Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-07-15
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 Plate--The House
In Session Only Three
Minutes.

gress in the conference on the tariff
bill spent busy day yesterday devoted
for 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 intorma-
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
q 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-
lieved that this action on the part of
the house men was for the purpose OF
deciding upon Il 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 conferces more or less, can now
be settled whenever other matters
have reached a stage for final ADJUST
ment The senate conferees are ready
to compromise the differences on first
and second-class woods by making
them both dutable at II 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 manufacturers, but this
is not assured.
The question of jute, jute bagging,
burlaps cotton bagging and cotton
ties, which the senate placed on the
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 II 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 determined fight on the
part of the house conferees to get lead
ore to one cent pound, but Senator
Jones, of Nevada, representing the
lead mining industry, has taken such
firm position against any change
from the senate figures that the house
representatives apparently have yield
ed finally. The question has been left
in such shape, however, that it can be
returned to and it may be reopened.
On white pine the house has won,
and unless the decision which has been
reached is revised, the house schedule
fixing the rate at " per $1,000 feetwill
be reported.
THE DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATION BILL"
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE price to
be paid for armor plate for the three
new battleships now in course of con-
struction was the theme of extended,
and at times lively, debate in the sem
ate yesterday. Late in the day an
amendment to the deficiency appropr-
alton bill was agreed to, restricting
the price Of armor plate to $500 per
ton, or Sl2b less than the amendment
reported by the committee and recon-
mcnded 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-
tablishment Of a government armor
factory and to report to the next SEES
sion of congress,
During the debate, Mr. Hale urged
that the failure to equip the battle.
ships with nrmor would humiliate the
United States in the eyes of the world
and would lessen our naval power at a
time of possible 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 SS,ilO,795 for
armor for the three battleships author
lied in 1896 and limited the cost per
ton To Si95, Mr. Butler. of North Car
DINA, offered an amendment reducing
the total to 81, iO7 800 limiting the cost
to $500 per ton and providing for the
establishment of a government armor
factory If private concerns do not bid
within $500 per ton.
The first vote was on an amendment
limiting the cost of armor to $500 per
ton. 1t was carried, ON viva voce
vote, Mr. Hale and one or two Others
being the only ones to vote in the neg
alive.
Mr., Butler then offered an amend
ment authorizing the secretary of TIL,
navy to make an investigation and re
ceive propositions for the establish
ment of government armor factory
and report to congress at its mex
session. 1t was agreed to and at SO,
p. IN. the senate adjourned.
A SHORT HOUSE SESSION
WASHINGTON, July 1.-the hous,
took recess yesterday without trans
acting any business. Mr.. Cannon, thu
chairman of the appropriation com
mittee of the last congress, announce,
that it was evident that the defcienc,
bill would not be ready to act upol
until Wednesday and he, therefore
moved recess until to-day at nool
and the motion carried. The hous
was in. session but three minutes
weak Bridge Causes Trouble.
SEpALIA, Mo-, July IL wooder