Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-03-19
The Dingley Bill the First to
Be Considered - Not a
Radical MeaSure---Cu-
ban Matters Quiet.
Some Personal
Gossip.

bill, commonly known as the pingley
bill. From all appearances it If likely
to come nearer to pleasing the people as
whole than any measure ever before
considered. While it will be high pro-
tectivs measure, and thus in keeping
with the policy OF the party, it is not an
extreme measure, and in many respects
there will be important notifications OF
the old Mckinley law.
Some Of the more important features
are outlined below although important
changes may be made when the bill is
considered IN the house and senate:
The new bill is entitl,d d, Gan act to
provide revenue for the government and
to protect the industries OF the United
States"
1t is the purpose OF the committee to
devise provision that will enable reel
procity treaties to be made, not only to
secure the larger importation OF Ameri-
can manufacturers Into the South and
Central American countries, but also to
open the markets OF European countries,
particularly Germany and France, to the
freer use OF American meats and agricul-
tural products generally.
The bill is.s moderate measure The
high protectionists have not had their
own way all the time, even among the
republican members OF the committee.
There are moderate protectionists among
them, and every interest has had fair OPP
portunity to be lheard and 10 have it
claims defended in the,committee room
In only one .oriltwo schedules ID the
average rate OF duty as high as 1t was III
the Mckinley. This is true OF the wool
schedule, the wine and spirits schedule,
the tobacco schedule and in some parts
OF the sundries.
On the other hand, the important cot
ton schedule is eftiamost precisely as it
is in theIexisting or..W ilson German law
The chief reduction OF the free list is
found in coal and lumber, which WAS
placed upon the dutiable list at the old
or Mckinley rates.
The cotton schedule OF the existing law
which was found to be working satisfac-
torily to all interests concerned, both the
growers and..the manufactures, was left
almost untouched. New England's vast
influence upon the framing OF any Re
publican tariff measure Is seen.in the re-
tention OF the.cotton duties, and imam in
crease OF the leather rates, while hides
are left upon the free list, where they
were placed by the trainers OF the exist
ing law.
The wool schedule has given the Re-
publican members OF the committee more
trouble than anyiother They have been
forced to act as targets upon which the
shsrpshooters OF the old rivals, the wool
growers and the wool manufacturers,
practiced with great .sssiduity. 1t has
been hot fire.
After accordinglhearings and listening
to no end Of public arguments and pri-
vate appeals, the committee spent weary
days and nights in consideration OF these
duties. They hoped in vain for com
promise between the rivals. AT the last
moment, worn out by the contest. the
committee decided to restore the McKin.
ley rates in almost -everylparticular upon
both wool and wooden goods.
These rates as now fixed in the bill are
to some extent tentative. That is to say,
they are subject to amendment in the
house. IL not, the chances are the Nc
Kinley rates will stand.
Under the Mckinley law both wool
grower and wool manufacturers pros.
pered, and the committee felt that it
could do no ibetter than to go back to
the Mckinley schedule.
Salt is taken from the free list and the
Mckln 'ey rate restored. Some changes
are made in the existing lumber schedule
and provision is made for imposing 20
per cent additional duty in case any
country undertakes to impose discrimi-
mating duties on undergraduates for ex-
port to this country.
hC hSM law IL cAptCttu ny UemDeTs
OF the committee to produce an addition
HI revenue of between sixty and seven.
ty millions Off dollars per year
Estimates vary from the highest
to the lowest of these figures.
The chief additionito the revenue is
expected from the increase OF the sugar
duties. From thisssource alone an add.
tional revenue Of about $270OO,OOO is an.
ticipated by Chairman DINGHY.
The specific duties levied prevent un.
der valuations on which the trust has
thrived The difFerential, formerly equiv
alent, open and concealed, to third OF q
cent a pound, or more is now brought
down TO an eighth OF a cent.
In taking larger sum than formerl,
from the consumers OF sugar the com
mittee has endeavored to build up al