Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-03-12
TOday's Telegraphic News
The Tariff Bill.

The Iertff Bill.
Washington, ID. O., March II. War
taxes and an Issue OF bonds are promised
developments in government finances
next summer. Information from high
iurce is to the effect that the Treasury
is 10 no better condition than 1t was a,
the time when President Cleveland was
obliged to make bond issue in order to
meet the currsut expenses of the govern
meut. The House ways sud means COM
mittse has decided to add most Of the
wsr lakes Of 1898 and some new ones 10
the tariff bill, but it seems doubtful
whether the additional revenue provided
will meet the tremendous needs OF the
government. 1t seems particularly cei-
tain that this revenue will not be avail
able for the Immediate needs of the
Treasury and that supply Of money
must come from another source. 1t is
asserted that claims sgsinst the govern
ment to the amount Of $50, 600, 900 have
accumulated within the past two or three
months, payment having been delayed
on account of shortage 10 cash. Ex-
Seer, t5ry Oorlelyou is credited With hsv-
ing beea burdentd by the fear for the
last three months of mis- term that bonds
would have to be issued during his term
of Office. 1t with great relief that be
turned bis Office over to bis successor
without having been obliged TO oficiate
in mouey raising enterprise.
There are two way open to the admin.
istrstion TO raise money without seton
By Congress. An existing laE authori-
yes The issue % $50, 900, 900 worth Of
Panama caral ouds. An act passed 10
1898 tc pfovi war emergencies, au-
thorzed the issae of certificates of in
debtedness carrying 8 per cent. interest.
The use of this privilege was not rend-
cred necessary during the war. During
The paoic of 1907, however, number OF
certificates we're issued for a period OF
sixty days 10 tide over the emergency.
Il Is stated that il the pending claims
against the government were paid the
balance in the treasury would be less
that the amount on band when Grover
Cleveland made his famous bond issue,
10 its efforts to supply the government
revenue, the ways aud means committee
hes provided that ABOUT $65, 900, 900 or
SIC, 900, 900 be raised By special t0xa-
ton and the balance needed will, it is
expected, be provided by the customs
revenue. S me of this revenue, how
ever, will bs slow in coming into the
treasury.
As the bill now stands, for instance,
it provides = tax OF four cents pound on
coffee, which is considered to be good
for $40, 900, 900 q year. 1t Is we'll I'M
dersloOd, however, that q year or two
must elspse before the treasury profits
from this tax. Immense stocks of coffee
in Brazil aud Europe will be brought
into this country while coffee is still on
the free list aud before the new tariff
takes effect. To lesser extent the
same is true OF tea, on which, according
to reports st the Capitol, it is proposed
to raise about 1000 600 year.
1t is stated that other taxes to be
levied by the bill as reported to the
House Will be "a increase of from $25
to $50 on licenses for retail liquor deal
ers, taxes on bank checks, property
transfers, cigarettes aud on inheritances.
A rise of 80 cents per barrel may also
be made 90 the lax on beer.
Iron ere, on which the DiDgley bill
placed tariff OF 4Octs. per ton, Is TO be
placed on the free list. The importa-
lions of ore in 1907 amounted to 5l1,-
900 tons, on which the government re-
ceived revenue Of little over $780,
900. This amount will be saved 10 the
iron masters sud the importation will be
largely increased, A finish fight Is be-
ing made by the lumber men to get bet
ter terms than the committee has voted
to give them. AS it stands, the bill
makes tariff on rough lumber 81 per
thousand feet and leaves the Dingley
rates on manufactures of wood The
Dingley rate on lumber was 81, and the
lumber men are striving earnestly to get
q rate OF at least 81 30.
There was no particular contest over wool
because il interests such a great number Of
farmers. The only changes that have been
made have been to arrange the rates on
different classes Of wool so as 10 make them
Uniform. feveral inequalities having been
developed in the practical operation of the
DiDgley law.
The meat trust and the stock men will de-
pend upon the Senate TO restore the tariff on
hides, which has been removed by the House
committee.
1t is said that the bill will show an increase
in the tariff on pottery that will be accom-
plished by either increasing the rate or By
improving the method Of getting the true
valuation of imports. The tariff will be raised
on window glass and reduced on plate glass
The rate on rails, it is stated, will be reduced
from s. to $3.50 and other steel products in
A prominent member of the Senate pre-
dicted today that consideration Of the bill
WOuld oecuDy three weeks time in the House