Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-01-14
PRESIDENT FAv0Rs A REVISION
Roosevelt Thinks Immediate Acticn
Is Needed on the Tariffs.

! Washington, Jan. l3. - President
Roosevelt favors the earliest possible
action looking to revision by congress
of the tariff. He so informed the sem
ators and representatives who were In
conference with him at the White
House last Saturday, and he has made
plain his position to others since that
conference. He will call the seth con-
gress into extraordinary session as soon
as the committees have indicated that
they are prepared to submit a tariff
measure for passage.
One of those present at the confer
ence on Saturday said today in view of
the conflicting stories published re-
garding the meeting, that the president
informed them that while he did not
believe in any sweeping revision of the
tariff, and would abide absolutely by
the judgment of the two houses of con-
gress in the matter, yet he did think
the time had come when the schedules
should be examined and there should
be a readjustment as to certain of
them. The president added that his
own view was that the special session
should take place at the earliest date
at which the committees of the two
houses could come to an agreement rs
toa bill. If they took this view, he
asid he would hold himself ready to
call the extraordinary session at what
ever time the members of the two COM
mittees, especially the house commit
| tee ON ways and means should inform
/ L.. a i L ! sAl l. :
port. If congress should act on the
tariff question in accordance with the
presidents desire it was made perfect
ly plain today that the extraordinary
session would be called to assemble in
the coming spring. 1t has been pointed
out, however, by the tariff experts of
the house and of the senate that it will
require many weeks to prepare meas
uer for submission to the house. The
president realizes that this is practi-
cal objection to an early spring session
of congress, as the members of the com
mittees have not the time now necess-
airy to devote to the preparation of a
tariff bill. So far RS the president is
concerned he would be willing to have
congress in session during the summer
months. He has indicated his entire
readiness to remain in Washington
next summer if congress will undertake
at that time the consideration of tar
If measure; but congress, thus far, has
shown no disposition to acceed to the
proposition of hot weather session.
While no deciison of definite char
| no oh fn hn
Of the extraordinary session, it is rea-
sonable to believe that if one should be
called to meet next autumn, it will
probably be in October.
1t was added that there was not the
least prospect of differences SO radical
arising between the president and the
republican leaders in congress over the
tariff question as to cause any split in
the party. While the president is
deeply in earnest in his desire for tariff
revision, he regards the question as
one of expediency, inasmuch as no
principle is at stake.
On another question, however, that
of legislation relating to interstate
freight rates of railroads, his mind is
legislation, and fight hard. He hopes
to secure from congress some definite
action regarding that legislation at the
present session, but if he does not he
will bring the subject again before con
gress at the proposed extraordinary
session, and will urge with all his
power the capitalization into law of
the recommendations he has already
made to congress on that question.
The freight rate question he does not
regard as one of expediency. He holds
that it is subject in which great
moral principle is involved, and one
very near to all the people of the coun-
try. He regards it, in fact, as the
paramount issue at this time.
Some concern was given at the con-
ference to the subject of appropriations
to be authorized at the present session
of congress. The president cordially
approved of the disposition of congress
to hold the appropriations down to the
lowest possible limit, but he urged very
strongly that the naval appropriations
should not be materially disturbed,
saying that the best guarantee of peace
for this country lies in a strong and
homogeneous navy, and that the naval
program, as mapped out, should be car
ried into effect, without the dropping
of single vessel The president main
tanned that congress should authorize
the construction not merely of one or
two cruisers, but of fighting ships,
battleships, and he expressed the hope
that an agreement in this regard might
be reached in congress.
! Governor Makes Changes.
| Olympia, Wash, Jan. 10.-One of