Evening star., 1897-03-11
THE NEW TARIFF BILL
Republican Senators Satisfied That the De-
bate Will Be Extended.
Policy of the Senate Finance Com
mfttee When the Measure Shall
De Reported.

The republican caucus committee of the
Senate was in session again today. con-
sidering the situation relative to program
for organizing the Senate The committee
is yet quite distance from an agreement
and it may be decided to let the present
condition continue for time and make no
attempt to reorganize the committees.
The tariff situation is giving the republi-
cans some concern. They feel sure that
their bill can pass, but it is now believed
that the oebate is going to be extended in
the Senate. 1t is known that the inten-
ton of the democrats is to talk on every
subject in the bill. The delay is regarded
by some democrats as good party policy.
After the schedules of the bill become
known it is believed there will be a great
increase of importations in order to take
advantage of duties under the low rates.
After the new bill goes into effect there
will be suspension of imports for several
months and a consequent falling off in
receipts, ard the bill which was designed
to increase the revenues will. matter
of fact, show a decrease. This view is
taken by quite a number of democrats,
who say that it Is their policy to have the
bill passed, but not until after it has been
thoroughly discussed. Without an active
majority in the Senate the republicans will
not be able to hurry the measure along.
Even the silver republicans who have in
dicated that they will not prevent tariff
bill from passing will no doubt enter into
the policy of delay.
Republican sena tors now feel that the
new bill will have to be materially amend
ed by the committee on finance and the
Senate.
They have Information that in many
points the rates will be higher than in the
law of 1890. 1t is known that two sched-
u'es have been submitted to members of
the finance committee, and one of these
is the chemical schedule, which covers
many things which enter into the manu-
facture of other goods, general idea of
the rates of the bill could be formed.
Without making a close examination, it Is
ur derstood that senators think that the
rates are high, in some cases higher than
the law of 1890.
AS the new bill is presented the
republican members of the finance commit
tee will begin consideration of it, even be-
fore it passes the House. in order to have
it brought before the Senate at an early
date.
There was some discussion at one time
that the republican members of the finance
committee would be consulted by the ways
and means committee while the latter was
at work on the tariff, in order that meas
ure might be framed which would require
as little amendment by the Senate as pos
sible. This has not been done. nor was it
expected by the senator's; in fact, they
would have had no time during the close
of the session for any such consultation.
1t is more than likely that joint action
bers Of both houses are willing that it
should be delayed until the bill is in con-
ference. and has been debated by both
houses. ~
At present the program of the repubH-
can senators is only definitely made out on
one line, and that is to bring the tariff bill
before the Senate as soon as possible and
press it with all possible speed.