The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-08-28

WAS . member Of tho ways and means
committee thAk repealed the NdsIn1ey
Law and substituted the WilsonsAor-
gan tree trade measure. which para
lyxeds the industries OF tho country. de-
1stroyed the market for all farm pro
ducts and pauperixed labor. At the
end Of this period. Mr.. Gompers said
In his annual report to the Federation
OF labor. that It was darkest period
organized labor had known for gem
erations."
Optimistical political information
vas brought to Nj. TAFT from several
sources today. Though he participate
ed In several conferences none Of
them, he said, was at his initiative.
Senator Albert J. Hopkins, OF Illinois,
who has been In Washington to attend
the meeting Of the bureaus committee
on the joint tarif commission, wanted
Mr.. Taft to be present September 9.
at the Republican state convention at
Springfield, Illinois. "A platform Is to
be adopted Al this convention.
II Mr.. Taft would attend, Mr.. Hop
'kins said. arrangements would be
made to open the state campaign at
that time. The national candidate,
however, said It would be impossible
for him to accept the invitation, but
II q speechmaking tour for Mr.. Taft
is decided upon, Illinois will be In
cluded.
Senator McCumber Of North Dako-
Ia, bringing with him James Kennedy.
Republican national committeeman
from that state, were unannounced
visitors.
Speaking for his state, as well as
for Minnesota, Mr.. McCumber predict
ed that very little, II any change would
be found in the electoral votes. It has
been demonstrated. therefore, he said,
that state issues and local differences
in the party had little. II any. effect
on the national situation.
Senator Hopkins, who is chairman Of
a subcommittee Of the tariR commits
sion having to do with the schedules
on articles Of import which come into
competition with American manufact-
urers,. said he should call his commits.
sion into action soon. The tariff. he
believed, would develop into the chief
issue Of the campaign. It was also his
opinion that the revision to be en-
acted at a special session Of congress
would result In the reduction Of many
schedules, and the adoption Of 9 max.
imum and minimum tariR which would
include in the latter class q sufficient
number Of articles to make this meth.
cd of dealing with foreign nations as
much more effective than is the pres
ent Dingley tarih.
Mr.. Hopkins believes the Republic
can national and state tickets will be
successful in Illinois to the extent Of
100, 900 majority, although he comedies
that Mr.. Gompers may turn some labor
votes to Bryan.
While the announcement cannot be
definitely made, Mr.. Taft today gave
1t as his belief that Wade H. Ellis. at
torney general OF Ohio. will accept the
position as assistant to the attorney
general, I o succeed Milton D. Purdy
who has been promoted to the attor
ney generalship in Minnesota.
This opinion was expressed after q
conference between Mr.. Ellis and Mr.
Taft here today. Mr.. Ellis preferred
not to make q statement at this time
He came here after aconference with
Attorney General Bonaparte at Len
OK, Mass, and said that he had entire
ly recovered his health. He was Of
fered the position shortly after the
Chicago convention.