Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-21

w bill today was transferred bodily
from the capitol to the White
House.
Deadlocked because of the attitude
OF Representative Payne, who appar-
emily has become convinced he is IN
the minority, the conferees abandoned
the usual afternoon session, and SEN
ator Aldrich and Speaker Cannon went
TO the White House to consult with
President Taft, literally taking the tar
if bill with them.
What happened between the presi-
dent and the senate and house leaders
is a sealed book. When Senator Aid
rich and Speaker Cannon returned TO
the capitol they minimized differences
that had aroused bitterness In the con-
ference room, and insisted that nothing
unusual had occurred.
Senator Aldrch said tomorrow would
find the conference committee again at
work, and he expected by night, when
all the conferees were to be entertained
by the president at dinner, most of the
problems would have been solved.
Nevertheless, there has been trouble.
Some say the differences between MI
Aldrich and Mr.. Payne have taken such
form that progress is impossible unless
the president has influence enough 10
compel action.
Payne and Fordney Clash
1T Is not Qenleu llldL Ailtit wac ~ Ni'A''''
yesterday between Representatives
PAYNE and Fordncy of Michigan.
From a credible source 1t was learned
that a crisis was reached when an Ell
fort was made late yesterday TO vote
on the lumber schedule Mr.. Payne
protested, arguing that such move
would be unfair to the president, as
this was one of the subjects practically
submitted to him for adjustment, pro-
vided he could get votes enough IN the
two houses to adopt compromise rates
''If we cannot agree let's settle the
question by voting" Mr.. Fordhey ls
reported to have suggested
II is said Mr.. Aidrich agreed.
That Mr.. Payne had little part in
selecting the conferees to represent the
house is well known. Mr.. Payne maze
recommendations that were ignored
and the speaker made his own selec-
tion. Mr. Payne is said to nave com
plained that the conference committee
had been packed" with high protec-
Payne Protests
When Mr.. Fordney said Let's vote"
Mr.. Payne protested with vehemence
that startled his associates. Some one
said the majority should rule That
remark it Is declared, came from one
of the senate members of the confer
ence, and it incensed Mr.. Payne still
more.
Mr. Payne told Mr. Aldrich he could
vote the senate members of the con-
ference If he chose, but he could not
vote the house members so easily.
Full of wrath, he told his house coll
leagues it was their duty to stand up
for the house bill. Mr.. Payne is re-
ported to have said he would not sign
n conference report merely because a
majority of the house Republican con-
ferees had agreed to it. Then he stalked
angrily from the room.
The twenty-three Republicans of the
house who called on President Taft re-
Gently to plead with him to recede from
his position in favor of free raw ma
teria1s. were considerably alarmed when
thev learned of Chairman Payne's ac-
tion.
Minority Will Support Republicans
The possible attitude of the house
Democrats interested them greatly. 1t
was said if President Taft and Repre-
sentative Payne were successful in OBJ
tanning a conference report, carrying
out the free raw material program,
large number of the minority would be
founl supporting the twenty-three Re-
publicans if they decided to vote
against the conference report.
A conference of the progressive Re
publicans in the senate was held today
Immediately after the senate adjourned.
The meeting lasted nearly two hours,
and there was manifest a disposition to
criticise President Taft for not issuing
his statement earlier.
Senator Dolliver said: "The Repub-
licans who were unable to vote for the
pending tariff bill when it passed the
senate have been greatly pleased and
encouraged by the efforts of the presi-
dent to change the character Of the
measure. 1t is our earnest hope he will
be successful In securing real revision"
Democratic senators said today that
Senator McEnery will be the only MEM
ber of the senate minority who will
vote for the conference report.
Differences Arise
The difficulty experienced by the
leaders of the house and senate in get
ting sufficient votes to carry through a
modified form of the presidents free
raw material platform was augmented
today through the development of seri-
Gus differences in the conference room
over the large number of important
schedules that have not been disposed
of by the conferees. The conference
has given its attention almost entirely
to the dutiable list leaving it to the
leaders of both houses and the presi-
dent to determine the course of action
with regard to the free raw material
COnlION6IoJ'
The conference adjourned until to-
morrow in order that the conferees
might have more time to look into the
questions involved in the consideration
of the schedules that are unsettled.
Wide differences Of opinion were en-
countered in today's deliberations and
little progress was made.
The fact that Chairman Payne was
not ut the White House conference,
which was participated in by Senator
Aldrich Rnd Speaker Cannon this after
noon, was a subject of comment, but
1t was declared that this omission sig
nifed Mr.. Payne was working in
thorough accord with the president
and did not need to be called in.
Votes Soon VIII Be Taken
No votes have been taken but when
business began today ii was understood
that that stage must soon be reached.
Continued on Page TwOl