Evening star., 1909-05-11
TARIFF BILL RUSHED
Opportunities to Make Changes
in Proposed Rates Curtailed.
ZINC SCALE is HELD UP
Fifty Per Cent on Scented Soap for
Revenue.
FEW SENATORS IN CHAMBER
Cummins Suggests Reduced Rate on
Earthenware nd Change in
Classification.
ZINC SCALE is HELD UP
FEW SENATORS IN CHAMBER

TWO democratic amendments for the
tariff bill for the purpose of reducing the
duty on various forms of china, porcelain,
earthenware, stoneware and crockery
were defeated in the Senate this after
noon by decisive votes. Senator Bacon
of Georgia offered them and defended
them ON the ground that they would re-
uuce the price of these articles to the con-
sumner and at the same time yield more
revenue. They were opposed by the repub-
licans on the ground that adoption would
destroy these Industries in the United
States.
Mr.. Bacon first proposed to decrease the
duty on the more expensive forms of the
articles mentioned from 60 per cent ad
valorem to 35 per cent. There was par
u vote. all of the republicans voting in
the negative. The amendment was lost,
- to 81.
The Georgia senator then undertook to
reduce the duty on plain white china. etc,
from ~ per cent to 30 per cent ad va
loren. Senator Bristow of Kansas. how
ever. said he would vote in favor of re-
ducing the duty on this class of articles
~ 40 per cent, but thought so per cent
was too low. Mr.. Bristow is one of the
Mr.. Bacon smilingly changed the figure
to 40.
The vote was 81 in the affirmative and
10 In the negative on the amendment of
MIR. Bacon. three republican senators
Bristow, Crawford of South Dakota and
la Toilette of Wisconsn--voting with the
democrats in the affirmative.
As result of an understanding reached
after discussion of the parliamentary
status of the tariff bill, hereafter the Sem
ate. as in committee of the whole, will
finally adopt each paragraph Of the bill
as reached, unless passed over by agree
ment.
No further opportunity will be had to
amend the measure until 1t has reached
the parliamentary status of being before
the Senate.
AS soon as the bill was taken up by the
Senate today Mr.. Aldrich stated that the
committee on finance would submit to the
Senate a different scale of duties on zinc
ore and products of zinc, and asked that
that schedule, as well as sections unacted
on relating to lead products be passed
over for the present.
The request was conceded. Mr.. Bristow
announced that when the white lead
schedule should be reached he would wish
to be heard on Ii.
The committees amendment striking
out the House duty of one-half of l per
cent per pound on refined nitrate of salt
peter was agreed to. 1t is understood
that the product will be placed on the
free list.
Quorum Is Called In.
Mr. Aldrich then requested an agree
ment to the committee amendment in
creasing the duty on all salts of san
tonin from so cents to 81, stating that
the proposed duty was the rate of both
the Dingley and the German bills.
There were but few senator's present
Mr.. Overnan suggested the absence of
quorum, roll call bringing into the
chamber sixty-one senators.
The section relating to salts of san
tonin was then agreed to as amended.
On motion of Mr.. Aldrich the section
relating to soap amended SO as to
place a duty of so per cent ad valorem
perfumed soap. which, he said. was
for revenue purposes.
The House provision on sulphur was
further amended so as to place crude
sulphur on the free list and to provide
for duty of 81 a ton on refined sui
phur. the present law. and the House
bill providing for a duty of Sc ton.
The section relating to limestone rock
asphalt was at first amended by reducing
fh2 duty 30 per cent under the present
w.
who suggested that perhaps that article
should go on the free list, the paragraph
was temporarily passed over
Mica Passed Over.
The schedule relating to mica was also
passed over. Mr.. Aldrich said the COM
mittee desired to reconsider that para
graph, as II was not now satisfied
whether the duty should be increased
or whether the article should be placed
on the free list.
When the schedules relating to china
and earthenware were reached Mr.. Cum
minis suggested that two-thirds of the
chinaware used In this country i'm
ported. while so per cent of the earthen-
ware used is of domestic manufacture.
lie added that he proposed later TO offer
amendment 10 reduce the rate on
earthenware.
Mr.. Aldrich said that the two articles
had been classified together and given
the same duty since 1Ss.:, even the Wilson
bill making no change III the classica-
ton
Bacon's Amendment Defeated.
Speaking in favor of reduction of the
duties stone and earthenware as a
means Of giving the people generally
cheaper goods cf that kind. Mr. Bacon
offered an amendment reducing the rate
from "a to - per cent ad valorem.
Stating that this industry exemplitied
tie best influence of the protective tariff
system by encouraging home production
while at the same time being submitted .
a leNely competition from abroad. Mr..
BuliVer said hc would vote against the
proposed decrease of duty.
MIR. Aldrich stated that the revenues re-
ceived from the china and earthenware
schedules is SJoou,.sa. the importation,
amounting To S.tOO01.
Mr.. Bacou's amendment was defeated
hy vote of ~ to ~. Senator La Toilette
ben. the only republican who voted in
tire affirmative with the democrats.
Actor Escapes Jury Duty by Old Law
LONDON. May i1.-An actor who was
summoned today To serve jury made
the successful plea that under the la "
lie was rogue and vagabond" and
therefore, ineligible. In support OF his
contention he produced an old act OF
parliament which never has been repeal
e.. The surprised Judge hastily perused
the act and had to admit that the actor
Was not qualined TO sit on a jury.