The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-06-02

the independent ircn and steel men
that the steel corporation has agreed
to concessions In the rates of the
metal schedule only upon items for
which the corporation is able to COM
pete In any market in the world. 1t
Is also asserted that scme Of the con-
cessions made on these iron and steel
products really are injurious to the
Independent iron and steel compa-
MES.
Those that are best able to stand
the reductions in rates are said to
have indirect or more or less affiliated
relations with the great steel COM
panr.
On the matters still undetermined,
like the rates on pig iron, scrap iron,
and the alloys that are employed for
mixing purposes in the steel trades,
the Independents assert that they are
IN danger of serious injury by having
the rates SO adjusted as to be alto
gether in the interests of the great
steel corporation, rather than any of
It's minor competitors. 1t is asserted
that most of the Independents are
! situated east of the Allegheny noun
tains, and that they should have free
iron ore and the lowest possible rates
on pig iron and scrap iron.
Further Increases Expected,
Free iron ore was denied them by
an overwhelming vote OF the senate,
and there are intimations that the in
creases in the rates made by the SEN
ate bill over the house bill on the
other materials entering into the iron
and steel industry will be still fur
ther Increased before the bill is fin
ished in the senate.
This situation, 1t is claimed, is pro-
duced by the overpowering influences
OF the steel corporation, which has
been able to secure protection for its
ore fields against Cuban ores, and
will now be able to secure protection
against competition for its blast-fur-
mace products. Many of the independ-
ent operatives are. constantly in the
market for the furnace products Of
the steel corporation. and are sub
jected to the higher prices of scrap
iron utilized in their operations. The
pressure for increased duties on fer
ro-silicon and kindred alloys is so
strong that the finance committee
shows a disposition to make still fur
ther increases on these products
which enter into steel above the rates
first reported by the committee.
In addition to these iron and steel
problems, the glass schedule is un-
completed, and there are issues in
volved in the question as to finished
lumber rates which the finance COM
mittee members admit they are not
yet able to solve.
1t will be observed that when Sen
ator Aldrich asked for the extension
of time for the consideration of the
income tax amendment he postponed
the date until June 10. That was the
date the chairman fixed for having
the dutiable prcvisicus. Of the bill
settled. If anything like the time al
ready consumed is devoted to woolen
and cotton goods, wood pulp and pa
per, hides and leather, to say nothing
of the important items in the schedule
relating to sundries, the chairman
will be obliged to ask for more than
twenty days extension before consid-
ering the income tax it he insists up
on first completing the provisions of
the bill carrying duties.
None Ventures Prediction.
No member of the finance commit
tee will venture a prediction as ia
the time to be occupied in completing
the maximum tariff provisions and the
remarkable changes made by the
finance committee in the administra-
tive sections, all of which are intend
ed to tighten up the protective fea-
lures of the bill and impose heavy
eXactions upon foreign imports. II
is believed to be practically certain
that at least week will be required
to dispose of these sections of the
bill.
Although Chairman Aldrich and his
associates of the committee claim to
have votes sufficient to carry any de-
sired rates into the bill, they have
come to realize that stubborn resist
ance or disposition to crowd tho
higher duties upon the senate by the
sheer force of numbers only serves
to cause delay.
The downward revisionists among
the Democrats and western Republic
cans are not satisfied with accepting
the situation simply upon the plea
that they are outvoted. They have
declared their determination to pre-
sent the facts regarding increased
rates, and expose to the country the
unwillingness of the trainers of the
bill to make any substantial reduc-
tions below the rates of the present
law, upon every item of the bill over
which such issues are raised.
1t is said that the finance commit
tee recognizes this situation, and is
preparing for an elaborate discussion
of the woolen and cotton goods sched-
ules, with the purpose in view OF
justifying the retention of the existing
duties. and such increases as have
| been recommended.
To this end, it is asserted that
Chairman Aldrich and his lieutenants
Senators Smoot and Flint-will pre-
sent to the senate elaborate argument
fully developing the ideas which have
been advanced by these committee
| mon and summarized Inv Gonatnr IJ.1o