New-York tribune., 1909-03-08
BIG REDUCTIONS In
NEW TARIFF BILL
STEEL BILLETS SAID TO
BE ON FREE LIST.
Cut Made Throughout Iron Sched-
uIe-Leather Duty Reduced
Also That on WOOd Pulp.

Washington. March THE Ways and Means
Committee OF the House has completed the draft
of the tariff bill. and to-day the frst printed
copies were placed in the hands Of members OF
the committee. Each member is sworn to
secrecy. so that only a few Of the more i'm
pOrtant provisions now be outlined A cut
has been made throughout the iron schedule.
and steel bflIets it is understood. have been
placed on the free list Duty on leather has been
reduced, as has the duty wOollens and win
dow glass. There will be material increase IN
rates in the pottery schedule. especially IN re-
gard TO the better grades. and the bill as drawn.
it is understood. viii place lumber on the fres
list. although il Is admitted that there probably
will be a compromise whereby a duty OF 81 a
thousand feet Will be imposed on this article.
Whatever compromise is effected the duties on
wood pulp will be greatly reduced or entirely
abolished If wood pulp is not placed on the
free list it Will occasion prolonged fight on the
floor in view Of the report made by the special
Mann committee which Speaker Cannon ap-
pointed to investigate this subject
The Democrats made a hard struggle to get up
a substitute bill behind which they could unite,
but failed to reach any agreement because Of the
multifarious interests they sought to protect and
of their usual inability to effect workable COM
promises.
The greatest interest attaches to the attitude
Of the Republican leaders Of the Senate. It IS
understood that they considering putting
every article in which SOutherners are inter-
ested on the free list. so as TO have sufficient
leverage to bring them into line on the schedules
which the Republicans wish to maintain. and for
political reasons that they wish to force Demo-
Gratis TO advocate higher schedules in open de-
bate. OF course. the absence OF any cIoture rule
in the Senate makes the task Of the leaders
doubIy difficult
Senator AIdrch has accepted the task Of get
ting the younger Republicans into line, so that
they will stand solidIy behind the bill reported
by the Finance Committee With the exception
Of Senator Cummns. Mr.. Aldrich expects to
encounter little difficulty in this respect.
The House tariff bill is 10 be submitted 70 the
President within a day or two so that hs viii
be in position to appreciate its progress and
the difficulties Of the work and to understand
the lines along which the Republican leaders
are working
There is keen rivalry among members Of thu
House for appointments to I'LL the three exist
/ ing vacancies on the Ways and Means Commit
tee. The one vacancy in the Republican mem
bership. made by the expiration Of the term
of Representative Bonynge. OF Colorado viii IN
all probability be filed by a member from 4
Western state. Representatives Howell. OF Utah:
Burke and Martin. Of South Dakota and Cush-
man. Of Washington. have been suggested
Francis Burton Harrison. Of New York al
although having served only one term in Con-
gress. is most prominently spoken OF 70 I'LL the
vacancy in the minority membership Of the COM
mittee. caused by the retirement OF BourEs
Cochran. Of NeN York. 1t is understood that
Serene Payne. chairman Of the committee. favOrs
Ny. Harrison's appointment. but Champ Clark.
minority leader. has declared that he viii not
give committee appointments any consideration
until the fight on the rules has been settled
REPRESENTATIVE William Sulzer, OF New York.
who has served IN seven Congresses. is also .
,rorninenr candidate for Mr.. Cockran's place.
No mention has been made Of any candidates
for the vacancy caused by the death of Repre-
sentative Granger Democrat. OF Rhode Islands
but il is believed that Democrat from New
England Will get the place 1t is generally De-
Ifeved that Representative De Almond viii sue
ceed Representative Clark on the committee, as
tho latter will disDIace Mr.. De Almond the
F21,IaS Committee.