Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-11
TAFT DECLARES
TARIFF REVISION
WILL BE HONEST
PRESIDENT ELECT C0NFERS
WITH C0NGRESSMEN
ASSERTS CHANGES IN LAW WILL
BE BENEFICIAL
Next Head of Nation Indicates He
Will Use Veto Power if Neces-
sary to Keep Partys
Pledges
[By Associated Press !

AT ASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-William
w H. Taft said tonight it was his
belief that the house would
make an honest and thorough revision
of the tariff at the extra session which
he will call for that purpose.
This belief he bases on a conference
he had with Speaker Cannon yesterday
and in a session today with the Re-
publican mombers of the ways and
means committee.
Mr.. Taft said he had not as yet con-
suited with senators on the subject, in
dicating the tremendous pressure upon
his time as the reason.
When the suggestion was made that
the senate undoubtedly would have
something to do with the tariff bill he
replied with no uncertainty in his de-
meanor that there was someone else
who also would have something to do
with the bill, which interpreted through
the medium of previous utterances
indicates clearly that Mr.. Taft is deter
mined even to the exercise of veto
power to execute the party's pledges.
Mr.. Taft dictated statement which
covered his interview, late today, with
the Republican members of the COM
mittee. with the exception of Repre-
sentatives Mccall of Massachusetts
and Crumpacker of Indiana. With the
latter Mr. Taft had a satisfactory in
terVleW at Hot Springs.
He was asked the substance of the
interview he had yesterday with the
speaker. His reply was that Mr.. can
non had said he was in favor of an
honest and thorough revision OF the
tariff in accordance with party prom
ises.
II had an interview with Mr.. Cannon
Yesterday" said Mr.. Taft, land with
his concurrence and at the suggestion
of a member of the ways and means
committee with the Republican mem
bers of that committee this afternoon.
From my conversation with them
and with the discussion that followed
as to the examination which they are
conducting and expect to conduct, l
have every reason to be confident that
they are keenly alive to the obligation
which is on them as representatives
elected to represent the Republican
party. to prepare an honest and thor
ough revision of the present tariff;
that they have taken three times as
much evidence as has ever been taken
in the preparation of other tariffs and
that they are going to make additional
investigation by the use of subpoenas
under oath, with a view to reaching
the differences in the cost of produc-
tion of the various articles brought
within the tariff here and abroad,
1.-THE plan is to prepare a bill on
such evidence as they have and Will
have in the course of the hearings,
and then to call for additional evil
dence as to the items whenever 1T
should seem necessary.
Not only from conversation with the
members together but with the mem
hers individually, 1 am convinced they
are. in good faith, going to prepare a
bill which shall be a thorough re-
vision on the basis Of the Republican
platform.
"The discussion covered other things,
like the Philippine tariff, and I am
hopeful that there will be no ditt1culty
in reaching an agreement between the
various people represented-those rep
resenting the Philippine islands and
those representing the sugar and TO-
bacco interests. so that the matter may
be Incorporated in the new tariff. :"