Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-17
WAITING FOR THE VACANCY.

reduction Of the tariff schedules on certain
articles, he threw his weight against any
change. In the face of this the Iowa repub-
ilcan convention. which was held in the lat
ter part of July, took strong grounds in
favor Of tariff revision, advocating reduc-
ton particularly those articles which
are controlled by the trusts. On this sub
ject the platform adopted then reads:
I'VE favor = = any modification of
the tariff schedules that may be required to
prevent their affording shelter to monop-
oly.' Although there was a great deal of
opposition to this statement 1t was finally
adopted by the convention. and Speaker
Henderson, it is understood, subsequently
came out in publ; Endorsement of the
whole platform.
Iowa republicans in Washington We're
thunderstruck when they received the news
of the step taken by the Speaker. Regret
was generally expressed. This was the SEN
timent of Secretary Wilson of the Agricul-
ture Department, who however, declined to
discuss the matter further
The names of several Iowans are suggest
ed here as probable successors to the candi-
dacy of Mr.. Henderson in his district.
These include Mr.. Courtwright, who for
merly had been in the race for the nomi-
nation; Mr.. C. E. Pickett, Mr.. Charles AL
brook and Mr.. ]. H. Funk.
Secretary Shaw's Comment.
When asked by a Star reporter for his
views as to the withdrawal of Speaker Hen
derson, Secretary Shaw gave some time to
consideration of the request and then said:
Either many newspapers misunderstood
General Henderson's position or | do. un-
derstand him to stand pat on the tarlT
plank of the Iowa platform, which favors
such revisions changed conditions make
advisable. In his address to the republican
voters of the third Iowa district he says:
While l have been against general re-
vision l have never been opposed to
making needed changes. and 1 am not now
Nor do l understand him to object to the
antitrust plank which is in different sec
tion Of the state platform, and which only
declares against allowing the tariff to be-
come a shelter for trusts. 1t goes no fur
ther than intimating that such thing may
occur. 1t does not say such thing does
exist Commenting on this plank in his ad
dress, the general says: 1t is a bold decla-
ration that if notifications of the tariff are
required to prevent monopoly from shelter
ing itself under the wings of protection then
tariff shall be modified to prevent that con-
dition.'
LAS understand him he finds himself un-
able to agree with the Interpretation placed
upon this plank by many of his constituents
and firm party friends. To what, If any,
extent the republicans of Iowa are advo-
eating a removal of the tariff on trust-made
or controlled goods as a remedial measure
I am unable to speak. l. think General
Hendersons friends ought to to it that
his position be correctly interpreted to the
people, and that he be not placed in tho
false light of having declined to be cam
didate for Congress because opposed to use
the language of the Iowa platform, to such
changes in the tariff from time to time as
become advisable through the progress of
our industries and their changing relations
to the commerce of the world.
Speakers Action Unaccountable.
Mr.. Geo. E. Roberts, director of the mint,
and editor of several Iowa daily papers,
says:
1.-The Speakers action is unaccountable
to me- His letter does not reveal any rea-
son that seems sufficient to justify ex
traordinary an act. He says that he IS
out of harmony with great many republic
cans in the state upon the tariff ISSUE but
he indicates that the state platform is not
unacceptable, and l see no reason why he
should be disturbed by the expressions of
individuals He attended conference of
republican leaders at Des Moines two weeks
ago which also attended by Governor
Cummins and others who favor tariff re-
vision. and they had a frank discussion of
the situation which ended harmoniously.
The Speaker invited the governor to make
several speeches in his district and the lat
ter agreed to do it. Evidently at that time
he did not regard the differences of suff-
cient Importance to deter him from making
the race.
THE clause of the platform declaring for
any modification of the tariff schedules
that may be required to prevent their af-
fording shelter to monopoly has caused
the discussion out there. The central
thought of the platform is a declaration Of
loyalty to the historic policy of protection
and the urgent Endorsement of reciprocity
as the natural complement of protection
The 'shelter-to monopoly clause, is in the
trust resolution. and is, of course, to be
read and interpreted in connection with
the regular tariff resolution. Together they
amount to an assurance that the party will
adhere to the policy of protection and reci-
procity, and that 1t will see that monopoIies
are not allowed to abuse the advantages
given to home industries for the purpose of
developing home industries and home COM
petition.
General Henderson's action is very much
to be regretted, for he has certainly exag-
gerated the differences that exist between
himself and the Iowa republicans who fa-
vored the platform and given them a CON-
manding importance to which they are not
entitled"
Representative Swanson's View.
Representative Swanson Of Virginia sees
a great deal Of strength for the democracy
in the acton of Speaker Henderson
The refusal Of Speaker Henderson, said