Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26
VICTORY ON TARIFF
REVISION IS SEEN
Both Houses May Pass Bill
With Hoover'S Plan Before
Session Ends.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

aiding particularly agriculture and some
OF the manufacturers who have beer
hard pressed by foreign competition
looked to be in better case last night
than at any time since the tariff bill
now pending in the Senate was report
ed to the House last Spring.
The Senate has proved the instrument
through which the revision of the tariff
has become more limited" 1t has
halted increased tariff duties on several
OF the lighting items in the tariff. II
restored the present duty on sugar. 1t
has done away with the House duties on
lumber and shingles, and it has restored
boots and shoes to the free list, along
with hides and leather. At the same
time the Senate has retained or in
creased duties on many farm products.
Passage Is FOreseen.
Despite the suggestion from some
quarters that it will be impossible to get
the tariff bill out of conference between
the two houses, Republican leaders in
the Senate believe that the bill will
eventually be agreed to by both houses
and sent to the President for his ap-
prevail A number of Democrats take
the same view. An impelling reason for
getting a tariff bill through is the need
to demonstrate to the country that the
Republican party, in control of both
houses, is not impotent Some West
ern Democrats in the Senate are likely
to vote for the tariff bill on its passage,
1t is said, because of the increases
granted to agriculture, and the belief
that the bill will be a better measure,
from their point Of view, than the ex-
isting law.
Port Conduct Is Subject.
The Senate adopted an amendment
yesterday afternoon, just before adj
journing for the day, which would deny
the freedom OF the port" or the
courtesy of the port" and any other
special privileges which In the past
have been granted to members of Con-
gresS and other high oficials of the
Government on their return to the
United States from foreign countries.
While the amendment is not likely to
make any particular difference to the
customs receipts of the United States,
1t created something Of stir on Capt.
toll Hill, largely because OF the charges
which have been brought against some
members Of Congress that they used
these special privileges to smuggle
liquor into the country for their per-
sonal use or the use of their friends.
The amendment was offered by Sena-.
tor Pat Harrison of Mississippi. 1t
urovides that mo courtesy of the port,
free entry. or special privileges or pref
erences in examination Of merchandise
or baggage shall hereafter be extended
to any person who is subject TO pay
ment of customs duties"
Amendment Goes Through.
The amendment went through with
ont opposition. 1t will not apply to
members of the diplomatic corps. 1t
has been the practice Of the Treasury
Department in the past TO grant
Congress. The department has ex-
nlai1ed that these privileges merely
are designed to expedite the examina-
ton OF baggage and do not exempt
baggage from examination.
An effort was made by Senator
Couzens of Michigan to have stricken
from 1.-THE bill q provision when per-
mits American fTAyeleTs 70 pLlnB H.
the country Goods valued at not more
than Si00 free Of duty. The Senate
6nsnee committee had recommended
that this exemption from duty be IN
rTeased TO 1900 for returning travellers.
mt the YSrunosaI was killed at the sug-
cextion al Senator Smoot, chairman OF
the finance committee and the hInAC
restored to 500. Senator SOuzsn Is,
aTgled that the tarid should apply
eo,,allv to all citizens in this country,
IvhetlIer they remained at nome OF
Travelled abroad.
support lis Obteined.
In this3he was supported strongly Dy
Senator walsh Of Massachusetts anu
senator Jones of Washington. als pl4-
posal, however, was finally oeleaesu, "a
thoush, an. amendment was adopted
rvhich would deny this exemption from
S... - erv nerSor more than once
Ssnsfnr Couzens argued that Amert.
e.,, r,errhants along the Canadian ana
NSexicsYs borders were losing money
because Americans made pracuce "a
crossing the borders daily ana pLlnslns
hack into the United States outy-Iree
goods valued at less than $l0o. Sen ne.
amendment. which was adopted, pro-
vidine that such exemption should not
be granted to any person more IMAM
once in 80 days.
The senate has disposed Of most OF
the controversial items in the Dill, ano
Il was predicted by Senator Smoot last
night that the Senate would vote on
the bin finally on Saturday, Fepruary
q This is entirely too optimistic view
If the SITUATION, according to other Re-
publican and Democratic Senators, now
ever. February % Is more likely 70 pe
the data on which, the bill Will pc
naSsed. some of them said, ana oCneLS
saw no chance of its getting through
the senate until March or even April.
New situation Arises.
A situation Is developing, however,
which is likely to work in the interest,"
of more speedy disposition OF the tarin
The Senate has Q great deal OF work
ahead of It before it adjourns ana one
third of its. members and the entire
membership Of the House 60 nome 10
fight for reelection. The regular an
nIIal supply bills for the Government
must be roassed. Assurance has teen
given that some action Will be taken in
regard to Muscle Shoals and the power
DEVELOPMENT there. The program OF
legislation to strengthen prohibition en-
forcement Recommended recently py
the President, must be dealt with, de-
spite efforts of opponents TO olock u,
The first Of the appropriation niiis' tne
agricultural bill, will be ready TO re-
port to the Senate this week.
Many amendments, prepared by in
dividual Senators, await action by the
Senate after the committee amend
ments shall all have been disposed Oh.
There is reason to believe, however,
that a considerable number OF these
amendments will never be pressed lor
consideration and action. Among the
items in the bill which still remain TO
be fought over is the duty on cement.
The producers Of cement along the At
lantic seaboaTd insist they must have
protection against foreign competition
or 60 out OF business. There is doubt,
however. that the duty will be retained
Long Conference Expected.
When the tariff bill goes to confer
ence IL may not get out of that stage