Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-13

Washington, April 1.-THE amended
tariff bin is now on the Senate calenda
and by an agreement reached on TIN
floor, consideration Of the measure will
begin Thursday. The bill was laid be
fore the finance committee with tn,
Democratic members present, at II
O'Clock this morning, and after 30 min
utesl parleying, a vote was taken OF
the question of making a report to the
Senate today, all the Republicans vot
ing in the affirmative and the Demo
Gratis in the negative. Soon after tn.
Senate met Senator Aldrich presented
the amended bill. Senator Daniel OF
behalf of the minority protested that
the Democrats had not been given ar
opportunity to examine the measure
and Mr.. !Aldrich replied that they coulG
make their examination by Thursday
He said also that as the majority is
responsible for the bill, it's course il
fastening the report was warranted.
AS reported, the bill does not contain
all of the changes in rates which the
finance committee proposes to make
Although several important amend
ments, such as the restoration of the
Dingley rates on women's gloves and
hosiery, the placing Of works of art on
the free list, ard the assessment of a
duty on iron ore have been made. the
revenue producing possibilities of the
bill are little changed. The increases
are provided mainly in the schedule
covering luXuries, the entire liquor
schedule being materially advanced
The increase on wines and spirits is
expected to bring in about $1,000, 900 ad-
ditional revenue.
Senator Aldrich said that the com
mittee realizes that the increases thus
far recommended will not be sufficient
to counter balance the loss in revenues
that will result from the reductions and
tire frightening of the free list. This
shortage will nacessitate further in
creaseS on certain Injuries and the
committee intends to report some
changes at an early date which it will
ask the Senate to adopt.
In discussing the revenue features of
the bill Senator Aldrich insisted that as
it will be amended by the Senate, the
Payne bill provides sufficient funds to
meet the expenses of the government
without resorting to any but import
taxes. In this connection those articles
which the federal government purchases
in large quantities in foreign markets
are to be provided with lower Yates of
duty. This is in accordance with the plan
recently launched in the Senate through
the appointment of the new committee
on public expenditures, to reduce the
running expenses of the government.
No maximum and minimum provisions
or administrative features, which include
additional forms of taxation. were re-
ported in the bill today. These sections
of the measure are to receive the joint
consideration of the Republican and
Democratic members of the finance COM
mittee and may not be reported for three
weeks or more. Several of the revenue
features are dependent upon the action
which the committee will take in regard
to these sections. Besides the dutiable
and free lists, the only additional pro-
vision of the Payne bill reported today
was the Philippines free trade provision.
While not changing the purport of the
Philippine section, the committees re-
port included a new draft of this pro-
vision by which it's successful opera
ton will be assured. 1t mad been sug
gested that the provision for the free
entry of 100000 tons of sugar and 100000
pounds of tobacco would permit the i'm
portation under these limitations of pro-
ducts from neighboring islands through
their importation into the Philippines.
This difficulty has been obviated by max
ing dutiable when imported into the Phil
ippines.
Changes We're made in the cotton and
wool schedules of interest largely to the
manufacturers of cotton and wooden
cloths. The action Of the finance com
mittee in maintaining the high rate of
duty which it placed on tops at the time
the Dingley bill was alnder consideration.
and which now stands in the present law.
will undoubtedly, reopen the controversy
on the wool schedules. The intent of
the Dingley law regarding the assess
ment of duties on cotton cloth has been
carried out by a change In the provision
for the method to be used in counting
the threads in cotton cloths. The new
proviso and tne Encouragement of the du-
ties on the various grades of cloths re-
moves the ambiguity which resulted In
many difficulties in the provisions Of the
existing law being carried out without
changing the ad valorem equivalent of
the specific duties. .... ...
By restoring the Dingley rates on bar
ley malt and by reducing the taxation
on the breakfast table" by cutting down
the duties on coffee substitutes and plac-
ing cocoa on the free list. the Senate
amendments to the Payne bill present a
bid for popular favor. The numerous
increases in the agricultural schedule,
intended for the protection Of the Amer
lean farmer and provided for among the
amendments largely through the efforts
Of Senator McCumber, a new member
of the committee from the West, were
framed with view to gaining favorable
criticism.