The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-12
DISCUSSION Will
Begin NEXT
WEDNESDAY,
OPENING ASSAULT ON TARIFF
BILL, HOWEVER, WILL COME
MONDAY.
FIVE WEEKS DEBATE EXPECTED
Senator Simmons Thinks That Time
All That viii Be Necessary To Com
plete Arguments-Revenu Expected
From Cotton Tax.
five WEEKS DEBATE EXPECTED

Washington, July 12.-Discussion of
the Underwood Simmons tariff revision
bill, with it's lengthy free list, greatly
reduced rates on all commodities, and
its new system of ad valorem, instead
of specific rates, actually will begin in
the Senate next Wednesday noon.
On Monday, however, the opening as
sault upon the Democratic measure
will be made by Senator McCumber of
North Dakota, who will speak on the
agricultural schedule.
The Finance Committee agreed that
he should be given the floor ahead of
the formal opening, because he was
obliged to leave Washington Monday
night.
Chairman Simmons, speaking for the
Democrats at the Finance Committee
meeting, said he thought debate on the
bill could be concluded in five weeks.
Senator Smoot of the minority agreed
with Simmons, declaring the Republi-
cana had no intention of purposely
prolonging the discussion.
After the committee, early Friday,
had ordered the bill reported Wednes-
day, minority members began to plan
their reports. f... .-
There probably will be two by Sena-
tors Penrose, Smoot, Lodge, McCum-
Rnr n
rate report by Senator La Toilette,
who has had corps of experts at work
on the bill and who will have amend
ments that will constitute practically
"a new measure.
Senator Smoot has in preparation
new wool schedule which he intends to
submit as an amendment Wednesday.
Senator Simmons will file the majority
report and make the opening argument
for the Democrats and the administra-
tion. During consideration Of the meas
ure. Senator Simmons will have gen.
eral charge of the debate for the Demo-
Gratis, and Senator Penrose for the Re-
publicans. Senator Simmons, however
will parcel out the bill to the various
members of the Finance Committee
majority, following the plan adopted
by Mr.. Underwood in the House.
AS reported to the Senate, the bill
contained comparatively few changes
from the bill which was reported three
weeks ago to the Democratic caucus
by the Finance Committee majority.
Among these were a few changes In
rates and the free listing of antimony
ore, blankets costing less than 40 cents
a pound, cast iron of every description,
raw furs, gunpowder and a few other
commodities swelling the long list of
articles free listed by the committee
previously, and the already long list
in the House Bill
One amendment not heretofore an
nounced makes all zinc-bearing ore du-
table at IL 1-2 per cent, an increase
from 10 per cent over the House bill.
The amendment provides that on all
importations of zinc-bearing ores the
duties shall be estimated at the port of
entry, and a bond given in double the
amount of the estimated duty for trans
porting the ores to sampling or smelt-
ing establishments, where they shall
be assayed by agents of the govern
ment and import duties liquidated by
customs officers.
Another amendment made necessary
because of changing the date from Jan.
1, 1913. to March 1. 1913, frola. which
incomes shall be computed for the In
come tax for the. fsst year. provides
that the excise corporation tar OF 1
per cent shall be collected for Janu.
ary and February, 1918. The income
tax could not be assessed for these
months because such tax did not be-
come constitutional until Feb. rs, 1913.
The cotton futures stamp tax of one
tenth of a cent per pound Is inserted
in the bill as special section and up
on this tax it is expected the govern
ment will derive some revenue, as its
most sanguine supporters do not ex.
pect that the tax will entirely elimi-
nate stock gambling in cotton futures.