The Mena weekly star., 1909-03-25
WILL LIMIT DEBATE
CONGRESS DISPOSED TO ELIMIN. ATE LoNG-WINDED TARIFF
 SPEECHES.
MEMBERS LINING UP WITH AMENDMENTS
Each Will Attempt to Change sections of the Bill in Which Their constltu. ents Are Interested-5ig Fight VIII Probably Be Over Cut in Lumber Duty.

Washington, Mar. 21.-There Is a general disposition In the house to eliminate as far as possible any academic discussion of the tariff Members on both sides are desirous of having as little general debate as possible and as much time as practi. cable for consideration of the bill un- der the five-minute rule forthwith.
 When the Dingley bill was before congress, less than a week was de- voted in the house to the discussion of the bill under the five-minute rule. and while 1t is likely that rule will be brought In to limit the time for considerating amendments, 1t Is be lieyed that sufficient time will be al lowed for the consideration of the whole bill under the five-minute rule.
 Members on both sides are lining up and preparing to submit amendments to the sections of the bill in which their constituents are interested. The E-a'n contention Is to be over the cut made in the duty on lumber. It Is understood that the southern repre- seatatives are almost unanimously in favor of retaining the present duty of B per 1000 feet They will have the support of many members from the northwest and Pacific coast states.
 Hides and leather manufacturers al. so will be the subject of considerable debate. An earnest effort will be made by the Democrats to have shoes and other leather products reduced at least five or ten per cent and to have hides retained on the free list
 On boots and shoes. according to the new tariff, will be levied duty of 15 per cent ad valorem. While this is a reduction of ten per cent ad valorem. It Is contended by those who favor further reduction that the shoemen themselves have admitted that they could stand reduction of five or ten per cent more If hides were admitted free. The representatives of western states will make an earnest effort to have duty of 15 per cent again plac. ed on hides.
 The Louisiana delegation met Fri day to consider the effect that the free trade provision for the Philippine is- lands would have on the rice industry in the United States. They will en- deavor to have the minority report of the ways and means committee favor a small duty on rice imported from the Philippines or the quantity enti- tied to free duty entry restricted as has been done with sugar and tobacco. A committee composed of Senator Foster and Representatives Broussard and Pujo was appointed to consult with General Clarence Edwards, chief of the insular bureau of the war de- partment regarding the Philippine rice Importations.
 In explanation of the retention of the countervailing duty clause on pc troleum. it Is claimed that Mexico has developed large oil fields and that the provision limiting the free entry of oil to countries which do not im- pose tax on the importation of American oil was made to prevent the importation of Mexican oil free of duty if that country should impose a tax on oil from the United States.
 kansans Want Free Zinc.
 lola. Kan. Mar. 2l.-The duty of one cent a pound on the zinc in for eign ores, which the new tariff bill proposes, has aroused the business men in Kansas towns where smelters are located. lola, Gas City and La Harpe business men met Friday night and urged in resolutions that tho states representatives in congress try to defeat the provision. The resolu lions were telegraphed to Representa- live Scott.