The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-09
CANNOT AGREE
ON THE TARIFF
Philippine Rates Discussed
in Committee.
SEVERAL PLANS SUBMITTED
House Ways and Means Members
Renew Debate this Afternoon.
Secretary Root CaHed In.
Modification Likely.

Decided division Of opinion marked the
first important meeting OF the Republican
members Of the Ways and Means Com
mittse which was held this morning. The
committee has under consideration the
Philippine tariff, which the Adrainistra-
tion leaders are anxious to have reported
and passed as soon as possible.
Plan Of Republicans.
The general plan which the Republican
members have thought is best TO act
upon Is to apply the DingIey rates upon
goods imported from the Philippine Isl
auds into the United States and the rates
fixed by the Philippine Commission and
promulgated by order OF the Secretary
Of War upon goods imported from the
United States into the islands. This
scheme is proposed for q temporary tar
if measure with the idea that the pro
visions shall be amended from time 10
time as experience and the best interests
OF the islands and the protection OF home
industries may demand
Meets With Opposition.
This proposition. however. does not
meet with the full appreciation Of all Of
the majority members 1t least three of
the Republican members are said to ad-
vOcate a reduction OF 10 10 % per cent
on the DingIey schedules on goods in
ported from the Philippines and a SINH
lar cut in the Commissions rates on i'm
portations into the islands from the
vor q horizontal lowering Of both sched-
uIes- This plan the high tariff men are
said to oppose
Modified DiuEicy Rates.
Other members favcr the imposition Of
the DiEgIey rates with certain mcdfdca-
ticns II the lire Of reciprocal agreements
At present the United States has but
small proportion CT The commerce Of the
islands, ara these members believe that
concessions should be made which would
encourage and increase trade between this
country and its irsuIar possessions il
the East
Representative MetcaIf CT California.
the new member of the committee. is
extremely anxious TO have a tariff law
enacted which, while protecting Coast
industries from the cheap Filipino labor,
viii yet augment the volume of trade
between the States and the islands.
Adjourned Without Agreeing.
After remaining in session fer two
hours discussing the subject this morning,
the committee adjourned until O'Clock
without reaching any agreement or taking
any vote
Secretary Root appears.
Upon reassembIing Secretary Root ap-
peared before the committee at the re-
quest Of the members for the purpose OF
some of the provisions of the
Philippine Commissions tariff and its
AS soon as an agreement is reached
among the Republican members a meet
ing of the full committee will be called
for the purpose Of reporting the bill.
Democrats 10 Confer.
The Democrats viii hold a conference
tomorrow morning to consider what their
attitude shall be il respect to the Philip
pine tariff There are six Democrats on
the committee, and as they may natural
ly be expected to vote for low tariff If
three of the Republican members insist
upon a reduction of 15 or 25 per cent of
the present rates there Is trouble ahead
for the high tariff men.
Majority of DiSsenters.
SIX Democrats and three Republicans
would constitute majority of the com
mittee. The present indications. there
fore, are that there viii be some modif-
cation of both the Dingley schedules and
the Philippine Commissions rates.