found
possible to substitute them for ad valorem
has been followed. The interests OF farm
ers II Is stated. have been particularly OBJ
served in fixing duties for the purpose or
protection. on the other hand the increase
on manufactured goods. most Of them have
been on higher grades of goods and those
which are considered luxuries.
Canadians Want Free Trade
g. 70
Cartwright, minister Of trade and COM
merce OF the Dominion of Canada. and Mr..
L. II. Davies, minister OF marine and fish,
cries the commission sent by the Liberal
government OF Canada to Washington 10
sound the Republican leaders on the sub
ject OF reciprocity. arrived in the city to-
night and registered at the Shoreham
Hotel. The two commissioners promptly re-
tired TO their rooms and declined TO see