Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-01-11
PRESIDENT WANTS
TARIFF REVISION.
Calls Leading Republicans in Congress
Experts On Tariff Question, to
the White House.

Washington, D. c., Jan. 1-Severai
of the leading Republicans in Congress
had conference with President Roose.
welt this afternoon, to consider with him
legislative questions now pending before
Congress. The conference was held a;
the instance Of the President, invitations,
entirely informal in character, having
been extended by him to those present.
those invited were Speaker Cannon
Senators Aldrich of Rhode Island Ali,
son of Iowa, Spooner of Wisconsin anC
-. N. Flat of Connecticut, and Repre-.
sentatlyes Payne of New York, DalzeI
OF PENNSYLVANIA, Tawney of Minnesota
and Grosvenor of Ohio. The senators
| are members Of the Senate steering com.
mittee and the representatives. are mem
bers Of the House ways and means com
mlttee in addition to the speaker.
The personnel Of the delegation invited
naturally would suggest that matters re,
latlng to the tariff were to be considered
at the conference, as the senators called
by the President are the tariff experts OF
the body they represent and the repre-.
sentatiyes, except the speaker, are the
leading members of the ways and means
committee, which would initiate any
tariff legislation that it might be deemed
desirable to present to Congress. The
President has indicated it to be his pur.
pcSS " couSult WITH IUcmDCFS COQ-
gress before recommending any action re-
garding the proposed revision of the
, tariff. That consideration of that sub.
ject was one of the objects of today's
conference is known. Differences Of
opinion have arisen as to what, if any,
action is to be taken, and an effort was
made at the conference TO reconcile those
differences and, If possible, to determine
upon a line of procedure that will be sat.
isfactory to Republicans generally The
members summoned to the conference
spoke for themselves, as individuals, and
Tor other Republican members Of the
Senate and House with whom they have
consulted regarding the tariff question.
Members Of Congress who have con.
sidered the subject of tariff revision viii.
not venture to predict what decision even
tually may be reached as to Legislative
action. Doubt was expressed whether a
determination Of the question would be
reached at today's conference.
1t is likely. also, that other legislative
questions, in addition to that Of the tariff.
were discussed, with a view to securing
regarding legislation at the present SEES
sion. There is no probability Of action
on the tariff question this winter. In
deed. it is intimated very strongly that il
action should be determined upon. it will
be taken next fall at an extraordinary
session, although some pressure has beer
brought to bear upon the President and
the Congress leaders to induce the holding
of an extraordinary session at an earlier
date
In line with his policy OF consulting
members Of Congress concerning pro-
posed legislation, the President today
had talks with Senators Cullom Of Hi.
nois, Beverage Of Indiana, Nelson OF
Minnesota and Lodge Of Massachusetts.
Several tODlcS were discussed hut no
conclusions were reached. Senator Mel
son said he was in entire accord with
the Presidents views regarding inter
state freight rates and hoped some legis-
lation relating to the subject might be
enacted at the present session.