The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-07-14
THE TARIFF BILL
NOW HINGES ON
SIX MORE VOTES
This Number Added to the
Protestants Will Defeat the
Conference Report
PUBLIC OPINION DIVIDED ON
HIGH AMO LOW REVISION

Free Hides Is One of the Things Up.
on Which the President May Insist.
House Will Probably Insist on tho
Dollar Lumber Rate.
Washington, July 14.-The tariff
conference is in full blast. Two
weeks or more are expected to be
occupied in reaching an agreement
upon the controverted question be-
tween the two houses. The time that
will be spent by either house in de-
batting the conference report, of
course, depends upon the character
OF the concessions made, chiefly with
respect to the reductions in rates be-
low the line fixed by the senate re.
vision bill. If substantial concessions
are made by the senate conferees,
that result will have the effect of car
rying the tariff bill through the sen.
ate promptly. and facilitate the pas.
sage Of the measure in the house.
While the conference committees
are at work ther evil be from time
to time, intimations of the progress
mads. and such changes as have been
agreed upon, especially with respect
controversy. At the same time, there
will be conferences. fully as import
ant, in progress between the members
of both houses, and already it ia
known that the friends OF lower du.
ties from the eastern states are con-
ferring for the purpose of ascertain
Ing what concessions must be obtain
ed by the house, not only to insure
the full Republican strength on the
vote In the senate.
1t Is an interesting fact that the
members from the western states
whose senator's votes against the tar
lff bill have now set before them q
mark by which to determine just
what concessions must be made in
order to satisfy the downward re.
vision sentiment, as it is represented
by the advocates OF lower duties in
lhe senate!
The Parliamentary Situation.
Attention is called to the strategic
Importance of the parliamentary sit
uation as affecting the interests OF
those who hope to force lower duties
IN the final adjustment of the tariff
bill. The fact that the senate accom-
panied its passage of the bill with a
request for conference, and that
this was promptly acceded to by the
house, Is declared to give the friends
of lower duties among the members
Df the house an important advantage.
The senate will be required first to
pass upon whatever conference re-
port shall be agreed upon by the COM
a1ittee. Opportunity thus will be giv-
An the western members to watch the
course of the western senators who
objected to the bill on its final pas.
sage in that body.
In addition to this advantage claim
ed by the friends of lower duties, they
are also fully satisfied that they have
1he sympathy, II not the direct sup.
port, Of President Taft, whose infiu-
ence, SO far as it shall be exerted at
all in the deliberations of the confer
lnce, is expected to be on the side Of
The lower duties of the Payne bill.
Upon the most important items In
controversy, namely, the raw mater.
lals which were placed on the frea
list, or subjected to sharp reductions
in duties by the Payne bill, it is the
understanding Of the house members
that President Taft is anxious to Sc.
cure the house rate of 81 per 1000 on
rough lumber and the reductions
made on finished lumber by the sen.
ate bill. Also, that President Taft 10
with the eastern manufacturers in
the demand for free hides.
In these hours of recess enjoyed by
senators and representatives, facts
are being brought to the attention of
those who have been here during the
greater part of the session by their
colleagues who had opportunity to
visit their homes during the house
recess. It is interesting to note the
conflicting opinions brought back by
these members as a result of their
observations.
Some of the members are insisting.
particularly those from the Mississip-
pi valley, that the country is welded
to the lower duties of the Payne bill,
and will object strenuously to all in
creases that are contained In the SEN
ate bill. Expressions along these
lines are not only brought to the at
tention of the house during the de.
bate on the rule sending the tariff to
conference, but 1t constitutes the
chief factor in conferences now going
on between the members Of both
houses.
The situation from the Republican
standpoint ia said to be particularly
serious in Kansas. Minnesota. Wiscon-
sin and Iowa. The Nebraska Repub-
licans also said to be badly "shot to
pieces" and predictions are now free
" made that the chances favor the
election of Democratic senator's at
least in Nebraska and Minnesota.
A western Republican who has
spent the last few weeks In his dis
trict and in other sections Of the west
brings back the report that II the con-
ference committee shall agree upon G
tariff bill more In line with the pro.
visions of the senate than Of the house
i