Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-23
'HURRYING WORK
ON TARIFF BILL
Secretary McAdoo and Other
Treasury Officials Appear
Before C0nferees.
MANY OF THE SENATE
AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED
Hope to Take Up Cotton Future Sec.
ton Tomorrow and Finish Meas
ure by Saturday Night.

Secretary McAdoo Of the Treasury
Department, Assistant Secretary Ham
lin and Chief Halstead of the customs
division were before the conferees on
the tariff bill today. discussing various
senate amendments.
When the conferees finally got down
to work on that part Of the bill they
passed up a dozen pages. accepting
most of the Senate amendments. None
OF the amendments over which there
Is strong contest was reached.
Chairman Simmons OF the conference
said that he hoped 1t would be possible
to complete the administrative features
before adjournment tonight In this
case, the cotton-.uture sect on will be
taken up tomorrow morning. He ex-
be before the President for his s-gna-
ture by Saturday night.
Expect No Fight on Report.
Other members of the conference. how
ever are not so sanguine. and 1t may be
that It will be OCTOBER 1 before the
President will be given an opportunity
to afix his signature to the bill, making
it a law.
It is not believed that any of the
democratic senators will kick over
the traces" when the conference report
is submitted to the Senate. Senator
Simmons said that he found the demo-
Gratis still solidly lined up and that
he did not look for any extended de-
bate In the Senate
It was denied today that any agree
ment whatever has been reached yet
regarding the compromise, the adop-
ton or rejection Of the cotton-future
section.
Increase Rates on Large Incomes.
At their meeting yesterday afternoon
the conferees agreed to the amendments
Of the Senate increasing the rates OF
taxation on the larger incomes. Nearly
all Of the Senate's minor amendments to
the section we agreed to also. The con-
ferees were still at odds last night. how
ever, on the matter of exemptions and
the family unit, and also on the Senate
amendment giving further exemptions to
the mutual life insurance companies.
The conferees have agreed to leave the
discussion of the cotton futures section or
the bill until the end OF the conference.
and will go ahead with the administra-
tive features Of the bill as soon as they
leave the income tax section. While hope
is still expressed that they will complete
their task by tomorrow night there is
considerable doubt felt that they will be
able to get tn. ough before Thursday or
Friday.
The administration leaders. fearing lest
the democratic tariff bill may lead
foreign nations to impose tariff penalties
against the United States as soon as
the new law goes into effect. are plan
ming the introduction OF joint resolu-
ton In Congress making specific pro-
vision for continuing existing relations
with all countries until President Wilson
has time to negotiate new trade agree
ments.
Present Agreement to Terminate.
1t was pointed out that the trade
relations established by President Taft's
proclamation under the Payne-Aldrich law
Of 1909 would terminate as soon as the
new law becomes effective. and that the
United States then would face the posi-
bility Of having higher tariff rates ap-
piled against its exports by many coun-
tries While the tariff law would give
the President authority to negotiate
trade and reciprocity treaties. 1t would
also require him TO apply special PEN
atty rates against any countries discrim-
mating against the United States.
To prevent the possibility of trade wars
the State Department Is drafting joint
resolution which will provide that exist
ing relations shall continue for four
months. This will not keep In effect the
tariff rates OF the Payne-Aldrich law
but will assure to foreign countries that
wood 8 mmons bill will not be applied to
them until a reasonable time has been
a lowed the President and the State De-
partment to negotiate new trade treaties.
Practically all nations having any for
eien commerce will be asked to enter into
such pacts.
Authority Conferred on President.
Senate amendments to the tariff bill
would authorize the President to assess
extra duties on coffee. tea. fish. china
ware, silks. laces. jewelry. sugar and
many other items coming from countries
not treating the United States as a IA
vored nation" While the joint resolu-
ton could not prevent other countries
from imposing higher tariffs against the
United States, 1t is expected that 1t will
induce them to Withhold such action,
temporarily. at least.