The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-07
Times-Dispatch Bureau.
Munsey Building,
WASHINGTON. D. C.. June 6.

| Persons who wish the tariff reduced
| on specific articles should heed no
tees now being sent out by members
of the Ways and Means Committee,
which was authorized by the House
| of Representatives to sit during the
vacation of Congress for the purpose
of considering the matter
! Although Chairman Payne said there
would be no sessions of the committee
| this summer. members are now sending
out notices to their constituents to the
effect that hearings will begin at an
early date, and that they desire to
study the subject of tariff revision
with all the Information possible be-
fore them. To that end it Is suggest
ed that citizens who are especially in
terested in the subject appear before
the committee or submit such informa-
tion as they may possess.
The notice states that it Is not at all
necessary for individuals to appear i'll
person. IT will answer the purpose i
they forward in writing such facts as
they may have, tending to show wheth-
or duties should be changed--tlaat Is.
made higher OF lower.
In the notices he>is sending out, one
member of the committee suggests that
1t would be wise, in case it is desired
to have certain Interests represented
before the committee. either in advo-
cacy of a reduction or an increase or
tariff duties. if such representative
be man Interested in the particular
business or industry affected by the
existing tariff.
Representative Needham. of Califor-
mia who is member of the commit
tee declared recently that an effort
might be made to have the duty on
citrous fruit, including oranges, grape
| fruit and lemons, increased, instead OF
| reduced.
! II is probable that many lemons
Will be distributed by the committee TO
the advocates of tariff reduction, AS
/ a matter of fact the liberality of Com
| gress IN. appropr.ating money at the
| session lust ended makes it difficult to
! see how there can be made great re-
| duction in tariff duties without further
! embarrassing the national Treasury,
| which Is now within two months Of a
! deficit. OF course, where tariff duties
1 are now 80 high S absolutely to pro-
hibit impor,atlons. reduction of duty
would increase receipts from that par
ticular subject. and there may pos
sibly DO a reduction in duties on ar
4 ticles now imported sufficient to stimu-
late inportations, and thus increase
the total of customs receipts from i'm
portation Of that particular article
This Is onesof the theories with which
the revisionists Will have to wrestle
II is understood TO be the Republi-
can program TO call an extra session
OF Congress about the 18th of March
The extra session would he devoted t.
consideration OF new tariff bill. 1,
), has been said that in case Mr.. Bryar
should be elected to the presidency
President Roosevelt will call an ex.
traordinarY session Immediately after
the election in order to give some timt
for the consideration of the bill re
vising the tariff. OF course 1t Is no
1. expected that the hearings of the com
! mittee will result in any radical re
: Congress Will enact any law which
will work fundamental changes in tn
!, present tariff schedules.
= The Republican membership Of til
Ways and Means Committee, is strong
II the average of the Democratic mem
bership is rather below that of othe
n cGmmittees of the House, although
!. there arc some able men among tn
! minority.
! Serene Il, Payne, of Nav York, RI
u publican floor leader of the House, an
/. John DalaelI Of Pennsylvania, It'll
high priest of projections" head IL
Republcans Champ Clark OF Missouri
aud Bourke Cochran, Of New York, al
or the senior aud second In rank, y
e. spectiNely, on the Democratic side. I'll
~ full memberships of the committee
az follows;
eel Serene " Payne, of New York; Joi
A palzcl, of Pennsylvania, samuel \
~ mccall, of Massachusetts; Ebenezer
~ Hin OF Connecticut; Henry S, Boute
Of lllinpis n IL
r. ana James G. Needham of cahforni
~ William A. calderhead, Of Kansa
,ff Icseph w fordney, Of Michigan
Is, Joseph II, Gaines. Of West Vlrginl