The Washington times., 1929-08-16
SLIDE RATE
Of S|N|OOT
OUT
By Tnternational News Service

BY Internationni News Service
"A sharp slash in the oft
assailed House rate Of $2.40
for Cuban sugar, probably to
the So mark, lowered over the
American sugar industry to-
day as Republican members of
the Senate Finance Commit
tee approached a final decision
on this highly controversial
schedule.
The sugar schedule was Saved
for the LAST after producers, Inn
porters and refiners scuttled the
sliding scale" proposed a fort
night ago by Senator Reed Smoot
tR.) of Utah. Smoot was reported
ready to fight for the House rate
as a lust protection" for the
American sugar industry but there
We're sufficient indications to fore
cast rejection of the higher rate In
favor of one around $500 per hun.
dred pounds of Cuban imports,
Senate To Fix Rate
The final rate will be fixed by
the Senate itself, regardless of any
recommendation from the commit.
tee. A considerable group of Demo.
Gratis and Insurgents will favor re-
tention of the existing rate of $1.76
on Cuban sugar, with strong prcb;a
ability that they may be able to
muster a majority against Il any
increase.
The Republican leadership, how
ever, was prepared to defend an in
crease and the sugar battle will
furnish one of the oratorical high
lights of the Senate's tariff debate.
Nearing the close of their rate
adjusting activities, the Senate Re-
publicans revised several items in
the agricultural schedule. A sea.
sonal reduction in duties, placed a
week ago on tomatoes and peas, was
repealed. The House tomato rate,
however, was cut from 8 to ~
cents q pound but the House rate
OF , cents q pound on peas was re-
tanned.
New Watch Section
A new section was adopted on
watches and clocks. This was pre-
pared by group of importers and
representatives Of American watch
companies. 1T generally upheld the |
House rates, which have been de-
nounced as confiscatory by inde.
pendent importers. This schedule |
incidentally will be fought on the
floor of the Senate.
A seasonal rate was placed on |
fish, not specially provided for, so
that from October / to April / the |
rate will be reduced from 1 to a |
T11fe
thorized on the plea that the down |
east" fishermen were not able to
furnish a sufficient supply during
the winter months
The committees action in placing
manganese ore on the free list, at
the behest of the American Iron
and Steel Institute, drew a scathing |
rebuke from Senator Wheeler D.)
of Montana. He charged the steel
interests had made a deal with |
Soviet Russia for a vast supply of
this ore and therefore fought any
tariff on it.
Would Benefit Miners
''The miners of the West would
be benefited by a tariff on man.
ganese, but the steel interest, who
have made deal with Russia to
oAAAP Ala AIcASdAASSC OTS DOlIOH1S,
want this product to be on the free
list and at the same time want
their own products on the protec.
tive list" said Wheeler. This talk
about conserving our natural re-
sources, particularly when applied
to manganese, is pure and un.
adulterated bunk. The vote Of the
Senate Finance Committee reversing
itself in this manner shows how
completely the steel interests and |
other tariff barons dominate the
Republican party"
The committee Republicans mean.
while hoped to complete all impor-
tant rates by tonight. The com.
pleted schedules will be turned over
to the Democrats Monday. but the
bill VIII not be ready for the Sen.
ate before September 4.