New-York tribune., 1908-12-04
TARIFF FACTS WANTEL
4NDREU CARNEGIE MAY
BE SUMMONED.
Charges against North To Be
Looked Int0-Committee to Ask
More PO7CPr.
From The Trihuns bureau. !


Washington. Dec. 3.-The Cormittes on Ways
and Means to-day authorized Chairman Payne
to offer resolution in the House when Con-
gress meets Monday which will give the
committee authority to subpoena witnesses for
supplementary tariff hearings. which will be
continued until December ~. This decision was
reached an executive session of the commit
tee, with the object Of obtaining evidence from
those who have criticised the conduct of the
committee but have declined to appear. In this
class will probably be placed James W. Van
Cleave, president Of the National Manufa actur-
ers Association: several editors who have crit
icised the committee on the ground that no
effort to obtain information has been made. and
probably a number of other critics. II is also
considered probable that Andrew Carnegie will
be summoned to appear, his presence is
greatly desired by the members of the commit
tee who are interested in the steel schedule.
Representative BouteI said o-day that he
wanted to get to the bottom of the "wool-top'
duty which was discussed at such length yes
terday, and he will make an effort to have those
subp9naed who have any knowledge of how
that part of the Dingley bill was framed.
Representative Payne said to-day. after the
executive session that while he is anxious To
probe any inconsistencies in the Dingley bill. he
is much more concerned with the drafting of a
new law which will be equitable. and he de
clared that for this purpose he is willing to go
to any length to obtain testimony from those
who say they have information. He announced
that the hearings would he continued at inter
walls until December 10, although it the
original intention TO close them on the 4th and
until that date any who desires TO file
briefs may do The committee will begin
its deliberations on the new bill early next
week, and it is Mr.. Payne's desire to have it
practically prepared to present to the House
at the opening of the extra session
The hearing to-day was devoted entirely to
the wool schedule. Both growers and manu-
facturers asked that the committee stand pat"
The only dissenting note came from A. j. Soils.
commission merchant Of Boston. who asked
that the duty on the product be reduced
from II to cents pound
Representative Bouteu asked Il want 10
know who is responsible for changing that par
agraph in the Mckinley law relating 70 wool
tops. that in the Dingley law there para
graphs which impose duty of .4SO per cent?"
Mr.. Soils said he was not certain who changed
the law, but he had strong suspicion, which
he had expressed when the present Director of
the Census chosen. Mr. Boutell asked him
to name the man, but the witness refused to
answer.
e do nope the tine VIII soon come" ssid
Mr.. Boutell when this committee can ascertain
ali the facts and get at the bottom Of the
charges that are belng maze IN regard 10 tnat
schedule of the Dinsley law
Mrs. Bonnemort. wool grower Of Utah,
was a witness to-day. She is the only woman
who has appeared at the hearings She told Of
the difficulties and hardships If the wool grow
ers of Utah under the Wilson tariff law
That during a Democratic administra-
ton" she said. but are now enjoying the
blessings Of Republican administration, and
We appeal to the honorable men of that party
for protection"
The Republicans enjoyed laugh at the
pense Of the Democratic members. Mrs. Bonne-
mort urged the retention of the present duties
Tomorrow is the last day Of the original
schedule of hearings but Saturday Herbert
Miles chairman of the tariff committee Of the
National Association Of Manufacturers will ap-
pear other witnesses are expected TO appear
on Saturday. and Monday there will be
supplementary hearing the lead schedule
The other hearings will be held days desig-
mated by Chairman Payne It is possible that
hearings viii be held occasionally throughout
the short session Of Congress
The committee had a narrow escape from
violating the copyright law to-day. At yester-
DAYS hearing of the witnesses placed I'm the
record as part of his remarks Andrew Car
negie's recent article the tariff, which was
copyrighted by The Century Magazine II
was not until the printed record of the hearings
reached Mr. PAYNE this morning that he dis
covered the article. He Immediately ordered the
edition suppressed.