The Washington herald., 1909-06-07
EXPECT CONFEREES
TO LOWER TARIFF
Hint by MacVeagh Confirms
Senator's Suggestions.
ALDRIcH MAY SATISFY TAFT
Reports Indicate Senate Conference
Committee VIII Make ConcessiOns
That VIII ApDease ClamOr for
Downward Revision-The Leaders
WOzid Eliminate Income Tax.

When Franklin 0facveagh. Secretary Of
the Treasury. declared IN his Chicago
speech Saturday night that the forthcou-
ing tarln revision would be OF such a
character that the people would accept
Il. he gave confirmation 10 hints and
suggestions that have come from proni-
nent Republican Senator'S that before the
pending bill was placed on the statute
books il would be subject 10 important
changes. which would so a long way to-
ward satisfying many OF those who con-
tend that the tendency OF the Senate
measure is upward rather than down
ward.
Careful observers. in spite of discourag-
ing happenings. have not lost sight OF the
fact that Senator Aldrich. who dominates
and controls the Republican majority OF
the Upper House in It's consideration q
the pending bin, IS not actuated merely
by a devotion 10 the cause of protection,
but has a decided interest IN retaining
the Republican party IN power
Mr.. Aldrich is too shreWd 10 overlook
the possibiIities OF Republican reverses,
50 his friends say. and 10 devote himself
bllndly 20 the idea that American indus
tries must be given ample and adequate
tariG protection in the face OF q wide
spread sentiment in the country that the
protection proposed is entirely TOO great
Some OF those who claim 10 know what
the Senate programme IS. insist that
when the taTin bin Is given over into the
hands Of the Joint conference committee
OF the Senate and the House. the Senate
conferees. with Mr.. Aldrich al their head.
VIII be prepared 70 make concessions
which will have a satisfying effect on
those who style themselves Republican
proEessives.
Must Keep Pledge.
Others contend that whether or not It
Is a wise thing TO DO. the Republican
party. through the utterances OF its can
didate for President In 1865. committed
itself 70 a policy of downward revision,
and must make good Us pledge
No man in Congress keeps tab more
closely on popular opinion than does Mr..
Aldrich. and no man is better aware OF
the attitude Of the President and the
Federal administration toward the PRES
ent tariff controversy. That Mr.. Taft Is
not IN sympathy with anything that
tends toward upward tarih revision Is
well known in Congress.
To no one IN the legislative branch Of
the government is Il better known than
% M Aldrich The disposition OF the
: Senate leaders. which, OF course. includes
Mr. Aldrich. and the House leaders as
wei. Is 10 work in perfect harmony with
Mr. Taft Nothing has occurred 10
throw doubt on this disposition on their
( part: in fact. they make no bones OF
saying that they intend 70 give every
Z assistance 20 the President and show al
/ proper Difference 20 his wishes IN order
I TO make his administration a complete,
/ even brilliant success.
In these circumstances Il wOuld not be
surprising 70 those who have some
/ knowledge OF what IS in the minds OF
\ the Senate leaders 20 see the tariff BIZ
/ changed so materially In conference with
] the consent OF the Senate leaders. tha:
/ even The downward revisionists will fee
obliged to modify the criticism which
/ they may be expected 70 make II present
/ tendencies in the Senate continue.
\ Mr. Taft would like 10 see a tariff bill
/ placed on the statute books that would
( embody all the reductions in rates OF tbs
I House hiu and the Senate bin, and none
/ Of the Increases OF either. He realizes
probably that this IS too much 70 ex
pect. but the very knowledge that he
/ holds 20 that view is bound 20 have 8
decided effect on the attitude wsieh the
representatives Of the Senate viii main
tain IN the conference committee.
1 That the Senate will not conform q
I Mr Tafts wish. that the forthcoming
tariff act shall provide for graduated
tax on inheritances. IS fixed and final
SHOULD the Republican insurgents. by
combination with the Democrats OF TIT
Senate. force an income tax provision
into the biu the Republican leaders vii
find a way OF eliminating this provision
before the measure becomes a law.