The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-03-31
Indications That a New Rule
Will Be Brought In
Fixing a Time for Tariff Action
i'm the House.
MIR. MANN EXPLAINS
The Action of His Committee on
Pulp and Paper.
Pleads for a Reduction in Duty
on Pulp Mechanically Ground.

Washington, March 31-Indica-
tions today are strong that a rule will
be brought into the house next Mon
day fixing April 10 as the day for vot-
ing on the Payne tariff bill.
Mr.. Mann of Illinois discussed the
recommendation of the pulp and pa
per committee, of which he was chair
man. for a reduction of the duty on
wood pulp and paper, and which rec
ommendation the ways and means
committee adopted
Mr.. Mann said that the committee
in the face of the campaign last sum
mer, when it might have been claim
ed that report from the committee
favorlng reducing the tariff would
have been of inestimable benefit to
the Republicans, declined, ''to be in
nuenced by The newspaper clamor in
favor of a reduction of the tariff
In its final report, he declared, also
that the committee declined to be un-
duly influenced by the demands of the
manufacturers
Mr.. Mann said the whole theory of
cheap paper depended upon the
chea pness of the ground wood and of
the supply of spruce wood Read
ing from official statistics, Mr.. Mann
said a fair estimate was that there
were 100000 acres east of the Mis-
s1sslppi carrying thirty-five billion feet
" SPioNC, Out, Il0 OeCldrGQ, IndI IL
the use of spruce timber for lumber
or wood pulp were to be confined to
the domestic supply, 1t would last
only from 10 to Is years
By natural reproduction, he con-
i tended, a forest could be replenished
In 10 or 20 years. To attain a growth
of 10 inches he said, would require
from S5 to 100 years Four inches
was the usual diameter that contracts
called for. The mills had been so
anxious to get spruce wood that they
mad been glad to get it of much small
er size. If he argued, the United
States was to have cheaper paper in
the future the question was where
would the spruce come from and he
pointed out the reduction of duty on
mecnanlcaily ground pulp would bring
the desired relief "a
1t is understood that the rule fixing
date for the vote ON the tariff bill
will provide for committee amend
| ments and the opening of the lumber,
| tea and coffee schedules to amend
ment for placing these articles on the
free list. 1t may be possible that
| hides will be included for considera-
tlon, but the sentiment seems to be
| growing that the senate will see that
the duty is restored on hides.
The rule will probably provide for
| the reading of the measure under the
| five minute rule during next week.
This would not give time for the read
| ing OF the Wnole Dill under the rule.
Taft Favors Tariff Bureau.
| Washington, March 31.-President
Taft today declared himself in favor
| OF tariff bureau to be created at this
| session of congress. He believed that
such bureau would be of great as
sistance in the application of the
maximum and minimum principle OF
! the Payne bill. The presidents an
nouncement was made to the executive
committee of the committee of loo
| created by the national tariff conven-
ton recently held in INDIANAPOLIS
This committee headed by E. H
Miles, chairman, called at the White
House today to lay before the presi-
| dent the tariff views of the convention
and to recommend a permanent tariff
! commission. They will use their in
fuence as far as possible to secure
legislation on the subject at this ses-
| sion.