The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-08
TARIFF IS TALKED
At THE WHITE HOUSE
President Begins Sounding All
Republican Members on
Revision Question

WASHINGTON. D. c., Jan. 7.-An
important conference regarding legis-
Iatlve questions pending before con-
gress was held at the White house this
afternoon. Those present were Presi-
dent Roosevelt, Speaker Cannon, Sen
ators Allison, of Iowa; Aldrich, of
Rhode Island; Spooner, Of wisconsin,
and Platt, of Connecticut, and Repre-
sentatives Payne, of New York; Dali
zell, of Pennsylvania; Grosvenor, of
Ohio and Tawney, or Minnesota.
1t can be said son the authority of
the president that no conclusions were
reached at the conference. The state
ment is made that other conferences
will be held before decisions of def
mite character are reached. The presi-
dent authorized the following state.
ment concerning the conference:
Ihese gentlemen came here to dis
cuss various matters of policy before
congress, including the tariff and the
interstate commerce law; but they
are not ready yet to announce any def
mite conclusions
The president would go no further
than that, but he emphasized the point
that no definite conclusions had been
reached. ~
The conference was called for q 80 %.
m. The invitations were entirely In.
formal. The conferees are all experts
on the tariff question, the representa-
tlves, With the exception of Speaker
Cannon. being the chairmen and the
ranking Republican members of the
ways and means committee, and the
senators being the chairman and mem
bers of the finance committee of the
senate. The subject of tariff revision
was considered almost to the exclu-
sion of other legislative problems, al
though railroad freight rate legislation
and appropriations to be authorized at
the present session were discussed. The
conference lasted one hour and fifty
five minutes.
The president exacted from each
man a promise not to discuss any of
the details of the conference for pub
licatton. Each of the conferees re-.
ferred all inquiries to. the president,
saying that he would make public all
that it was desired to say concerning
the meeting.
The conference was a frank discus
sion of the whole subject of tariff re-
vision, each man present elucidating
his personal views with freedom. 1t
was the presidents desire to ascertain
their opinions with view to harmonic
ing any differences that might develop,
in order that unanimity of action might
be agreed upon. 1t is the presidents
purpose to have conferences with other
members of the senate and house in
his policy to consult with the entire
Republican membership regarding
tariff revision.
If it should be found that the senti-
ment in favor Of revision be sufficiently
strong to warrant affirmative action, it
can be said to be the presidents pur-
pose to call an extraordinary session.
1t is Indicated by one of the parties to
today's conference that, If a revision
should be decided necessary, the ses-
sion for the consideration of the meas
ure proposed probably will be called
next fall Meantime, after the decision
Of the president shall have been reach
ed, the leaders of congress will begin
the preparation of bill, carefully con-
sidering such changes in the present
tariff law as may be suggested. 1t is
said to be entirely likely that no def
mite conclusion regarding either re-
vision or an extra session will be reach
ed for several weeks.