The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1902-02-21
IMPORTANT MEETING HEIDI
NATIONAL LEADERS THERE
Prominent Senator's and Represent
atiVes Called Together by Presi-
dent-Ali Are Reticent of Subjects
Discussed-SchIey Case and War
Tax the Supposed Topics.

y
portant conference was held in the
cabinet room of the White House Sat
urday At the presidents request he
was joined there shortly after 10 o.
clock by Senators Allison, Aldrich and
SpoOner, Speaker Henderson and Rep
resentatives Cannon and Grosvenor.
and the conference lasted until a few
minutes after noon. 1t is something
of a coincidence that those at the con
ference were, with the exception of
the president himself and Senator |
SpOCner, the same men who took part |
liz the famous conference a few weeks |
prior to the Spanish war; which re
suited in the definite conclusion that
congress should appropriate $50 O00,- |
600, to be placed at the disposal Of the
president to prepare for war. Not
since that momentous occasion until
now, have the same men been formally
summoned for a conference at the
White House.
Previous to the conference the pres
ident breakfasted at the White House
with Attorney General Knox, Post
master General Payne and Senator
Hanna.
When the conference broke up those
who participated in it were extremely
and unusually reticent. The fact that
the senators are members of the steer
ing committee of the senate and
Speaker Henderson and his two lieu
tenants who were present practically
control legislation in the house gave
rise to the behef that the consultation
referred to the legislative program in
congress and might have a bearing
upon the shaping of Cuban, Philippine
and war revenue repeal legislation.
There also was an intimation that
the president talked with his party
leaders in congress about the Schley
case, and color was given to this sur
mise by remark dropped by one OF
the senators. But nothing definite as
to the purpose or result of the consul
tation could be obtained.
The Washington Post says concern
ing the conference Of the president
with republican leaders of the house
and senate at the White House. that
, the chief topic was the ways and
means committees bill for the reduc
ton of war revenue taxes. The Post
says that Speaker Henderson and Rep
resentative Grosvenor explained the
reason for pushing that measure
{ through the house without permitting
amendment, the reason being that
they feared the reopening of the whole
tariff question should any other course
: be adopted. The Post further says;
1.-The conference, it is understood
{ resulted in the president consentinl
4 to the plans Of the house leaders ant
{ informing them that he desired tt
y have the war revenue reduction bill
. disposed of as quickly as possible. HI
. shared the opinion of the speaker ant
T. Mr.. Grosvenor that delay was menanc
ing to the chance of the bill passing
at was decided that a conference
of the republican members of the com
n mittee on ways and means should b.
e held Immediately after the war reve
o nue. bill passes the house for the pun
pose of ascertaining how the member
n stand on the presidents proposition
v for a reduction in the tariff on Cubal
n sugar. 1t was agreed that this shoult
= be the next important question takel
e up in the house"
V The Post also says:
!. "The Schley case was also unde
d discussion at the conference, the pres
ident being anxious that his disposi
IS ton Of the case should not be followe'
i, by action in congress. Speaker Her
l. derson was able to assure the pres
dent that action could be blocked il
( the house. but it was pointed out t
Is him by the senators that the situation
in the senate was different the NOR
liberal rules of that body allOwin
any resolution to be considered if
t, commanded a majority vote.
r "The presidents views Of the Schle
l. case became generally known as a re
y suit of the conference last night. A
h for the battle of Santiago, the pres
< dent is inclined to the opinion, accord
le ing to his visitors. that the victor
lie was won by all the captains and tina
credit can not be given exclusively t
l. Schley, although the latter acted coul
Le ageously, and, with the Oregon, SUI
ceeded in preventing the escape of tn
Colon"