The times., 1901-06-24
TARIFF REVISION VIEWS
No Change in Dingley Bill Sched-
ules Deemed Likely.

| The ImprobabiIity of Legislative
Tinkering Next Winter - Cnndi-
dates for I9o4-Cbnnces of Anti
Trust Action-Pnssing IA Canal Bill
| With perhaps one or two exceptions the
! Eastern Republicans are confident there
! will be no tariff legislation during the
next Congress, Notwithstanding the fact
| that the Republicans in the West are
| daily declaring themselves in favor of the
Babcock bill to place trust-made products
on the free list. Representative e. b.
Vreeland OF New York who is closely in
touch with the Administration leaders
expressed the opinion yesterday that the
Babcock bin amending the metal schedule
of the Dingley tariff act would receive
no consideration whatever at the hands
of the next Congress.
There is no occasion for a tariff re-
vision al this time" said Mr.. Vreeland.
at would be impossible" he added. Ito
single out one schedule for revision with
out taking up others. | do not know that
Mr.. Baboock consulted the leaders before
introducing the bill last session, but If
one member takes the responsibility of
introducing separate tariff bills others
the tariff is sure to unsettle and disturb
the business interests. of the country.
What the business men OF the country
want is to be let alone. While d general
revision of the tariff may become neces-
sary from time to time in keeping with
our commercial progress yet l think the
time for the revision has not yet arrived.
1t is not improbable. however that the
tariff may be considered next December
at a caucus of the Republicans and if
anything is determined 1t will be a
party measure. and not an individual
movement. 1 am rather inclined to the
opinion that instead of revising the tariff
schedules, which would have a depress-
ing effect on our manufacturers. the Ad-
ministration will extend and expand our
reciprocity treaties.
Reciprocity treaties can be negotiated
and put into operation without disturbing
the busint IS interests. And our manufac-
turers are benefited accordingly.
In my district there are a number of
tanneries, and the tanners want hides
placed on the free list. And they should
be on the free list. but when / explained
that the revenue from hides was needed
for war purposes the tanners. who are
patriotic citizens, made no complaint But
tariff schedules then l shall insist on free
hides.
If. as ! say, there should be any tariff
legislation next winter, you may depend
on it that every interest will demand a
hearing and business will suffer accord
ingiy. including the tanners. II l rernem-
Der Alright the tariff on hides was placed
in the Dingley bill at the instance of ex-
Senator PETER of Kansas. Just how it
has benefited the tanners / am unable to
say. l think it a pretty safe guess that
there Will be no tariff legislation next
Congress
Asked to name the most likely man the
Republicans would nominate for Pres-
dent in 1904. Representative Vreeland said
it was too far in advance to discuss Pres
idential candidates. Just now. however,
Governor Odell, in his opinion, had the
call. Governor Odell. he said had made
splendid executive officer. and the rank
and file in New York were with him. The
Governor. he said, would undoubtedly be
renominated ard reelected next year. and
that would make him a formidable can
didate for President in 1894
If the trusts want tariff revision then
here will be tariff revision" remarked
Representative Henry ID. Clayton of Ala
bama, at the Riggs House last evening,
for the Republican party is under last
ing obligations to the trusts. l do not
legislation, and the placing of trust-mad
products on the free list. The Republican
party Is as wise as an ass. and you know
the ass knoweth its masters crib. There
tOre IL ought to be clear enough what
IOhcy the Republicans will pursue in the
coming Congress.
There VIII be very lively session next
water, and the Republicans will give us
plenty of material for issues in the next
see by the leading papers of
the country that the Republicans are
making great outcry against the trusts
and they are threatening all kinds of dire
things. But If they are sincere why do
they not invoke the Sherman Antitrust
law, fer which they claimed so much
credit, and amend IL next ST SsiOn where
II proves ineffective. The truth is the
Republicans have never invoked the Sher-
man Antitrust law, and they never will.
There IS much talk among certain Re |
publicanS about pressing the BabcOck bill,
whether or not 4 is favored by the Ad-
This is very amusing to
those who have watched the course of
prominent 'hckers' in the ranks of the /
usual performance. During the past few |
years in the House il was Of frequent oc- |
but when the crucial time came /
the kickers fell into line and voted as one |
man
Il remember when Representative Hep |
burn of Iowa loudly protested against |
the Reed rules and everybody on the out |
side thought he would break over the |
traces with his following. But he fooled /
them, and when the time came he lined |
up with the rest of his party and stood |
loyally by the majority And it will be |
this way on the tariff
Mr.. Clayton, speaking of the Nicaragua |
Canal bill. expressed the opinion that the |
Republicans would pass It through the |
House for party purposes, knowing that |