New-York tribune., 1909-03-19
CRITICISE TARIFF BILL
SOME PROFESSIONS MADE
TARGET At CAPITOL.
Measure Generally PleaSes RepubH-
can CongreSsmen-SectionaI BuSl-
ness Demands 4fect Opinions.
From The Tribune Bureau ]


Washington March 1S-Immediately after the
House convened to-day Representative Serene
E Payne chairman Of the Committee on Ways
and Means. reported back the tariff bill without
amendment. as had previously been decided by
the full committee by vote OF 13 70 6. Repre-
sentative Broussard. Of Louisiana. voting with
the Republicans. The minority OF the committee
have until Tuesday to prepare report.
The numerous howls Of protest which could be
heard on all sides at the Capitol to-day showed
that many member of Congress burned the
midnight oil in studying the tariff bill Yester-
day practically everybody seemed satisfied with
the labor of the Ways and Means Committee,
but to-day scarcely any one could be met who
did not have some complaint or some sugges-
ton 70 make. The Democrats seemed 10 have
spent the night in attempt TO discover 'jok-
ers'' in the measure. and although they insist
that they have found many iniquitous provi-
sions they have thus far advanced no criticisms
which do not emanate from purely local disap-
pointments Many Republicans. too. are an
nouncing their intention OF trying to have the
bill changed in numerous ways The most fire.
quent answer to the question, How did the
tariff bill suit you?" is We'll. the whole il is
satisfactory to me- but there are several pro-
visions which must he changed" Then follows
a series Of reasons why lumber should be in
creased decreased. or why barytes should be
dutiable etc.
The most serious complaint. and which
promises to cause long argument, is the action
of the committee placing hides on the free list.
The Middle West and some of the Far Western
Representatives have agreed that they will
fight to the last ditch TO have the duty restored.
and to this end they have made a combination
with the men who desire the duty on lumber
retained An effort is being made to have
Representative Walter / Smith. OF Iowa. lead
these combined forces in the struggle. but late
to-day he had not made up his mind whether
he would assume the responsibility. or whether
he would prefer to remain in the ranks 1t Is
thought that, in view of his recent appointment
10 the Rules Committee he will make the pas
sage Of the tariff bill easy possible. II IS
certain, however. that the lumber hides combi-
nation will do its utmost to change the pro
visions Of the bill on those commodities The
Minnesota Republicans have decided TO fight for
free lumber and Representative Stevens. Of that
state. has already Informed the committee that
no matter what rules framed for the con-
sideration of the bill, he will demand vote on
the lumber schedule.
NEW WORKERS OPPOSE TEA TAX.
Thus far little complaint has been heard from
the New York delegation. The New York CITY
members are opposed TO the tax on tea. and IN
this they have the support of a strong sent-
ment in the House. They will. however. do
nothing more than voice protest and vote
against the proposition if they have an oppor-
tunitv to do so. Some of them. including Repre-
sentative Hamilton Fish. of the opinion that
IT would be wiser TO increase the tax on beer
and whiskey than that on tea.
The inheritance tax proposal does not please
the New Workers. as a rule. They point out that
with the state law in operation New Workers
ad IN a on this
point they are likely to join with the New Eng
land delegations in protest, but in view OF the
support which this proposal has received from
President Taft, II is understood that no uh-
usual forts will he made to defeat It,
Tullio Iarrinaga, the resident commissioners
from Porto Rico is much perturbed because
tax was not placed coffee. He declares that
the counteryailing duty clause, which Is aimed
at Rrazii will not help Porto Rico to an ap-
nreciabIe extent. He claims that the Brazilian
coffee growers have great advantage over
those in his country because of their experience
and the favorable soil. and that unless tax is