The Washington times., 1909-08-06
Tariff LaborS End With
Signing of Bill by
President.
IN HAPPY MOOD
AFTER CEREMONIES
Leaders Discuss Political Condi-
tons Likely to Arise From
Bill-Taft Jocular.
BY John SNUPE.

With their arduous labOrs of the spe-
cial session ended and the tariff law
In actual operation, Senators and Rep
resentatfves are busily engaged today
in rushing to their homes and scurry-
ing to the seashore and tie lakes and
mountains in search of rest
The exodus from Washington began
last night. even before the final ad-
jOurnment of the two houses It con-
tinued throughout today. and will be
on for several days to come. The
Union Station today was crowded with
outgoing members Of Congress and their
families, and with departing officials
and employees of Congress
Regardless Of views as to the merits
OF the tariff bill. there is a deep feeling
OF relief on all hands that the bin has
been passed ana the special session is
over. 1t has been a tiresome session
for the participants, and the repeated
and unexpected delays, with the con
tinual wrangling IN and out of con-
feTences, have got on the nerves of
the members Of both houses.
When the special session opened
March 10, there were only a few of the
pessimistic who ventured to predict that
Congress would be here unta August.
Many there were who thought the spe-
cial session would be ended by June /
Others were faithfully satisfied that the
middle or the end Of June -ould see
the tariff bill a law.
President Is Pleased.
The three men who are probably the
most pleased that the long night is over
are President Taft. Senator Aldrich,
chairman of the Finance Committee:
and Chairman Payne. head of the WAYS
and Means Committee. For a year.
Messrs. Aldrich and Payne have been
doing little else than work at tariff
and think about tariff
The new law went into effect at mid
night. Thus, were avoided some of the
complications which have arisen in con-
nection with previous tariff measures
which have gone into effect at the
moment passed. or the moment the sig
nature of the President was attached.
1t was sos yesterday afternoon when
the President attached his signature
70 the tariff bill He signed II ia the
Presidents room, in the Senate end Of
the Capitol. in the presence OF a large
gathering Of distinguished officials All
the members OF the Cabinet witnessed
the signing, with the exception of Sec
rotary Ballinger, who is out Of the city
Many mem DeFs OF Congress looked an.
About the same time, the Presto Z
signed other bills awaiting his siguA-
ture, and among them the bill revising
the tariff for the Philippine Islands
He signed the Philippines bill three
minutes after the tartn measure had
been signed.
Warm Greeting At Capitol.
The President reached the Capitol at
4:45. This is the first time he has Wis
tied that establishment since a certain
stormbound day last March. when he
reluctantly was compelled to attend his
own Inauguration ceremonies inside the
Capitol instead of outside Of It. On that
occasion the President was not in the
best Of spirits. But he was Tn a happy
frame Of mind at being able 10 throw
the responsibility for further considera-
ton Of the tariff question off his
shoulders. He was accompanied to the
Capitol by his private secretary, Fred
". Carpenter. by NJ c. Latta, assistant
secretary, and by Capt. Archibald w.
Butt, his military aide. As he went
along the corridor TO the President g
room, many members Of Congress shook
hands with him. He remained in the
Presidents room until $50, and most Of
the time, when not signing bills was
engaged in shaking hands and exchang-
ing sallies with the members Of both
houses who crowded In TO greet him.
Everyone remarked that the President
was fairly bubbling over with good
spirits.
The pen used IN signing the docu-
ment which viii become historic was
supplied by Chairman Payus OF the