The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-01-12
EHOUS
WON in THE SECRET CONFER
ENcE ON THE TARIFF RE
VISION PROPOSITION.
PRESIDENT HAS DECIDED TO
MAKE RAILROAD REGuLA-
TON PERMANENT ISSUE.
lBy Publishers, Press.l )

WASHINGTON. d. C., Jan. 12.-In
way il was a struggle between the
House and the President, and the
House won.
When President Roosevelt began
the series of conferences, looking to
a crystallization of the extra session
sentiment, he assured his Congress
sionaI visitors that he had summoned
them that che might find out where
he stood on the subject of tariff re-
vision = That pleasantly made quite
agreeable a situation which other
wise might have been considered
tense. but it did not enthuse the
stand-patters of the House into lin
ing up for the President, whom they
regarded as the champion of the ex-
ira session policy. Notwithstanding
the diplomatic approaches of the
President they stood pat, as of yore.
President Roosevelt let it be known
through the proper channels that he
had not the slightest notion of
ramming an extra session down the
throat of Congress-
He gave assurance that the House,
bearing the brunt of the responsible
ity in the event of tariff revision,
should have its way in the matter.
Honest men might differ about tariff
revision and the necessity for the
same. In the last analysis it was a
question of economical expediency
after all, and if the temper of the
House should prove him in the minor
sity. why that would settle it.
The House leaders took up the
gauge with glee. Speaker Cannon,
chieftain of the ..Let-well-enough-
alone contingent, gave assurance
that he would stand by the flag until
the last ditch. Floor leader Payne,
of New York whose name would be
immortalized as the author of the re-
vision bill. if one should be adopted,
took the other side of the question.
Payne succeeded in carrying two
others OF the New York delegation
with him. The other seventeen an
nounced their opposition to revis-
ion of the tariff at an extra session.
Pennsylvania stood solidly against re-
vision. OF ohio's seventeen Repub-
Iican members, Burton alone declar-
ed in favor of revision.
Whether at an extra or regu-
lar session is mere matter of de-
tail, 2 he said
New England showed majority
against although Massachusetts, cast
a majority vote in favor. The far
West came out with emphasis against
the proposed tinkering. Altogether
by four o'clock yesterday those op.
posed to an extra session had rallied
about them $50 of the 21O Republi.
can members of the House. The
President wanted one expression from
the House. He got it. Some are
chuckling because of it. There are
members of the House who have
never been over-confident of the
President. They haven't had an op,
portunity of showing it without in,
juring themselves at home, until this
time
They would have opposed other ad.
ninistration policies, had not these
policies been SO alfred popular.
But in the matter of tariff revision
they feared not. and they spoke out
with undisguised pleasure. After
all their victory may not be perma,
nent one. The President has come
back TO the attack with other weap,
ons. He has subordinated the ques
tion OF tariff revision, and made that
of railroad regulation the paramount
one. Having submitted to the senti
ment of the House, where matters OF
expediency alone seemed at stake, he
now sees a great principle of morals
inrolyed- The power of railroads tc
grant secret rebates, and to otherwise
discriminate must be checked. Il
must be done at this session of Con
gress. If Congress shall fail in this
there will be an extra session after
all. 1t can take up tariff revision
then If it wants to. But it win be
compelled to dispose of the railroad
question, one way or another. And
on this subject, the opposition OF
House leaders will not avail
Furniture and Carpets,
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