The Washington herald., 1909-04-16

consideration Of the measure yesterday.
but II was returned 10 the House ny
special order so the oil joker could be
corrected so as not to impose a duty on
all the products Of petroleum. The ex-
tension OF time viii also give the DEM
ocrats time TO look more carefully into
the bill and to be ready 20 discuss II IN
telligently when II is taken up.
There was a meeting OF the fuh com
mittee yesterday just before the Senate
convened, but the bin was not discussed,
except in a general way. The Democrats
are stin complaining that they have not
been given sufficient time 70 study the
various provisions. and II was partly On
this account that IL was agreed to ad-
jousn until next week.
During the snort session OF the Senate
Yesterday. Senator Cummins introduced
his amendments, providing for reciprocal
ARRANGEMENTS between the United States
and certain other countries The various
changes are planned after The Ike pro-
visions of the Dingley and Mckinley acts
although they are considered much broad
err 1t gives the President power 70 sus-
pend the duties imposed by the tarin law
against any country that unreasonaoly
discriminates against the United states,
and TO impose duties ranging from 20 to
30 per cent higher. He also is given the
power to suspend the duties and impose
rates as much as 20 per cent lower than
is provided by law.
Discuss Administrative Features.
Late in the afternoon Senator Aldrich
held a conference with James B. Rey-
nolds about lie administrative features Of
the bin, which viii first be approved by
the President and the Attorney General
and reported to the Senate some time the
last Of next week Mr. Reynolds simply
wanted 20 get the general ideas OF the
provisions, as Mr.. Aldrich would prepare
In rough draft. so that he would be in
a better position TO begin his criticisms.
Senator Aldrich said last night that he
thought the administrative features would
be ready TO report within ten days. and
that the Senate would not be required to
wait after IL had finished the other two
sections Of the measure.
Criticisms that the Aldrich bin would
not produce revenues sufficient to pay
the expenses of the government still are
pouring into the Finance Committee room
from all parts Of the country. Senator
Aldrich and his colleagues on the COM
mittee seem not the least worried about
these accusations. and say they are moth
ing but political complaints
the Rhode Island Senator are not likely
TO accept the statement that he would
prepare a bill that would fall short Of
revenues; on the ether hand. there are
many who contend that this was his chief
object in redrafting the Payne bill.
Senator Aldrich was in constant COM
munication with the officials Of the Treas
ury during the time he was writing the
new sections Of the House BILL and he
says he is thoroughly satisfied there will
not be a shortage in the accounts OF the
government If his measure is allowed TO
pass as il is.
That the measure carefully avoids all
internal revenue features Is another point
some make in favor OF the Aldrich bill
as a revenue producer. II seems 70 have
been his plan. Congressman say, 10 make
foreign manufacturers and producers pay
the expenses Of the government, and that
he has. therefore. left ont all provisions
for taxes upon the people of the United
States. that is. so far as income. in
heritance, stamp taxes, &c, are con-
cerned.
OIL Producers Want Tax.
Independent operators from every oil
field in the country Will be given a hear
ing by the Senate Finance Committee
next Thursday.
It is expected that there viii be fully
100 present. They demand that an ad
valorem tax Of 80 or 80 per cent shall be
placed upon imported crude oil
They assert that free oil, as provided in
the pending tariff bill. IS a direct benefit
10 the Standard Oh Company. and a blow
at all the independents. They say that
the Standard produces only about one
I Of p all fr
try. it's principal business being in rcfin-
/ ing. II It can get crude OF free from
abroad il win be a decided advantage 10
that company. and at least partially
/ destroy the market for the output OF the
fndepnndents