Evening star., 1909-07-13
FLAX SCHEDULE IS TAKEN Up
WORK OF CoNFEREEs ON THE
TARIFF BILL.
Cotton Rates Passed Over Tempora.
rily-Reported Determination
of the Senate.

The tariff conferees were at work aga in
bright and early this morning and kept
at II until ! o'clock, when a recess was
taken for lunch. When the conferees
began work today it was with the knoWl-
edge that the amendments to the lum-
ber schedule. over which a contest was
certain, would be reached before adjourn
ment. The House members were ex-
pected to make strong fight for dol
lar lumber which was defeated in the
Senate.
In view of the fact that the lumber
amendment will require a great deal OF
deIiberation, it is likely that after the
discussion has continued for time the
whole subject will be put over until an
other day, and the conferees will DIS
pose Of minor amendments.
Flax Schedule Taken Up.
The first reading of the bill for the con-
sideration of amendments had proceeded
about half way through the flax or linen
schedule. Practically all of the disputed
amendments were passed over.
1t was hoped TO tackle the cotton sched-
ule today. but Chairman Payne was moi
armed with the papers he desired, and II
went over. to be taken up later in the day
U
away considerable dead wood during the
forenoon anG are rapidly clearing the way
for the vital contests, which many fea-
lures of the bill will precipitate.
Up to this time the conferees have not
.ocked horns on Any of the contested par
agraphs The head-on collision is yet TO
come and Goth sides are Preparing TO-
The shock. The conTerees have been feel
ing one another out and sparring for wind
uy To tins time.
Enough has developed to show unmis-
takably that when tney do clincn there
will be a fight. Chairman Payne has re-
sisted all efforts TO rush him and is in
sisting upon taking his time, it is declared
by members of the House who are ap-
prised of the happenings in committee.
Senate's Reported Determination.
All reports from the inside indicate that
the Senate is determined to have stiff
protection bill CT no bill at all. There
are some schedules made by the Senate
which the Senate conferees are irrevoca-
bly, determined to retain, pressure or ne
pressure. from whatever source exerted.
II seems altogether probable that the
| administrative features OF the bin as
written by the Senate, including the max
| imum and minimum provisions and the
customs court. will be adopted by the con
ferees. President Taft has expressed him
| self favoraDly to the Senate's plan and
the views of the executive branch as to
| the administration Of the law are likely
| to prevail.
Finance Committees Statement.
| Members of the Senate committee on
finance are preparing statement reply
ing 10 charges that Senate amendments
to the tariff bill will result in increasing
| the cost Of woolen and cotton clothing
shoes and other articles of common wear
| as we'll as other necessities of life.
| The statement will show that the duty
| on shoes has been reduced and tina,
| there has not been single change in
| the rates on woolen goods and that the
rates on cotton have not been increased
There will follow list of about 5oO de-
| creases in rates from the Dingley duties
and a list of about sixty or seventy-fye
! increases An effort will be made 10 show
that most of the latter are not in realit,
| increases of rates. but that they provide
for the collection of the rates fixed by
| the Dingley law which had been Sc,
aside by misinterpretation of that law.