Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-24
NAY GUT A[A1 DI)||[S
Congress May Take Steps to
Curtail Privileges OF the
Big Packers.
Tariffs on Meats May Be Re.
duced and in Some Cases
Abolished.
Something About the Dingley
Duties.-Political Aspect Of
the Question.

| taken III the mouse yesterday LOOKING TO
some curtailment of the privileges of
the alleged beef trust, and IT is hoped
by members generally that sooner or
later some measure of relief will be
| agreed upon by congress.
Mr.. McDermott of New Jersey offered
q resolution to abolish all duties on
meat and poultry imported from for
eign countries. The terms of his reso-
luton were extremely simple. mas
much as the text provides only that
on and after the passage of this act
there shall not be levied or collected
any duty upon meat of any kind or up
on live or dressed poultry imported
from foreign countries
In line with this resolution was the
one offered by hIr Richardson of Ten
nessee, which recites the fact that
there has recently been an unusual in
crease in the price Of beef. mutton. veal
and pork, which is abnormal and due
largely il not altogether to trusts and
other combinations alleged to be un-
lawful in their organizations.'
These two resolutions express SEN
timent which lis general in The house
that congress should take some action
to put stop to the advance in the
price of meat products. Many of the
members of both sides of the house are
particularly favorable to the idea of
wiping out the duties on meat products
as provided for in the bin introduced
by Mr.. McDerrott
There is fear, however, on the part
of large number of republicans, en-
bracing most OF the leaders of the
house. that any attempt to revise the
tariff would provoke perfect flood of
and precipitate the tariff
discussion which the business interests
are determined to avoid. If the tariff
on meat products could be abolished
without any possibility Of reducing the
customs rates on many other articles
there is little question that something
like the McDermott resolution could
readily be passed thru the house.
Under the Dingley law there is tar
III of cents per pound on bacon and
hams, cents per pound on fresh beef, |
veal. mutton and pork, 20 per cent adj |
on prepared or preserved /
meats, 80 cents per pound on extracts |
of meats. Is cents on fluid extract, Q !
cents per pound on lard, cents per
pound on live poultry, and cents per
pound on dressed poultry. The reduc-
ton or abolition of the duty on meat |
products and poultry would undoubt-
eddy open the way for a reduction in
prices as the result of extensive and I
importations from the do
ninion of Canada.
Two years ago it was estimated that
he dominion Of Canada was exporting
% Great Britain alone the enormous
amount of 100000 pounds of dressed
poultry. The exporters kill and dress
he chickens for the Liverpool, Man
hester, London. Bristol and other mar
sets instead OF to New York and Bos-
on as in former years, the change be-
ng attributed to the tariff now levied
~ the United States.
The official figures show that during
he fiscal year ending In 1900 the do
ninion of Canada exported no less
han $47s48,491 worth of animals and
heir produce, The representatives Of
he beef men have all along claimed
nat the n1SE price Oh Aledt HOW 10 LIE
onsumer was due entirely to the ex-
high price of cattle on the
oof In view Of this fact resolutions /
rill be submitted to congress providing Ia
or an abolition of the duty on live cat /
lie. Ia
The Ding1ey tariff amounts to 81 per &
cad on cattle. less than ] year old. and /
3.75 per head on those over / year and i
OF valued at more than $14, while on /,
attic valued at more than $14 the rate 9
275s per cert ad valorem. +
Hogs have to pay $3.50 per head, and !
heep under i year old are taxed - h
ants per head, and over that age $3.50. +
Both of the resolutions adopted yes
.rday were presented by democrats, =
nd were probably intended to procure :
ome political advantage, so the repub- {
cans will not vote for these particular :
,easures. There is strong sentiment
! congress, however, In favor of some :
adical action, and the political leaders :.
the republicans are particularly anx- !.
,us to do something, because they fear =
the present high prices are continued :
1ruout the summer the next house
ill inevitably be controlled by the
fc