The record-union., 1897-06-27
See Their Way Clear to Adjust Most of
Their Differences.
The Only Problems Yet Unsoived Are
the Schedules Relating to Lead,
Ore, Coal, Iron, Gypsum, Taliow
and a Few Chemicals, But They
Are Confident of Holding the Strict
Party Strength When the Vote is
Taken.
Taken.

WASHINGTON, June 26.-The Re-
publican tariff managers are very
hopeful of being able to complete the
consideration of the tariff bill in the
Senate by next Wednesday night,
result which would bring the end i n
the Senate within the present month.
Ihey are led to this conclusion because
the Republicans have adjusted most
or 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 it a week further
off or about the 7th or Sth of July, but
admit that the end may come by Sat-
| urday of next week.
OF the problems still unsolved by the
Republicans, lead, ore, coal, iron ore,
gypsum, tallow and a few chemicals
are giving the most trouble. But there
is no doubt of an adjustment on all of
these which will hold the full party
vote. The disposition is to hold to the
rates at present fixed on lead and iron
ore. with the intention of making
changes in conference. The rate on
Canadian coal will probably be ad-
vanced to 81 cents per long ton
The advocates of a high rate on lead
ore are apparently prepared to meet their
opponents half way in conference and
accept rate of IA cents.
The Finance Committee has practi-
cally decided to abandon the proposed
tax on bank checks, which at one time
was SO favorably considered, and also
the increase of fl cents a barrel in the
beer tax and the change in the tobacco
tax.
There is some difficulty in the Judi
ciary Committee in agreeing upon the
form of an antitrust amendment, but
all the probabilities point to the incor-
poration of the Pettus proposition, di-
rected specifically at the sugar trust,
and of very little more. 1t is expected
that the reciprocity amendment will be
ready for presentation by next Tues
day. The present indications are that
1t will make provisions for negotiating
reciprocity treaty, but that there Will
be requirement that they shall be
submitted to the Senate. The necessity
for subserving the revnue will render
it impossible that provision should be
made for the free admission of dutiable
articles under reciprocal agreements,
but that a maximum percentage for
remission will be specified The rate of
remission most favorably considered
now is 20 per cent.
There probably will be objection to
the retention of the House provisions
for the continuance of the Hawaiian
reciprocity agreement on sugar, but the
Finance Committee will favor such an
arrangement, and the probabilities
are that the Republicans will support it
solidly pending action upon the annex
alton treaty.
The action of the committee in with
drawing it's amendments to the sugar
schedule probably would have the ef-
feet of leaving the provision in force
without further effort to that end, but
there is a probability that some one
will not offer amendments that will
open up the entire question.
The question of the duty on tea is
again receiving the attention of the
committee. This was practically aban-
doned at one time, but since it 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 nee
essary to bring the revenue up TO the
requisite point. The lnclinations Of the
committee are still against the tax, and
if kept in it will only be on account of
mittee is now having a computation
made that will determine this matter
The expectation is that the bill will
not be long in conference. The pros
pective House conferrees have been in
touch with the Senate managers from
the beginning of the consideration of
the bill infthe Senate and have already,
1T is stated, practically concurred in
many of the changes which have been
made.
Both the Senate and House managers
Will agree upon the necessity for as
early an agreement as possible
Senator Aldrich is expected to return
in time to act with the Senators in the
conference. He is looked for on Sur
day.
The Senate Finance Committee has
changed the provision for a duty On
hides so as to make it ad valorem in
stead of specific, fixing the rate at 20
per cent. instead of y cents per pound.
The leather paragraph is also altered
so as to provide compensatory duties
for the duty on hides