New-York tribune., 1909-04-01
TO MAKE CONCESSIONS
STILL EXPECT VOTE ON
PAYNE BILL APRIL 70.
House Leaders Considering Three
Methods Of Obtaining It-Nay
Call Conference.
From The Tribune Rureau


Washington. March 91-The House leaders
still insist that they will be able to bring about
3 vote the tariff bill on April 10 as predicted
IN these dispatches TO yesterdays Tribune They
say further that the Ways and Means Commit
iee viii follow the lead of the Finance Commit
Tee and strike cut the countervailing duty on
coffee as recommended by Secretary Knox
The insistence Of Representative Tawnev that
the duty on harley be increased seems likely to
result in compromise by which the Payne bill
rate Of - cents husheI Will he raised to -,
cents. Following the advice of the President 10
remove. as far as possible. the duties on necessi-
ties the leaders are serious considering striking
out the duty on tea. 1t is hoped that with these
concessions rule can be agreed upon at a con
ference which may be called for Saturday night
Having been compelled 10 abandon their plan
10 bring in rule shutting of debate tho
tariff bill and limiting the amendments to those
reported by the Ways and Means Committee.
the House leaders are now considering three
methods Of obtaining the bul The
first Contemplates bringing in a rule 20 shut off
debate. and permitting only committee amend
rnents. except that separate votes be permitted
on the lumber hides and coal schedules. Many
Of the leaders believe that it is possible to
pledge the necessary majority OF 1876 for this
programme
The second plan is the caucus plan. An index
O. the sentiment in some delegations in favor Of
his method is furnished by the Illinois Repre-
ser-atives = ho stand two 10 one in favor of It.
The third plar is modification Of the second
one and provides fo- the caucus and the rule.
with the additions! provision that after the
caucus has decided upon the various features of
the bill the lumber and hide schedules will he
submitted for vote. Unless Republican SEN
;ir7ent solidihes within the next two days so
that the leaders can make an accurate estimate
If the strength Of the organization the confer
ence mentioned viii be called.
+ Is claimed for the third plan that 1t would
tut the Democrats on record to lumber and
hides. and. in addition. give the men from the
lumber and cattle districts a chance 10 make a
last stand IN the open House for these indus
1-ies These two schedules are the ones which |
the Democratic organization fears most to touch.
= is dangerous for the Democrats 10 vote for
free lumber and free hide. while voting against
them viii shatter the Democratic minority.
The party whips were exceedingly busy to
dav tr,ing to reconcile differences among the
members OF the Republican majority and bring
something like order out Of existing chaos Mr.
cannon as the head OF the party organization |
urged members from the different states to |
insist 7Ipor sfata. delegation Caucuses. so thar
something like definite idea could be obtained |
az TIE different views
The opposition to the caucus plan for mould |
ing : bill which viii be purely Republican |
measure arises from the fear on the part OF
some members that q caucus would be far from
harmonious. II IS even suggested that some Of
,bs r,e,,hers are 50 Tar from an agreement to |
support a rule that they would bolt caucus
rather than be bound by its decision. The party
as5e7s too are fearful that an agreement
might not be reached and that a caucus held
81 This stage would simply result in emphasiz-
ing differences within party ranks and drawing
the attention Of the country to them
The leaders who urge the caucus say that II |
VIII give some of the Representatives desired
opportunity to put up fight for the interests
of their constituents and enable them I" go
hack 10 their districts and say that they fought
but were ouroted-
PRESIDENT STILL ANXIOUS.
The situation with which the House leaders
Hpd themselves confronted continues to give
concern at the white House. It has been repre-
sent4d 10 NJ Taft. according 10 current re-
mort that the insurgents are not living up to
the letter Of the verbal agreement made with
him at the beginning Of the present session. At
that tine the insurgents. are said to have
pledged themselves not TO oppose the tariff bill
+ the Presiden. would agree TO keep his hands
Of the fight 70 revise the rules The House
leaders say. however, that the insurgents are |
not cnz opposing the bill. but are making com
binatfons with the Democrats to the extent Of |
threatening to make it extremely difficult to
r,1, the hill through in satisfactory shape.
II is said that the Ways and Means Commit
Zee NAV report an amendment which will pro
vide for q tax on all dividends from stocks and
bonds This has beer proposed as means for
raising the s1o.0oO.OOo Of revenue which it is
estimated the Payne bill would provide by the
taxes on tea and lumber
The ways and Means Committee to-day fur
iher considered the amendments which ii will |
offer TO the bin. The tariff commission COM
Tnittee met several members Of the committee
to discuss the proposition which they advocate |