Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-09
THE TARIFF REVISION.
Cut Of One Half on lumber-Cattle-
men Oppose Free Hides.

Washington, March S.-A cut of one
half in the duties on lumber and man
ufacturers OF lumber, it is understood.
Is provided by the new tariff bill, which
is being printed preparatory to its fl
nal rcvicion by the Republican men,
bers of the House ways and means
committee. Another change, according
to information from reliable sources,
ic that hides have been placed on the
free list There has been mach conten-
ton over the duties on these articles
During the hearing of the lumber
schedule the testimony was of such a
character as to lead 10 the impression
that lumber would be put on the free
list II was declared that the forest
of thu country could be conserved only
by admitting foreign lumber free Of
duty. 1t is understood that Clifford
Pinchot. chief forester. is preparing
figures for the committee in further
effort to have lumber placed on the
free list. Champ Clark argued at the
hearings that the profits of the lumber
interests were unduly large Repre-
sentative Fordney of Michigan. a MEM
Der Of the committee. has champiOned
the cause of the lumbermen, and the
latter have been working energetical-
ly to prevent the free entry Of lumber
They contend that the duty should be
increased so that the American intlus-
try may compete with the cheaper la
Dor employed in Canada and becauseOf
the better facilities for transportation
afforded by the proximity of the Ca
madam lumber camps to waterways.
of tn raj in fran EiGac =
made principally by the New England
shoe and leather manufactures and is
strongly opposed by the cattlemen of
the West. 1t is said that the tariff
trainers have agreed to a material re-
duction on leather manufactures.
An impression prevails that the plan
is to have the hide and leather sched-
ule fixed in conference after the ques-
tons have been thoroughly threShed
out on the floor Of the House. in the
Senate finance committee and on the
floor of the Senate.
1t is understood that the policy OF the
Democrats will be to criticize the Re-
publican bill and to offer amendments
to it. They will follow a tariff for rev.
enae only rather than free trade
policy.
Washington, March S.--Having been
practically completed by the tariff
trainers, portions of the new tariff bill
were sent tonight to the government
printer 1t is expected that by Wednes-
day the entire measure will be in type.
Although no announcement has been
made by the House committee on ways
and means regarding any of the sched-
ules of the tentative bill. it has been
learned on unquestionable authority
that Senate concession to the shoe
men because OF hides being placed on
the free list the duty on shoes will be
considerably reduced. While no figures
were ohtainable regarding the steel
schedule, it was stated on the same au-
thority that d substantial reduction in
the duty on steel rails. tools and SIM
liar products is provided for. A duty
of four cents a pound on coffee is lev
led. This is by way of compromise with
the Porto Ricans. who demand tax
of six cents a pound.
Whiskey and beer will remain as
they are at present. if the suh-comr,it-
tees resolution is enacted into law.
II was folt that whiskey was already
and that in the case of beer the prohi-
bition movement throughout the coun-
IT, had cut down the consumption of
beer so that it would be a hardship to
impose any further tax.
1t having become manifest to the
committee that the duties derived from
customs under the new bill would not
produce the revenue expected. they
considered the expedient of reviving
the war revenue of 1898. which placed
a tax OH kilograms. bank checks. play
ing cards, and all stocks bought or
sold. That feature of the war revenue
act is incorporated in the measure as
drafted it is said.
a matter which is perplexing the
committee is a tax on inner itanceS.
President Taft wants such a tax, it is
declared, and is pressing the commit