Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-21
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Discussing Tariff Revision
With the President.
K a l L w AY R ATES
WESTERN GOVERNORS MEMBERS
OF IMPORTANT CONFERENCE.
The President Going to Texas--Posi-
tion Offered to Senator
Cockrell.
r a I L W AY R ES

Republicans for revision and republicans
against revision went to the White House
today. Some talked with the President as
20 an extra session and regarding revision
and some did not. The President was so
busy that he could give only few min
utes to each person and he told some of
the callers to come again
senator Foraker of Ohio, a warm friend
OF the President, when asked what he
thousht about an extra session for tariff
revision, talked as If he would have a
more definite opinion to express later. He
did go so far to gay: THE recent elec-
ton Indicated pretty fair degree of con-
tentment with existing conditions" ana
this was generally construed as opposition
to do anything to the tariff until after
most careful consideration
Senator McCumber of North Dakota was
OF about the same opinion ..,rhere Is lime
enough to think it all over before the 4th of
March, said the North Dakota senator
Il do not believe in rushing"
Representative Bates of PENNSYLVANIA
chung to the present tariff. 1.-THE last elec-
tion showed vote of confidence In exist
ing conditions" he said. II do not be-
lieve in revising the tariff just for revision.
The people don't want II. If there are any
schedules, however. that are working in
justice. let those interested speak up and
We can make some changes In that direc-
this time, and we cannot afford to make
reductions because of an excess of reve-
nues.'
Representative GiIlett of the second dis
trict OF Massachusetts favored tariff IevI-
Sion The people of my state are in favor
or a careful modification of the tariff he
SAID i am not so greatly impressed with
the necessity of n revision at an extra ses-
sion, as j think it could safely be done at
regular session, but / have no objection
to an extra session for that purpose"
Governor Cummips Of Iowa favored revi-
SION SION IN an extra session. Sentiment in
IaVor or revision Is growing In the west
ne said The President has long known
my views on this subject and is beginning
10 learn the The exact attitude of the western
upon 70 do the right thing
Interstate Freight Rates.
Interstate transportation matters, with
specific reference to the fixing of railroad
freight rates. formed the subject of an inn
portant conference at the White House to-
day. By previous appointment Governor
Samuel r. Van SAINT of Minnesota, Governor
A b. Cummins of iowa: f. p Bacon of Mil
Waukee, chairman of the interstate conn
Ia merce law convention; Frank Barry of
MiWaukee secretary of the convention and
X w Higbie Of New York an official OF
the National Lumber Dealers Associaf lion
called on the President to urge him to use
ms lnfluence to procure the enactment of a
law which would confer upon the Interstate
commerce commission power TO fix rail-
road freight rates in the commerce between
states.
The conference was arranged by Chair
man Bacon and by his invitation Governors
Van SAINT and Cummins were present Gov
ernor La Toilette of Wisconsin was to have
been a member of the delega ton, but was
unable to come to Washington at this time
The subject was considered by the Presi-
dent and the delegation at some length.
the members of the party presenting their
views as individuals, and the resolutions
adopted by the interstate. commerce law
convention, which was held in St Louis in
october. The convention included dele
gates from more than three hundred busi-
ness and commercial bodies throughout the
country. 1t was pointed out to the Presi-
dent that for ten years prior to 1897 the
interstate commerce commission had exer-
cised the power TO adjust railroad freight
rates in order to prevent discrimination,
but that since that time by reason of de-
cision of the United States Supreme Court
that power had been denied the commission
1t was urged by the delegation that a law
be enacted by Congress comforting unon tho
conlihlssion authority to adjust rates when
they were found to be discriminative in
their operation In violation of the inter-
state commerce act.
the delegation also suggested to the
President the desirabiity, as the members
viewed the matter, of discussing the suh-
Ject in his forthcoming message TO Congress-
The President did not Indicate however
what his personal views were contenting
hlmSeif with giving a careful hearing to the
statements made.
1t was regarded by some as probable that
On account of the presence in the delegation
OF men who have expressed an interest i'm
reciprocity and tariff revision those SUBJ
Jects would be taken up in the course of the
interview, but 1t was stated explicitly by
Mr.. Bacon and by Governor Van SAINT that
neither of those matters was alluded to in
any way.
Applauds West Virginians.
III
chairman of the republican state committee
of West Virginia, paid the President call
and received his thanks for their work I'm
West Virginia. The President was especial
ly cordial in his greeting of the two West
Virginians, both of whom had given him
numerous assurances prior to the election
that he would carry the state by large
ma jority. Senator Elkins told the Presi-
dent right after the st. Louis convention
that Judge Parker was the weakest man
who could be nomina ted, and Mr.. Northcutt
several times told the President that his
majority in West Virginia would not be
under 25,OO0. 1t was 32, 600.
Congressman Coming to the City.
The daily calls of senators and repre-
sentatives upon the President show that
congressman are reaching Washington
in numbers and getting tneir affa,r, in
shape for the coming session of Congress.
Representative Parker of New Jersey,
Dwight of New York and Lloyd of Mis-
souri, were among those who paid their
respects at the White House. Mr.. Lloyd
was one of the democrats who will come
back to the House from Missouri. He said
today that the democrats and republicans
in his state had not yet ceased to wonder
at the result of the election.
Senator Cockrell offered a Place.
Senator Cockrell of Missouri who will
fail of reelection to the Senate by rea-
son of the republicans having obtained
possession of the Missouri Legislature.
has been offered a position on the isth-
mian canal commission by President
Roosevelt. At the same time he has been
told that if5he feels that his health will
not permit him TO take this position he
will be offered place on the interstate
commerce commission. II he should go
on the interstate commerce commission
he would probably succeed James ID. Yeo-
mans OF Iowa, democrat. The salary is
81 500 2 year.
Senator Cockreil will reach Washington