The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-09
GETS VIEWS
 OF MEMBERS. MT. Roosevelt Listens to { Arguments. COURSE NOT DECIDED ON So Far, Mir. Roosevelt is Non-
 committaL
COURSE NOT DECIDED ON
Cannon Boldly Stands Out Against "rarif Tinkering"--Reyision for
 Raising of Revenue Not Brought Up in Conference.

Washington, Jan. 1.-(Special. )--An important conference of the House and Senate leaders was held with the Pres ident at the White House yesterday afternoon.
 Among those present were Senator Allison. Chairman of the Appropria- tions Committee, Senator Aldrich. Chairman of the Finance Committee. and Senators Spooner and Platt of Connecticut. members of the Finance Committees: Speaker Cannon, Represen- tative Payne. floor leader of the ma jority and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committed; Representatives DaIzell and Grosvenor, members of the Ways and Means Committee. and tho Committee on Rules, and Representa- tive, ,,Tawney of the Ways and Means Committee and the party whip in tho lower house.
 At tho conclusion of the conference. The, Advertiser correspondent inter- viewed a number of those present from whom he gleaned the following infor- nation.
 The conference was called by the President for the purpose of learning the views of tho leaders of tho House and Senate with respect to tariff leg islation.
 Not Matter of Impulse.
 This action on his part was not 3 matter of impulse. It had been care fully thought out and notice had been served on the leaders. prior to tho holiday recess, that they would be ask ed to meet and confer with the Presi- dent. upon tho re-assembling of Con- gress, for the purpose of obtaining their views on subjects deemed by the President to be of paramount interest. It was ascertained that at yesterdays conference of the Republican leaders. but one subject Was discussed; that was the subject of tariff revision.
 The matter of railroad rebates was not broached nor brought up in any way. The conference was opened by Senator Allison who advocated caution In approaching the subject of revising the tariff but who did not commit him-' self either way regarding the effect on the party of any action likely to be taken.
 He was followed by Speaker Cannon. who resolutely stood out for leaving we'll enough alone and opposed any action. at this time in the metter of tarift revision.
 Congressional Inquiry.
 The discussion that followed them became general, the gist of the opin- ion being that 1t would be wiser tU investigate by Congressional inquiry. the needs of such changes as might be decreed necessary in the tariff sched- ules before the matter is formally ta- ken up by Congress and considered. It was held that while it might be ad- vIsable to place upoE tho free list pro- ducts which wero now dutiable. 1t might also be advisable to include in the dutiable list articles which were now admitted free.
 In other words, an investigation should be made of the conditions grow ing out of the changes that have taken place since the Dingley law was en- acted, and the tariff should be made to conform to these new conditions.
 There was no talk of reduction of the tariff for the simple purpose of in- creasing the revenue. This was not discussed in any way.
 The President listened attentively to all that was said without committing himself or indicating what were or were not his views. If the President proposes to be guided by the opinions of the party leaders then there will be no extra session, if 1t be his pur- pose to call Congress in extraordinary session to consider the matter of tariff revision for it will probably take several months to make the proposed investigation.
 If, on the other hand. he purposes to act independently of the leaders. an extra session of Congress will be called immediately upon the expiration of the present session. Nobody present at to- days session could say whether or not Congress would be convened in extra session. The President had noth- ing to say.
 It Is understood that further confer ences are to be held by the President with the Republican members of the House and Senate on this and other subjects in the near future.
 R. w. Watkins.