The Washington herald., 1909-06-13

With the free list in the tariff bin COM
pleted by the Senate and a number OF
pending amendments to the various open
schedules disposed OF IN a special meet
ing Of the Republican members OF the
Finance Committee. yesterdays sessions
proved the most progressive yet held.
Last evening predictions few fast that
adjournment may be taken this week
So rapid has been the progress Of the
measure during the last week that Sen
ate leaders hope for final vote by sat
urday. Evidently encouraged by the
favorable turn Of events yesterday. when
the free list articles were completed and
adjournment was taken shortly after 2
o'clock. Senator Aldrich surmised that his
fight was over
Aside from the lengthy speech Of Sen
ator Overman at the morning session.
there was nothing in the debate that
compared with the stirring discussion of
he previous days.
Radium on Free List.
One OF the first changes made in the
bin yesterday was the adoption Of a new
amendment putting radium on the free
list Senator TaHaferro. OF Florida. was
It's author and his views expressed in
the interest OF medical science found a
ready second in Senator Aldrich.
The major part Of the debate hinged
upon the question OF free versus pro-
tected art. A number Of Senators Joined
In the spirited and at times humorous
colloquy. which ended when a roll call
defeated Senator Nelson's amendment TO
prevent millionaires from importing free
81 duty large collections purchased abroad
ior their private galleries in this country.
One OF the most important changes
made at the meeting Of the Finance Com
mittee was IN the paragraph relating to
beams and structural steel. when
amounted TO reduction. BY the change
duty OF three-eighths Of a cent pound
Is put upon these products which are
valued at less than SIS a ton, and four
tenths Of one cent a pound is put upon
the same products when valued at more
than SIS a ton.
The duty on boracic acid was increased
from 2 cents TO cents a pound The
window-glass duty was again considered.
and viii probably be given further alter
alton. but the opinion is quite general
among members Of the committee that
Senator McCumber's amendment intro
duced several days ago. will be adopted
as the committee amendment. II gives
a substantial reduction in the grades OF
window-glass. particularly the kind used
in framing pictures.
The duty on barytes. which has been
the subject OF much consideration, was
finally disposed Of by accepting the duty
fixed by the House. namely. $50 per
ton.
May Agree on OIL.
The oil question. which has been ap-
parently settled and then again reopened
several times. seems now in a fair way
Of agreement by admitting crude oil free,
but except from those countries which
discriminate against the United States
and as to them giving a countervaning
duty.
The coal duty has not yet been settled
except as to slack An amendment de-
hning natural slack" has been drawn for
the purpose OF preventing the admission
into the United States, especially at New
England ports. Of Nova Scotia coal under
the name OF slack, which pays only Is
cents ton, while as coal It would be
subject to 81 cents. The matter Is OF
particular interest in Boston. where Nova
Scotia slack Is used In the local produc-
ton OF gas for lighting the municipality.
An amendment restoring the Dingley
law rate OF Is per cent ad valorem on
hides will be reported early IN the week
although there is an impression that this
duty viii be reduced to 10 per cent IN the
conference committee.
The Republican members OF the com
mittee will meet again to-day.
While the committee has not yet def
nitely concluded the consideration OF the
duties N wood pulp and print paper. and
viii not until Senator Hale. OF Maine, who
has been I'll. is able to return to the COM
mittee, Il is practically settled the duty
on print paper. which is now S6 q ton in
the existing law. and which was reduced
10 S2 by the House. will be increased TO 81
by the Senate committee. The House pro-
vision in regard to free wood pulp viii
stand.
Free Art Speeches.
The subject Of free art brought out
some remarkable speeches In the Senate
before the vote was finally taken. and
free art developed strength in most un-
expected quarters. There were only four
teen votes against admission OF art col
lectious free OF duty Senator Nelson led
The fight but was willing to admit only
such works OF art as were intended for
public exhibition Senators Root and
Lodge made earnest pleas for free art
and their efforts were ably seconded by
Senator's Tillman and Money, Democrats.
Il 90 not want to be held up as a rude
barbarian from the wild West" Mr. Mel
son said IN presenting his amendment op-
posing free art. but / think these big
millionaires who have purchased and are
holding in storage large art collections
abroad should be made 20 pay & small
duty on their Importation In the present