The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-09-19
LEADERS CALLED INTO CONFER
ENcE CONCERNING TARIFF.
TO FIX DEFINITE POLICY
Meeting Will Consider What Presi.
dent Should say on His
Northwestern Trip.

nounced that President Roosevelt will
have something direct to say on the
subject of tariff modification in his
speeches during his trip to Minnesota
and the west. The Washington Post
prints a statement to the effect that
the president has summoned several
leaders to a conference at Oyster Bay
tomorrow. Senators Allison, Spooner,
Platt, of Connecticut; Lodge, Aldrich
and Hanna have been requested to
meet Mr. Roosevelt and give their
views on the tariff situation. The
Post article says:
Everywhere the greatest curiosity
is manifested as to the probability of
tariff revision. The president found
In New England a very strong senti-
ment in favor of tariff reform, es-
pecially a lower tariff, as the best
method to prevent further growth of
the trusts. He realizes that he is
about to travel through a section
where the tariff reform sentiment is
especially strong.
I'm Minnesota 1t has become an
issue which affects the denomination
and reelection of congressman. Mr..
Tawney, for instance, has promised
his constituents that If the Fifty
eighth congress is republican the tar
iff will be revised. Others Minnesota
representatives have gone as far in
their pledges to the people.
I'm Michigan, too, there is quite a
feeling in favor Of tariff reform, while
in Iowa. where the president is also
scheduled to make several speeches,
everybody knows that the question
Of the tariff was the principal n at
the state convention.
Under these circumstances the
president wants to consult with the
party leaders as to the character Of
his u~tterances. He arranged that
upon his New England trip he should
discuss trusts, proposing while out
west to take up the question CT reci-
procity with Cuba This question il
SO intimately associated with the tar
1T that the president will be virtually
compelled to also discuss that issue.
In selecting the six senators who
are to participate in Tuesdays con
ference, the president has taken all
shades Of opinions. Senator Aldrich
represents the Interpretation view,
while Senator Hanna may be placed
among the conservatives, who will
look, at the question both from the
political as well as the business side.
Senator Allison will come from the
hot-bed of tariff reform, while SEN
ator Lodge is theS spokesman of the
New England interests. which have
indicated a willingness to ex-
tend the free list. Senator Spooner
Is given great weight by the presi-
dent, while Senator Platt of Connecti-
is another careful and able ad-
wiser.
IF Representative Babcock is in
vited to the conference, as it is said
will be, he will be the faction of
republican party who wants the
iuties on steel and other trust-made
manufacturers removed in order that
he products CT the trusts may be
old as cheaply in the United States
IS they are. abroad.
"The president will have RI exar. +
Use considerable caution in his ut
FRANCES in the northwest because,
While he wants to be popular with
he tariff reformers there, he cannot /.
fford to offend the pr~otectionists of
pennsylvania, Rhode Island and other
Ugh tariff states. The problem is '
ne that demands the most careful .
and it is not surpris- :.
lg that he has called the confer :
!