The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-21
CANNON AND ALDRICH
 OPPOSE A REDUCTION
Andrew Carnegie Threatens to Throw a Bomb Into the Republican Camp By Advocating Removal of
 Tariff on Steel Products.
By wATTERsoN sTEALEY.

Washington, November 20.-(special.)- That Judge Taft is in favor of de- gree of honesty in tarinf revision that re- ceves no encouragement from the present House leaders is the basis of reports that he is opposed to the reelection of Speak CT Cannon, according to information from Hot Springs.
 That the judge has been considering the advisability of opposing the speaker is clear, but it remains doubtful that he will adopt this course. As heretofore stated it is improbable that even with the power of the administration he could defeat Cannon and in the second place it would result in a split between the White House and capitol at the threshold of his administration. Those who have talked with Judge Taft on the tariff question say that in nearly every sched- ule he Is in favor of a reduction of the tariff.
 Not In Sympathy.
 It is plain that Cannon and his organ ization is not; hence. 1t is pointed out that Judge Taft would like to have a House organization in full sympathy with him on the most important piece of legis- lation of the early days of his admin istration But even in the improbable event that Taft could defeat the speak CT, the difficulty has only commenced. To carry out his policy he would be compelled to wage against Senator Al drich. the chairman of the Senate finance committee, the same kind of war that he had on Cannon. No comment is nec- essary on such an unprofitable course.
 It is believed here what Judge Taft is really after is a concession from Speak CT Cannon and the organization to reduce rates a little more than is now con templated.
 There is ground for the hope that an agitation of the subject may give ths < country lower tariff than the hearings before the committee indicate.
 There has been a suspicion here for some time that the republican congress sional leaders are fostering the reports that the Payne bill will. if anything, in- crease the Dingley rates. Then when the new bill becomes law with immaterial reductions it will be heralded as a great concession to the revisionists, almost free trade.'
 Disquieting News.
 Very disquieting news reached the hide bound standpatters on the ways and means committee today. It was to the effect that Andrew Carnegie, whose wealth has been amassed by the tariff. is conscience stricken and has prepared A magazine article which will expose the iniquity of the steel schedule.
 Several times in the last few months MT. Carnegie has given utterance to expressions which intimated very strong ly that he believes the entire tariff on steel could now be removed without dam- aging the American industry, It is said that the forthcoming article will take this position and set forth in detail the argu- ments which have convinced MT. Car negie
 If the report is borne out by the pub lication of such an article it will un- doubtedly create tremendous stir among the standpatters It will be especially good reading for John Dalzell, the rank ing member of the ways and means com mittee of the House and great high priest of protection. particularly on the steel and iron schedules.
 Democrats who have heard the rumor are in high glee over it. Ammunition from such a source will be most accept able in their fight against the tariff.