New-York tribune., 1908-08-23
WILL CALL CONGRESS
TO REVISE TARIFF
UR TAFT ANNOUNCES HIS
INTENTION.
Special Session as Soon A fter March
4 as Possible Keep Repub-
Ecan Platform Pledge.
rBv telegraph 10 Th- Tribune. J


will. if elected President, call Congress IN special
session TO revise the tariff after March
as is practicable doubtless within two weeks
from thar date This declaration was made oy
the Republican candidate to-day. when asked IL
he would make speech on the tariff. the ques-
ton being caused by Mr Bryan's address On
that subject Mr.. Tafts statement follows:
If elected I shall call the s1st Congress to-
eether in extraordinary session 20 revise tho
TarfT al the very earliest moment I have
thority 10 do so. consider such action 20 De
my obligation under the tariff plank OF the Re-
publican platform
Mr. Taft said he believed hts views the
tariff were well known. that as long ago as
September 5, 1905 speaking at Bath, Me- he
had declared II TO be his personal conviction
that the time was ripe for a readiustment OF ths
tariff schedules and had expressed couhdence
that tariff revision sentiment in the Republican
party was growing so rapidly that the time was
not far distant when q plan would be adopted
and the work undertaken Events had tustihed
his prediction and the Republican national plat
form declared in favor OF the special session OF
Congress which he means 10 call He has never
changed his views since he spoke at Bath Ths
sentiment within the party has grown rapidly
and has found concrete expression in the plat
form and now the candidate declares MS de-
termination to call Congress together II special
session 10 undertake and complete this import
ant work next spring
WORK FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEES.
It is. Of course true that the Senate author-
lied it's Committee on Finance 70 meet IN the
recess of Congress and take such testimony as
it deemed wise with view 10 a revision OF the
tariff schedules. and that the House took ths
same action with regard 70 its Committee on
Ways and Means. 1t is also true. however thac
many people believe that. had the stand pat
ters" won at Chicago. such testimony would nOe
have been taken and no one could have urged
DELINQUENCY on the part OF the committees OF
Congress because they we're merely authorized
and not instructed 70 undertake the preliminary
work. The definite declaration Of Mr.. Taft.
however removes all possible question. and with
that in mind the Congress committees viii
doubtless undertake their labors IN earnest as
soon as the election is In making this
definite declaration Judge Taft clearly demon
strated his fearIessness and his determination 20
do his part 10 carry the pledges OF rhs
party platform
The unanimous vote OF the Chicago convention
for the tariff revision plank demonstrated be-
yond peradventure the sentiment within ths
party and the overwhelming vote for Mr. TAFT.
who had publicly committed himself 10 the poll
ley over two years before, cInched it, Now.
bv his precise and unequivocal declaration OF
purpose. Mr. Taft has proved the sincerity %
his purpose and the strength Of his detsrmiua-
ton live up 10 the platform pledge
Mr. Taft's advisers believe that this declara-
ton will greatly dishearten the Bryanites. for
their chief stock in trade is the tariff With
the Republican party committed to early tari1c
revision and the candidate pledged 70 call the
necessary special session Of Congress imnedi-
ateIv after he is inaugurated. the Democrats
have only methods to discuss, and any attempt
thev may make to convince the voters that their
party is competent TO revise the schedules VIII
recall "the Wilson-Gorrnan hybrid which the
Democracy enacted on the one occasion when
1t was fntrusted with this responsible under
taking; when. in fact. II had been returned to
power solely because Of its promise TO conduct
an intelligent and consistent revision Of the
schedules. So badly did the party then perform
its duty that its President Mr. Cleveland.
refused TO sign the measure for which Messrs-
Wilson and German were responsible. and so
disa strous to the country were its consequences
that never since have the people been willing 20
irltrust the Democracy with any important duty
Under these circumstances. IL is believed that
Mr. Bryan may make tariff speeches galors
without result
MEYER FAvORS HUGHES
Postmaster General Meyer arrived at Hot
Springs to-day for the week end but said that
his visit was not Of political significance When
asked about his conference with the President.
when the denomination Of Governor Hughes was
under discussion. Mr. Meyer said that his pres
euce at thar time was merely coincidence and
that he could not speak for the President or for
Mr. Taft on the subject but. expressing his
personal opinion he had hesitation IN saying
that he regarded Governor Hughes as the logical
candidate and believed he would carry New
York and add strength the national ticket
clifford Pfnchot National Forester. also spent
the Gav at Hot Springs but said that he was noe
here 20 talk politics. Speaking OF his work IN
connection wiz The national resources commit
tee Mr. Pinchot said that il the hope OF the
experts on the committee 70 complete their in
ventory Of the nations natural resources IN time
for submission 20 the President by January /
All the experts in the government service and
many others are employed in preparing this in
vertory which win show the extent Of ths de-
posits of minerals. the power capacity Of the
streams the waste by foods and lack OF drain
age and kindred facts associated with the
nations resources Before the report is sub
u7itted 70 the President there viii be held IN
Washington early in December conference OF
Governors or their representatives TO pass on
The work OF the committee and approve the
port in its final form. Mr.. PiachOt said he
came 10 consult Mr. Taft regarding the work OF
the committee.
SAYS CALIFORNIA Is SAFE.
Mr.. Pinchot. when asked for political info-na-
ton said he knew only OF the conditions in Cali
foruia where everything pointed To an over