The Washington herald., 1907-02-19
REPLY Sent TO GUILD
President Tells Governor Pc
titiOn Will Be Considered.
REVISIONISTS FEEL SIGHTED
They Hear That Mr.. Roosevelt Is
Largely Responsible for Treatment
of Petitions for Revision Caucus.
Most of Massachusetts Republicans
i'm Congress Are Lukewarm.

Republican revisionists in Congress feel
sighted by President RooseveIts reply
10 the petition Of Gov. Guild, Of Mas
sachusetts, for a special session OF Con-
gress TO. make changes in the existing
tariff schedules. The text of the re-
ply as sent to Boston yesterday was not
made public. but 1t is understood TO be
/ brief and polite, acknowledging. in the
formal language so often employed in Of
fetal Washington. that the petition will
be given consideration
That alone would not have caused great
disappointment No one here who is we'll
Informed doubts the Presidents SYM
pathy with tariff revision or that. by the
argument Of eXpedenCy. he has been won
over by the standpatter to acquiesce in
their programme for the remainder Of
his administration. But it developed yes
terday that the President has very re-
Gently been throwing cold water on the
revision agitation, and TO a large degree
is responsible for the failure Of move
ments 10 have a caucus Of House Repub-
| leans called for the purpose OF cOnsid-
ering the matter OF revision
1t is said that as fast as petitions for
such caucus we're pressed upon Western
Republicans, they FASTENED 10 the White
House 10 ask the President what they
should do. Among these inquirers from
the Northwest was Representative Taw-
Dey. OF Minnesota who at times has been
enthusiastic for revision ia spite Of his po-
sition as chairman Of the Appropriations
Committee and first lieutenant 20 Speaker
Cannon.
The President has counseled the West
eraers against assuming an aggressive
policy. On the ground that there IS not
yet force enough in the popular sentiment
for revision 10 bring the House and Sen
ate leaders 10 act with other questions
TO the fore. the President pointed
out. revision would better be ignored for
the present As the Northwestern Repub-
licans are among the Presidents most
loyal followers. 81 is little wonder that
they have given the petition circulated by
Mr. Ames. Of Massachusetts. and others.
a negative answer.
Massachusetts Men LukewaTm.
Something OF stir has been caused
among the revisi0uists By the discovery
that the Massachusetts Republicans. with
the exception OF Mr.. Ames and Mr. Nc
Gail. apparently have taken their cue
from the President. just as the North
western men have done. II is an open
secret in Washington that nearly ali Of
the Massachusetts, delegation have lock
ed upon the Guild petition with indlffer-
cnce, often mentioning IL as a jest. They
have been unwilling 10 make anything
like a determined fight in the face Of the
intrenchod opposition. As result. they
day with some satisfaction being OF the
opinion that it win have the effect OF
quieting the agitation for a special ses-
sion.
In deciding TO embody in his reply no
reason why on extra session could not
be called. President Roosevelt Is said
"a have followed the advice Of Senator
Crane. Of Massachusetts. Senator Lodge
thought there should have been a more
or less extended reply II was only
difference OF opinion. and not a disagree
ment between the two Senators. how
eye-.
The Presidents conviction that revision
IS not feasible during his administration
is very positive. tic feels certain that
Congress will not revise the tariff II
he should call a special session. The
maximum and minimum plan appeals 10
MN, out he Is willing TO allow 81 tariff
questions to go over 20 the Sixty-hrst
Congress. As The Republicans would not
tn any case revise the tariff at the long
session Of Congress next winter. Just be-
fore the Presidential campaign. this post
ponement seems 10 him to be the only
way. In the national contest the Repub-
liCans can decide whether they wish to
put for ward revision by the friends OF
protection as an issue.
The President viii not make his reply To
Gov. Guild public, but the governor is
expected 20 give it out in Boston.