Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-14
DRAWBACKS ON WHEAT
Senator Hansbrough Opposes
Treasury Action.
SPEAKS FOR FARMERS
CLAIMS THAT PRICE OF DOMES-
TIC PRODUCT rs LEssENED.
Senator Patterson Declares That the
Similar Operation of the Law.

Immediately after the Senate convened
today the agricultural appropriation bill
was taken up, the Hansbrough amend
ment intended to be a Legislative in
depreciation of the portions of the Ding
ley law relating to the duty on wheat
being first considered. 1t declares that
paragraph 234 of that act. which imposes
a specific duty on wheat, shall not be
held to be affected by the provisions of
section 80 of the same act which pro-
vides for drawback on imported articles
used in domestic manufacture.
Mr.. Hansbrough spoke in support of
the amendment going infinitely into the
legislation and the decision of the Attor-
ney General, which, in his view, made
necessary the amendment.
He contended that the decision allowing
drawback on imported wheat was wrong
because the portion of flour made from
such wheat could not be distinguished from
that made of the domestic product as he
argued was necessary under the drawback
provision He said the opinion would be
far reaching extending to all articles used
IN manufacture.
Effect Of Drawbacks.
we hear much about tariff revision
Mr. Hansbrough remarked, but if the
practice of the Treasury Department in
accordance with this decision is to go on,
such revision will be unnecessary, because
the Treasury Department will make it's
own revision
Coming to the specific matter in question
he said that the price paid for. Imported
wheat would fix the price of the entire
wheat product of the United States.
Mr.. Patterson made inquiry as to whether
the amendment would affect wheat only,
and while Mr.. Hansbrough answered in the
affirmative, Mr. Allison took the opposite
a trl1rt iHa1H
affect all industries using imported articles
Mr.. Patterson expressed the opinion that
the Interpretation should be general and
Mr.. Hepburn expressed sympathy with that
view, saying that the lead mine owners
especially need relief. He asserted that the 1
opinion OF Former Attorney General Griggs
on importations of lead had worked the in
direct repeal of the duty on lead ore
Mr.. Hansbrough said that the fact that
wheat grown in the United States was pro-
tected had had the effect of making the
price of wheat in this country worth from
II to 20 cents per bushel more than Cana
dian wheat, and he predicted that the prac-
tice in conformity with the recent decision
would have the effect of lowering the price
of American wheat while it increased the
price of the Canadian article.
Duty Practically Abolished.
Mr.. Patterson contended that Mr.. Olney's
construction of the law in connection with
the importation of ores had been correct,
He said that the smelter trust owns extern
sive lead mines in Mexico and that under
the Griggs decision reversing Mr.. Olney the
Mexican lead is imported practically free
of duty. The effect is to enable the trust |
to absolutely control the smelling industry
to the extent of driving independent smelt-
ers out OF existence and doing great injury
to their entire mining communities.
They control the freight rates on ores,
too Mr.. Hepburn interrupted to say
Mr.. McCumber supported the Hansbrough |
saying the effect of the de- |
cision is to establish free trade and to bring
the price of American wheat to the Ca |
madam level.
Mr.. Pettus made the point that the !
amendment was out of order but the point |
was not sustained. He remarked, however |
that the effect of the drawback was to de- |
fraud the farmers and rob the United |
States treasury of it's dues.
An amendment suggested by Mr.. Allison |
out the portion constituting the in |
tention of the Dingley law and combining it |!
to the operation of the law, was accepted. !,
will the Senator who had much to do |
with framing the law say that 1t was in
tended to nullify the provision for a duty |
on wheat?' asked Mr.. HanSbrough.
Intention of the Law.
Mr. Allison replied by saying that sit was
intended that the drawback feature of the
tariff should be greatly enlarged" He add
ed that the drawback privilege had had the
erect or greatly charging our manufacture
ing exports. He was willing that the wheat
growers should have the relief sought, but
did not want the provision made general.
Mr.. Patterson suggested an amendment to
this amendment providing that mo rebates
made on imports which when blended with
domestic products cannot be mechanically
DR. analytically separated and determined
He said the effect would be to make the pro-
vision applicable to lead ores as well as
wheat.
THE mining industry is as important in
some parts of the country as any other"
Mr.. Patterson said, land all that 1 ask is
that that industry. shall have the benefit
Of the proposed declaration
Mr.. Patterson's amendment was voted
down, but before a vote on the Hans
borough amendment could be reached, the
Senate resumed the trial of Judge SWayne