The Washington times., 1901-10-29
ADVICE FROM MIR. ALDRICH
The President COnsults the Rhode
Island Senator.
Recommendation i'm the Forth
coming ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and
Tariff Changes Likely to BE lgHor-
ed-Mr. Roosevelt Seeking Counsel.

coming Message-Reciprocit and
Tariff Changes Likely to BE Ignor-
ed-Mr. Rooseyeit Seeking Counsel.
Interest I'm the probable recommenda-
tions of the President in his first annual
message to Congress was actively re-
Vived yesterday by a consultation between
Mr. Roosevelt and Senator Aldrich, Of
Rhode Island, Chairman of the Finance
Committee Mr.. Aldrich is generally rec
ognized as one of the ablest and best
fitted men in Congress, SO far as finan-
cial questions are concerned. Since be-
ing elected to the House of Representa-
tives a quarter of a century ago he has
made a continuous and exhaustive study
of the financial and tariff questions. He
has been in the Senate continuously for
twenty years, and in that time has been
a power in the forming of financial and
tariff legislation.
1t was generally known that the Pres
dent had asked Mr.. Aldrich to come TO
Washington yesterday to discuss with him
que stlons that are to be dealt with III
his message and it was expected that
after the conference the Senator might
have something to say that would indi-
cate his views with regard to legislation
to be proposed at the coming session.
The Senator, however, disappointed those
who were anxious to obtain his views by
arriving at the White House just in the
nick OF time TO keep his engagement for
luncheon at 1870, and after his consulta-
ton with the President going directly TO
the station to catch the Congressional
Limited train for New York at o'clock
During the two hours and more that
the President and Senator Aldrich were
together they went over every important
subject TO he discussed in the message,
and the Senator gave his opinions freely
and fully and in the straightforward man
ner so characteristic of him. Something
OF what he must have said to the Presi-
dent may be guessed at by a knowledge
of the Senator's attitude on questions that
formed in part the subject of yesterdays
conversation.
Senator Aldrich thinks now, as he
thought during the last session of Con-
gress. and as he more than once said to
President Mckinley. first, that there
should be no change in the currency laws
at the coming session, the Indianapolis
committee and all other currency reform
crs to the contrary notwithstanding; sec
ond. that there should be no tinkering
with the tariff through the medium of the
proposed Babcock bin. the negotiation of
reciprocity treaties or otherwise: third,
that there should be as little general leg
izIation as possible. as, in his opinion,
what the continued commercial prosperity
demands now is a recognition of the old
adage. let wen enough alone"
Because of Senator Aldrichs we'll
known opposition to the ratification of
France. the Argentine Republic and other
it is fair to assume that he
talked about them with the President yes
terday. Whether or not he did so, the
fact has developed, as a result Of the in
terest aroused by the Senator'S visit, that
these treaties, some of which are on the
Senate calendar others having been re-
ferred back to the Committee on For
eign Affairs, will never come to a vote, If
for no other reason than that they have
died by the lapse of the time during which
they should have beer ratified by the
Senate. The time allowed by the Dingley
tariff law under which the treaties were
negotiated has been twice extended. and
If it shall not have entirely elapsed by the
time the Senate is ready to consider the
treaties, it will not be heightened.
The fact, almost forgotten by the pub
lie, that the Dingley law provides that
these treaties must be agreed to by both
Houses of Congress after being ratified
by the Senate. has been brought to the
attention of the President several times
of late, and those who favor the treaties
are now willing to admit that even
should the Senate ratify them. they can
not become effective without the further
approval OF the House OF Representa-
uVes. The acceptance OF this fact adds
new feature to the discussion Of the
probable fate Of the pending treaties and
makes their ratification within the time
limit, or afterward, should it be extend
ed, as practically impossible.
Several Of Senator Aldrich'G Republican
colleagues on the Finance Committee
agree with him in opposing the reciprocity
treaties. They are particularly opposed
to the convention with France, which
they say was made at the instance and in
the interest primarily of the manufac-
turers of agricultural implements, and
that this treaty. as well as nearly II not
quite all Of the others, is SO unscientifcal
ly constructed as to give the United
States the small end Of the bargain all
the way through.
Those Senators think, and many of
them, Senator Aidrich did yesterday.
have spoken their mind freely to Presi-
dent Roosevelt. They believe. as probably
he does, that reciprocity treaties are con-
stitutional when approved by both Houses
of Congress, as the law provides that
they must be, but that the regulation OF
the tariff should be left to the more di-
rect action Of Congress, the initiative, Of
course. being with the House of Repre-
sentatives.
Judging by what the influential Sena-
tors and Representatives who have been
IN conversation with the President during
this month have said to him. II is prob
able that his first message TO Congress
VIII be less radical than mas generally
been supposed. II WIFI not recommend
changes in the currency laws. II will not
recommend the ratification of the pending
reciprocity treaties and it will not recon-
mend specific changes Of any kind In the
present tariff laws. 1t will be brief and
conservative, and it is reasonably safe To
say that its more pointed recommcnda-
tions VIII be on the subject Of legislation
to deal with the growing power of indus
trial combinations or trusts. on this lat
ter subject. however, Mr. Roosevelt's rec
concentrations will not he radical, but
rather in the line Of calling the attention
of Congress to the Importance Of dealing
with the subject in some way Of its own
that Will be effective. If such a way can
be- found.
The message is now written In outline
but the finishing touches will not be ap-
piled until after the first of the coming
month. and until the President has had
opportunity to further consult the infiu-
entail men of the Senate and House
Senator Allison, OF Iowa. Chairman Of the
Committee on Appropriations and second
ranking member of the Finance Commit
tee. will give the President his Jews by
request when he comes to Washington in
about ten days. Mr.. Allison is known TO
be OF much the same opinion is his col
league. Mr.. Aldrich. on questions relating
to tariff and finance.