Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-07
THE WINTER PROGRAM
Leaders of Both Houses Find
Themselves in Accord,
NO EX IRA SESSION
ALL THE BIG MEN HAVE ADVIS-
ED AGAINST IT.
Difference Of Opinion Regarding Tariff
Revision and Reciprocity-The
Treatment of Filipinos.
BY VIM. E. CURTIS.

Treatment of Filipinos.
BY VIM. E. CURTIS.
Written for The Evening Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
The men who make the program for Con-
gross have been in conference almost con-
tinually since Saturday, and have made up
their minds concerning several matters that
| have been agitating political circles. Messrs.
Allison, Aldrich, Plat Spooner, Fairbanks
and others on the Senate side find them
selves in accord with Messrs. Cannon,
Payne, Dalzell, Hemenway, Grosvenor, and
others of the House, and what they say
goes. Hence, there will be very little leg
fslation at this session beyond the appro-
priation bills and the bills that have al
ready passed the House. for the benefit of
the Philippine Islands. The disposition OF
both appropriation committees Is decidedly
against general river and harbor BILL or
any large appropriations for public build
ings, because OF threatened deficit in the
treasury, and while that question has not
been definitely settled, the chances are ten
to one against opening what is Familiarity
known as "a barrel O. pork
In the second place, there will be no ex-
ira session unless something unexpected
think it is unnecessary and have advised
against 1t, and against everything that IS
likely to disturb financial and industrial
conditions. They have told the President,
with unusual unanimity, that the country
wants as little legislation and as as little
agitation as possible, and they have ad-
vised him that the doubt and discussion as
to what Congress might do If called in
extra session would certainly excite appre-
hension in business circles and disturb con-
fidence.
Difference as to Tariff Revision.
There is a decided difference Of opinion
as to the advisabi1ity Of tariff revision,
and almost all of the big men are against
it. They argue that the demand for a re-
adjustment is not general, but comes from
spots and individuals that are directly in
terested in the subject; whereas the public
at large, the consumers, the wage-earners,
and particularly the farming community,
representing altogether, at least so and
probably 30 per cent of the population, feel
no burden of taxation and are satisfied
with present conditions. Under these cir
cumstances the directors argue, it is in
expedlent to attempt any revision because,
II the subject is opened and brought be-
lore the Senate and the House, as it must
De, nothing can prevent a general over
hauling of the tariff law and disturbance
of values that will be felt unfavorably by
every merchant and manufacturer in the
Nouhtiy. lHty Ildke the point tlat all
wages and all prices of finished merchan-
disc and, In a large degree, prices of raw
material are based upon the existing rates
OF duty and that the moment changes in
those rates become possible every interest
will be threatened with uncertainty and the
industrial and commercial conditions in
every line OF trade will be unsettled 1t is
admitted that changes in those conditions
are constantly taking place. and have
caused inequalities in several of the sched-
uleS, but the same thing is likely to occur
at any time in any tariff law that may be
adopted, hence, it is inexpedient to at
tenn mere temporary remedy for defects
that are not serious. The danger of OPEN
ing the question, they claim, will be much
greater than any disadvantages that NAV
now exist, and that an agitation and uncer-
t tan OF values Will be much worse than
the inequalities of the present schedules.
1t is believed that it will be altogether
wiser to throw the entire subject over mn
~ the meeting of Congress in December.
100, so that the representatyes-elect NAV
nave year to discover public opinion
several thinking men, from quiet corners.
nave suggested the advantages of an elastic
tarlff, similar to that of France, with three
rates of duty, which may be applied to i'm
ported merchandise, according to the ne.
cesslty OF revenues and fuctuating CONNER.
c1al conditions. but leaders at the Canitol
are In no mood to make innovations. and
VIII not listen to any such suggestions.
Canadian Reciprocity.
There is strong demand for Canadian
reciprocity, but there is an even stronger
opposition, and nothing will be done in that
direction. The manufacturing industries,
the agricultural machinery men, the boot
and shoe makers, the cotton milIers. the
iron and steel industries are almost unanf-
nous in advocating broad reciprocity ar
rangement with our northern nefghbors.
but the gentlemen who raise hay potato
eggs and horses, together with the great
lumber interests and the coal miners will
never agree to the importation of those
classes of merchandise from Canada The
saw mill men would be glad to have free
logs but they are opposed to free lumber,
and likewise every individual interest con-
templates the proposition from it's Gown |
demonstrating the truth of Gen.
1ancock's theory that the tariff is purely |
a local issue. The same objections, all OF |
which arise from the pocket nerve, will pre- |
vent reciprocity with every other country |
Every interest involved is in favor of reci- |
procity treaties, provided the duties on the |
articles they sell are not reduced 1t re- |
minds one of the patriotism of Artemus
Ward, when he rendered the services of all |
Of his first wife's relations to the Union at |
the outbreak Of the civil war. |
Legislation for Philippines.
There seems to be an earnest disposition |
On the part of all concerned to crafty the |
Philippines by liberal legislation, and the |
PRESIDENT has Slmplned matters by asking |
Congress not to attempt to deal with the |
letails of tariff bill at the present session, |
out to intrust the alterations to be made in |
the duties imposed by the Philippine Gus |
oms to the commission which is much bet |
Ter acquainted with--local conditions and |
ocal requirements. He proposes that the |
18th section of the Cooper bill, which has
already passed the House of Representa-
ives, be amended SO that the Philippine
or any succeeded legislature |
shall have power. frAm time to time, to
amend the tariff lfws6f those islands, sub
ect to the approval of the President of the
United States. That is about the wisest
suggestion that has been made in that di-
'ection, and the leading members of Con-
yress are beginning I'd realize that the less
egislation they enact for our little brown
the better it will be for all con-
,erned. generous disposition is manifest
ID all around and unless something occurs
o disturb their equinimity or vex their
ouls both houses will be much more liberal
oward the Filipihos than they have ever
,een before. There is a disposition to give
he officials in thea Philippines greater lib
rty in the management of affairs.
The Presidents Suggestions.
The President has made several otbar r,,o |