Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-05-30
MAY REACH CONGRESS
American Protective Tariff League
Has Taken Up Fight on Secretary
Taft and Favors Some Man oppos-
ed to Drastic Revision.
Washington Bureau of

nectton with the nomination Of the
republican candidate for president. 1t
is not improbable that it will come
up in congress next winter and that
steps will be taken to have an investi-
cation of schedules.
From the present indications, the
tariff revision question is likely to cut
a large figure in the pre-convention
campaign in the republican ranks for
the presidential nomination than 1t
will in the election. The American
Protective Tariff league is showing
symptoms of activity in opposition to
Secretary Taft and in favor of some
man who will be opposed to drastic
revision. The league Is understood to
as Cannon, Fairbanks or Foraker,
either Of whom stands in conserve
tive attitude toward revision. Speaker
Cannons recent conference with Of
f1cials Of the American Protective
Tariff league at It's offices in New
York has served to make 1t clear that
he and the league are not far apart
in their tariff IDEAS Indeed Mr.. Can
mons continuous attitude In congress
toward revision has been such as to
emphasize his attachment to the
standpat doctrine Of letting the Ding
ley schedules alone. Within recent
weeks, Vice President Fairbanks and
Senator Foraker have also had con-
ference with offlcials Of the same
organization. Senator Knox, as well
as Cannon, Fairbanks Foraker and
Shaw, are looked on as men who would
be satisfactory to the interests bound
"n tcoether in the American Protec-
tive Tariff League. Secretary Taft
on the other hand has spoken out
cacy of the Philippine tariff bill has
come into collision with many high
protection interests. Secretary Root
has incurred much the same enmity
as Secretary Taft because Of the at
titude he has taken, about concluding
the recent agreement with Germany.
Last winter, after conferences
among republican leaders in the
house and senate, it was determined
to postpone tariff revision until after
March 4, 1909, the beginning of the
next presidential administration 1t
was decided to take revision up at that
time and to make q definite promise
to do 80 in the republican platform
of 1908. President Roosevelt gave as
sent to this program. But while the
leaders got together on this general
program, there is wide variance of
opinion as to what should be accom-
plished by revision in 1909. There
might be such a revision as would
reduce schedules on a large number
Of important articles and there might
be a smaller number of readjustments
that would really amount to but nonli-
nal lowering Of the tariff. In this is con-
tanned the reasons why the American
Protective Tariff league is already
showing deep interest in the presi-
Dental campaign. The revisionists
and friends Of reciprocity will no
doubt be quite as active on the other
side before the diminishing for 1908
has progressed much further.
With man in the White House
anxious for pronounced revision of
the tariff, as Secretary Taft Is under
stood to be, congress would be forcsd
to go much further in reduction of
schedules that it would be II more
conservative man were president.
White House pressure on congress ,s
not a influence to be overlooked these
days. Knowing 1t will no doubt make
great deal of difference In the re-
vision Of schedules whether a man
like Taft or one like Cannon is in
the presidential chair, it is not to be
wondered at that the standpatters and
reyisionists are getting active. Sugar
f,tA
that have been opposing the lowering
of the tariff on goods brought from
the Philippines. are well aware that
with Secretary Taft in the White
House he would exert an influence
that it would be extremely hard to
resist toward getting the legislation
he wants enacted.
Revision sentiment among the re-
publicans in congress is considerable,
though 1t has not manifested it's
strength openly of late in any test
against the element that wants the
schedules let alone. Next session,
however, revision sentiment is likely
to be more manifest. Strong demand
will be made for an investigation of
schedules preliminary to the expected
revision Of 1909. This was indicated
by Senator Allison in recent inter-
view. Senator Allison believes the
time is not far Off when moderate
revision must be had and he is under.
stood to favor steps the coming ses-
sion to have commission look into
the workings of existing schedules
Owing to his position as head Of the
republican steering committee and his
prominence on the finance committee,
Senator Allison, If his health permits
him, will WELD large influence 10
ward having an investigation under.
taken. There is talk, too, that the
President will exert his influence in
the same direction.
J. G. weliver.
street. 1t is his intention to, improve
the property and oCcllpy the same