Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1905-01-13
IN FAVOR OF
EARLY ACTION
President Looking Toward Re-
vision of Tariff by
Congress,
HAS so EXPRESSED HIMSELF
Details Of Last Saturdays Conference
Leaking Out - President Regards
Freight Rate Legislation the Most
Vital at the Present Time.

Washington, Jan. 11..-President
Roosevelt favors the earliest possible
action looking to a revision by con.
gress Of the tariff. He so informed
the senators 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 Fifty.ninth congress into extra
ordinary session as soon as the COM
mittees have indicated that they are
prepared to submit a tariff measure
for passage.
One Of those present at the confer.
ence on Saturday said yesterday, in
view Of the many conflicting stories
published regarding the meeting, 1t
can be stated that the president in
formed those present that while he
did not believe in any sweeping re-
vision of the tariff, and would abide
absolutely by the Judgment of the
tive houses Of congress, in matter
that related so particularly to them,
yet he did think the time had come
when the schedules should be thor
oughly examined and there should be
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
by which the committees of the two
houses could come to an agreement as
to bill. If they TOOK lnis view, he
said, he would hold himself ready to
call the extraordinary session at
whatever time the members of the
two committees, and especially the
house committee on ways and means,
should inform him they would be
ready with their report. II congress
should act on the tariff question in
accordance with the presidents de-
sire, it was made perfectly plain yes
terday that the extraordinary session
would be called to assemble the COM
ing spring.
1t has been pointed out, however,
by the tariff experts OF the house, that
1t will require many weeks to prepare
a measure for submission to the
house. The president realizes that
this is practical objection to an
carly spring session of congress, as
the members of the committee have
not the time now necessary to devote
to the preparation of tariff bill. So
far as the president is concerned, he
would be willing to have congress in
session during the entire Summer
months. He has indicated his entire
readiness TO remain in Washington
next summer If congress will under
take at that time the consideration of
a tariff measure; but congress, thus
far, has shown no disposition to ac-
cede to the proposition Of a hot
weather session.
While mo decision Of a definite char
acter has been reached as to the time
Of the extraordinary session, it is rea-
sonably certain that, II one should be
held, it will be called to meet next
autumn, probably in October, as by
the agreement to be reached between
the president and the leaders Of the
senate and the house Of representa-.
tives the extraordinary session will
not be called until the committees are
ready to report bill.
On another question, however, that
of legislation relating to the interstate
rates on railroads, his mind is quite
made up. He will fight for that legis-
lation and fight hard. He hopes to Sc.
cure from congress some definite ac-
ton regarding that legislation at the
present session; but if he does not.
he will bring the subject again before
congress at the proposed extraordi-
nary session and will urge with all
his power the crystalliEation into law
of the recommendations he already
has made to congress on that ques-
ton. The freight rate question he
Goes not regard as one Of expediency.
He holds that 1t is a subject in which
great moral principle is involved and
one very near to all the people of the
country. He regards 1t, in fact, as
the paramount issue at this time, far
and away more important than the
proposed revision Of the tariff. He
SPOKE plainly, it is stated, Of his
views at the conference on Saturday
concerning the freight rate problems
The expression of his attitude on. the
subject led to free interchange OF
opinions regarding it, but no conclu-
sions could be reached at that time.