New-York tribune., 1908-12-23
FRAMING TARIFF BILL
SUBCOMMITTEE BEGINS
WRITTNG NEW Law.
H7M Discuss Schedules AIphabet-
icGLlg-NOrgQn and Frick Nay
Be Called to Testify.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau :

Washington. Dee. 22--The Republican mem
hers of the Ways and Means Committee began
today the writing OF a new tariff law TO replace
re DInglev bill on the statute books. They be
gan by arranging the order in which the various
schedules ViIl be discussed. and decided to start
n Schedule 4 and continue alphabetically until
re work Is completed. The bin is to be sub
rrirted TO Congress at the special session. which
r Is Understood. Mr.. Taft will call next March
IN order u complete its work in time the sub
committee VIII hold daily meetings behind closed
doors until the new bill has been framed No
tariff revision committee has ever had at its
command SO large fund Of information as the
r-esent committee. and the Individual members
VII facilitate the work by devoting large part
u their tine TO the consideration Of the testi-
r7ony that has been given before the committee
and 10 the perusal Of the numerous reports
available for their use.
The testimony Of W \. G Clark. an expert on
wool who was heard to-day and presented =
mass of figures. ended the scheduled hearings
ard unless Il Is thought wise 10 subpoena Ger
tzir other witnesses no further testimony viii
b. taken Chairman Payne has under consid-
Grafton the names Of several persons who might
throw some light on the mooted rates Among
these : ! ?. Morgan. who several members Of
--e committee think should be asked TO tell
rherhs7 h. knows anything Of an international
1as been hinted at by several witnesses
r M Morgan should be invited to appear be
fore the committee there IS little doubt that he
would improve the opportunity TO plead for the
abolition Of al duty on works Of art This
would Be erninently pleasing TO Representatives
Boutel and Mccall. both of whom believe that
the present duty is ridiculous. Mr. Morgan
would doubt tel the committee that the
Tinted States vas being deprived OF his famous
london collection because OF the exorbitant
duties and that many great pictures owned by
other Americans remained abroad for the same
reason
There = also possibility that Henry c Frick
a-C J5rn Fritz pioneer steel maker. may be
subPGraed.
NJ Pzvre said today that - the lajority OF
the Republican members desired TO hear testi-
-ro-v from auv one else they could Do 50 by
bringing the matter UP a. a meeting. but that
= vas his idea q study the data at hand thor
c-gr-v before the committee decided whether i
Tzs necessary u hold further hearings He
pointed out that the time for drafting the bill
7zs limited and that as II would he necessary
= az II before the House b. March Is no time
should Be wasted
TIE hearing TO-DAY vas adjourned with ex-
r-ssstors II good vii on both sides Of the com
-i-tze- Nj PAYNE thanked his associates for
their faithful attendance al ali the hearings and
Cochran. speaking as the senior
member of The minority. said that the testimony
taken vzs the fullest and fatrest in his -ecoI-
,ec-ion-
TIE testimony Of Andrew Carnegie yesterday. |
which leading Republican member Of the com
--i-ree said to-day proved Of little value as re-
za-6s information. has served only TO strengthen
TIE conviction that duties on steel viii be re-
duced. although the closest observers seem
D
free isL As far specific testimony goes. the /
zr=el manufacturers who are against reduction
are r1e only ones who have presented cost fig
--es but NJ Payne hopes that rre figures OBJ
aimed from the Department OF Commerce and
Labor viii serve dislnterested guide. Briefs !
- any subject viii be received for some tine
7v the committee