Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-07-17
THE TARIFF BILL.
The Sugar and Wool Schedules Civ
ing the Conferees Trouble
DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATION BILL.
A Lively Debate in the Senate Over the
Item for Armor PIate-The House
in Session Only Three
Minutes.

sentatives of the two houses of con-
gress in the conference on the tariff
bill spent busy day yesterday devoted
fcs' the most part to the work in the
conference room. There were occa-
sional consultations with other sena-
tors or members of the house upon
points at issue, but these were brief,
so that comparatively little informa-
ton as to the progress made found its
way to outsiders. 1t is known that
almost the entire day was devoted to
the sugar and wool schedules, and the
best information obtainable is that
a final agreement was not reached
upon either. At one time during the
afternoon the senate and house con-
ferreeS separated, the house men re-
pairing to the ways and means COM
mittee room. 1t was generally be-
1ieved that this action on the part of
the house men was for the purpose of
deciding upon line of policy on sugar,
but they declined to give out any in
formation.
1t is believed that the wool sched-
ule, which has occupied the attention
of the conferees more or less, can now
be settled whenever other matters
have reached stage for final adjust
ment. The senate confereeS are ready
to compromise the differences on first
and second-class woods by making
them both dutiable at IL cents and
compromise on third-class woods has
been suggested by the house members
of the conference, concerning which
they express the hope that it will be
satisfactory to both the wool growers
and the carpet manufac turerS, but this
is not assured.
The question of jute, jute bagging,
burlaps, cotton bagging and cotton
re r1l3 on he
free list, is causing much trouble. The
house conferees insist that these items
shall go back on the dutiable list and
the senate conferees plead that if they
are put back delay must be the result
in the senate.
Two of the questions which it is
stated upon good authority have been
decided recently are those affecting
lead ore and white pine lumber. There
has been a determined fight on the
part of the house conferees to get lead
ore to one cent a pound, but Senator
Jones, of Nevada, representing the
lead mining industry, has taken such
a firm position against any change
from the senate figures that the house
represen tatives apparently have yield
ed finally. The question has been left
in such shape, however, that it can be
returned to and it may be reopenecl.
and unless the decision which has been
reached is revised, the house schedule
fixing the rate at 81 per 81, 900 feet will
be reported
THE DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATION BILL
WASHINGTON, July 14.-The price to
be paid for armor plate for the three
new battleships now in course of con-
struction the theme of extended,
and at times lively, debate in the SEN
amendment to the deficiency appropri-
alton bill was agreed to, restricting
the price of armor plate to $500 per
ton, or 1925 less than the amendment
reported by the committee and recon-
mended by the navy department as the
minimum rate acceptable to the armor
contractors. Another amendment in
serted in the bill directed the secretary
af the navy to investigate as to the es-
Establishment of a government armor
factory and to report to the next ses-
sion of congress.
During the debate, Mr.. Hale urged
that the failure to equip the battle
ships with armor would humiliate the
United States in the eyes of the world
and would lessen our naval power at a
time of possib BILE foreign complications.
After inserting the armor amendments,
the deficiency appropriation bill, the
last OF the great supply measures, was
passed. The deficiency bill provided a
total appropriation of 3,4IO, 725 for
armor for the three battleships author
lied in 1896 and limited the cost per
ton to S425. Mr.. Butler, of North Car
DINA offered an amendment reducing
the total to So. 4oT, 500, limiting the cost
to $500 per ton and providing for the
establishment of government armor
factory if private concerns do not bid
within $500 per ton.
Mr. Butler then offered an amend
ment authorizing the secretary of the
navy to make an investigation and re-
ceive propositions for the establish
ment of a government armor factory
and report to congress at its next
session. 1t was agreed to and at $50
p. m. the senate adjourned
SHORT HOUSE SESSION.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE house
took recess yesterday without trans
acting any business. Mr.. Cannon, the
chairman of the appropriation COM
mittee of the last congress, announced
that it was evident that the deficiency