The Washington herald., 1909-07-05
FEATURES
TOPIC OF MEETING
c mmittee Makes Progress
in sunday Session.
CUSTOMS COURT IS OPPOSED
Confederation of Administrative
Items Results in Prediction that
All ParagTaphs VIE Be Reported
This Week-NO IaeIination shown
10 Restore War Taxes on Tobacco.

The Senate Finance Committee held an
important meeting yesterday devoted 10
the consideration Of the administrative
features Of the tariff bill
These were practically the only para
graphs that remained 70 be acted upon.
and II is expected they wiz al be re-
ported 10 the Senate and disposed OF be-
fore the end Of the week Most OF the
time was given TO the consideration of
the proposed customs court
Much opposition has developed 10 the
provision agreed on by the committee au-
thorizing the creation OF a customs court
20 be made up OF eminent lawyers spe-
cially qualified for hearing and determln-
ing all customs cases Once or twice IN
the tariff debate the charge has been
made that certain members Of the board
Of general appraisers IN New York have
been slated for appointment 70 this pro
posed court. Il has been evident for
some tine that a determined opposition
would be offered IN the Senate 10 this
provision or the bill The members OF
The committee agreed 10 report the para
graph IN the form in which II was orig
inally agreed on. and thrash the whole
matter out on the foor OF the Senate
On behalf OF the committee. Il was
authoritaJively stated there is no under
standing yet that any particular indi-
vidual is 20 be appointed 70 the customs
court in the event the Senate adopts ths
amendment President TAFT. il was said.
VIII be free 20 select eminent lawyers
specially qualified for the work. and It
was declared most positively that he was
not committed 10 any one
Determination Is Reached.
The committee reached the Getermina-
ton % report the drawback provisions
in the Dlngley law in exactly the form
in which they appear in the existing
statutes The fact that the COMMITTEES
will probably reach this conclusion has
been heretofore stated. but the msttsP
had not been definitely decided upon untl
yesterday The members OF The COM
uittee realize that the drawback pro
vision VIII probably have 10 Be worked
out IN conference committee. Senator
/ McCumber was authorized TO report al
I amendment exempting from the draw
back provisions manufactures OF graia
and -four.
Yielding 10 the numerous complaints
against the so-caued Identification
clause" the House made modification
n the law which viii open Up the subject
f for conference
some consideration was given 10 TIE
tobacco schedule Senator Beveridge. Of
Indiana, has been making a vigorous
fight 10 obtain The reimposirion OF the
war revenue tax on tobacco. and has
made TWO speeches in the Senate on that
subject He was eager 20 obtain q vote
on this pending amendment al The con
clusion Of his last speech. but was urged
/ by Senator Aldrich 70 IeJ The matter go
I over on the assurance that The Finance
Z Committee would give further consi6era-
I ton 20 Il and take additional testimony.
A subcommittee OF which Senator
7 Lodge. OF Massachusetts. IS chairman.
( has been hearing both sides. and il Is the
+ impression that after further hearings a
report VIII be made in favor OF certain
notifications in the schedule. Senator
Beverage made q special fght against
7 the short packages. which he insists have
f been IN use by the tobacco trust since
F the abolition OF the var taxes. and his
amendment IN providing for the restora-
ZION or war duties seeks 20 correct the
/ short paCSzSs evil and 70 wipe ont the
coupons and trade stamps which are
used in the sale OF tobacco products
The committee Is not inclined 70 restore
war taxes IN full although Il is possible
that increases may be recommended Il
is not unlikely that a report VIII be
made IN favor O. legislation abonshing
the coupons and restoring fun packages.
A further hearing VIII be had tomorrow,
after which a conclusion VIII be reached
Appeal from Importers.
Consideration was also given yesterday
70 an appeal from the importers for q
deduction OF 6 per cent from the cost
price abroad or fmportatlons in the max
ing OF appraisements for duties. the Per
cent representing the usual commission
which is allowed for the sale Of imported
articles BY importers This petition has
been received with some favor BY mem
bers OF the committee and may b
granted
The Senate VII take up the considera-
ton OF the administrative features prob
ably to-day, an5 IL Is expected these VIII
be disposed Of before the end OF the week
With the conclusion OF the consideration
win have been completed in Committee OF
the Whole, and Il is not expected many
days will be required 70 dispose OF II
after IL has been reported TO the Senate
from the Committee OF the Whole