The Republican journal., 1905-01-19
TARIFF REVISION.
President Roosevelt FavOrs It, and viii
Call an Extra Session of Congress.

w
Call an Extra Session of Congress.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 10. President
Roosevelt favors the earliest possible
action looking to a revision by Congress
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 5sth Con-
greSS into extraordinary session as
soon as the committees have indicated
that they are prepared to submit
tariff measure for passage. One of
those present at the conference on Sat-
urday said today that the President in
formed them that while he did not be-
lieve in any sweeping revision of the
tariff, and would abide absolutely by
the judgment of the two houses Of
Congress in matter that related so
particularly to them, yet he did
think the time had come when the
schedules should be thoroughly ex-
amined and there should be readjust-
ment as to certain of them. The Presi-
dent added that his own view was that
the special session should take place at
the earliest date by which the commit
tees of the two houses could come to an
agreement as to bill.
So far as the President is concerned,
he would be willing to have Congress in
session during the summer months. He
has indicated his entire readiness to re-
main in Washington next summer if
Congress will undertake at that time
the consideration of tariff measure;
but Congress thus far, has shown no
disposition to accede to the proposition
of hot weather session. While no de-
cision of a definite character has been
reached as to the time of the extraoldi-
nary session it is reasonably certain
that if one should be held it will be
called to meet next autumn, probably
in October. On this point, however, it
is too early to state definitely. On an
other question, however, that of legis-
lation IN relation to interstate freight
rates of 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 action
regarding that legislation at the present
session but if he does not, he will bring
the subject again before Congress at
the proposed extraordinary session and
will urge with all his power. the crys-
talization into law of the recommends
lions he already has made to Congress
on that question.
Some consideration was given at the
conference to the subject of appropra-
tons to be authorized at the present
session of Congress. The President APP
proved 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, say
ing that the best guarantee of peace for
this country lies in a strong and homo
genous navy and the naval program as
mapped out should be carried into eff
feet, without the dropping of single
vessel. The President maintained that
Congress should authorize the construc-
ton, not merely of one or two cruisers,
but of fighting ships, battleships, and he
expressed the hope that agreement with
him in this regard might be reached in
Congress.