New-York tribune., 1903-01-14
FREE COAL FOR A YEAR.
RELIEF BILL PREPARED.
Prompt Passage by the House and
Senate Expected.
JBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I ]

Washington, Jan. 13.-The bill forecasted in
The Tribune this morning, providing that all
the duty collected on coal imported into this
country for the next year shall be refunded, was
launched the road to speedy passage in Con-
gress to-day. The day begun by discus
sion on coal at the White House. Chairman
Payne of the Ways and Means Committee. in
company with Representatives Dalzel and Gros-
venor of the Committee on Rules, were Presi-
dent Roosevelts first callers The rebate plan
was laid before him and received his hearty ap
proval. A meeting of the Ways and Means
Committee then called and also one of the
Committee Rules. From the former came
favorable report the rebate BILL and from
the latter rule for its consideration in the
House tomorrow. Debate of one and one-half
hours on side will be allowed, when vote will
be taken without opportunity for amendment.
In this relief measure the Democrats on the
Ways and Means Committee concurred This
concurrence was not given, however. until after
a test vote had been taken to amend the bill
by abolishng the tariff on coal, which PROPOSE
ton was defeated. The Democrats moved to
make the rebate plan apply indefinitely as to
time and were again defeated The relief meas
ure was then reported, the entire committee
voting in it's favor
This meeting of the committee was the first
this session at which there has been any tariff
discussion and the Republicans had agreed on
the measure before the Democratic members of
the committee were invited to attend the meet
ing. At the preliminary meeting representa-
tive Mccall, of Massachusetts, proposed that the
bill carry clause admitting free of duty for all
time coal from countries which now admit our
coal free. This plan concurred in by KEEP
resentative Tawney of Minnesota, bat was op-
posed by other members on the ground that the
bill was a temporary relief measure
The bill was reported to the House in the
afternoon oy Mr.. Payne, who gave notice that
he would call it up tomorrow for consideration
1t is known that Senator Aldrich has also given
his Endorsement to the measure. anG viii make
il the special subject of consideration by the
Finance Committee of the Senate as it
reaches that body. The Senator is believed to
be particularly desirous of combating the vest
resolution for free coal, with a temporary rellef
measure of this character. After the SdJourn-
ment of the Senate to-day the Republican mem
bers of the Committee on Finance held a con-
ference on the various resolutions Defore the
Senate for the removal OF the tarl1f on coal
They had before them the text of the House DILL
and practically agreed to accept 1T without
alteration if the Democratic committeeman
could be induced to allow it to he reported
without delay. The opinion was unanimous
that the situation calls for prompt action. and
the Senate committee will be called together,
perhaps tomorrow afternoon. Immediately after
the House passes the bill.
The report submitted to the House by Chair
man Payne, after recommending the passage
of the bill. says:
This is an emergency measure demanded be-
cause of the scarcity and high price of coal re-
sulting from the recent prolonged strike IN the
anthracite coal mines. Precsderts Tor such
legislation are found in the Chicago fire and the
fire at PASSPORT. Me. In these cases Congress
rebated the duty on lumber used IN repuIldiins
in the burned districts. Whether the legislation
will increase the Importation or reduce the
price of coal is question on which men ol oluer-
But il is all Congress can do in the premises,
and will satisfy the demand OF many OF our
citizens While there is threatened coaI
famine in any part of the country we cahho'
tIrn a deaf ear to the cry of the people
The committee did not consider 1t pest 10
make any changes in the tariff on coal alteI
the period of year had expired p preIerrlhS
to bring in this as a purely emergency meaSul =,
and not desiring 10 go into the question OF taTlI
revision upon this one article II any re-
lief can come to the people from such Ieglsl2-
ton it will be amply secured in the period pro-
vided for in the BILL
The subject OF coal opened the discussion IN
the Senate to-day and action was taken en-
iars,inr the authority of Senator Stewart s
special investigating committee, by giving IL
power to send for persons and papers, ad1nln-
lister oaths and compel the attendance or VIII
nesses The questions asked at this lnEestlGa-
tioD are undoubtedly aimed at developing the
truth of alterations that there is collusion be-
tween the coal roads and the Independent op-
orators and that the roads are fixing d low
price for coal furnishing only a small amount
at that price and then selling their surplus to
the indeDenGent operators, who get all the mar
ket will pay and divide the profits
A somewhat similar investigation authorized
nv the House will begin at once before the
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries
and will deal particularly with the subject of
Transportation of coal