Evening star., 1900-11-28
Conference of Republicans on the
Subject Likely.
WAYS And MEANS COMMITTEE
Sessions at the Capitol by Other
Bodies.
THE NEW A r NJ Y B l l. l.

There is likely to be a conference of re-
publican representatives in Congress before
the bill for the reduction of the war taxes
is reported to the House from the ways and
means committee. 1t is said that this VIII
he necessitated by the attitude of a num-
Der of republicans toward proposed and de-
sired reductions. The ways and means
committee. it is stated, has been apprised
of the situation and will proceed with de-
liberation. not bringing in the bill until
clear path for it seems assured.
The reported Discrimination of the COM
mittee to consider the demands of the
brewers for a reduction of the war tax on
beer is said to have caused a consolidation
of the efforts of those republican repre-
sentatives who believe that the brewers
should be relieved. 1t is stated upon au-
thorty that there are enough men of this
frame of mind to force consideration of
their demands by the party leaders in the
House.
There is no doubt that the brewers them
selves have lined up for hard fight for a
reduction of taxes and their committees
are now in Washington at work 1t is
learned from sources other than these COM
mittees that they will be assisted material
ly by representatives from different states.
who combining to present a solid front
in pushing their demands for consideration.
Four Committees in Session.
Four committees We're at work at the
Capitol today The military affairs COM
mittee of the House continued its session
and began in earnest its labors upon the
new army bill. The rivers and harbors
committee met at 1 o'clock and continued
its work. The subcommittee of the appro-
priatiOns committee of the House heard
officials of the departments upon the esti-
mates. The ways and means subcommittee
made good progress with the war tax re-
iuction bill.
Secretary Roots Army Bill.
Representative Hull chairman of the
House committee on military affairs was at
The War Department this morning, and had
long conference with Secretary Root, dur
ing which they canvassed the whole field
covered by the question of army reorgani-
zaton. The Secretary explained his own
IDEAS the subject in detail, and promised
to have the draft of his bill before the
House committee at the Capitol this after
noon.
Mr. BabcOck for Ways and Means.
Speaker Henderson has been presented
with formal request from the Wisconsin
delegation in the House to appoint Repre-
sentative Babcock to the vacancy upon the
ways and means committee occasioned by
the retirement of Mr. Dolliver. This re-
quest has been indorsed by many prominent
republicans from other states, and the
Speaker now has the matter under consid-
Grafton.
Mr. Babcock's friends say he is eminently
htted for Il place on the committee. He is
business man, Is we'll posted upon the
industrial conditions of the country and
understands the operations of the tariff and
the needs of the business interests. 1t is
urged by Mr. Babcoclls friends that his
services to the party as the head of the
congressional campaign committee in four
successful campaigns could be recognized
in no better way than by placing him on
the committee on ways and means If ap-
pointed Mr.. Babcock would not give up
his work on the District committee but
would probably retire from the committee
on insuiar affairs.
The Legislative Bill.
Colonel Livingston, the senior democratic
member of the House committee on appro-
priations. today expressed the opinion that
the legislative, executive and judicial bill
would be ready to be reported TO the House
by next Monday. He said that the aggre-
gate of the bill would far exceed that of the
bill as reported to the House at the last
session of Congress