The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-07-28

Washington. July 25.--Sunday
brought no cessation of President
TAfts tariff activities He had a con-
ference with house and senate lead
cru. which covered practically the en-
ere day. Even the customary Sun
: aay afternoon ride through tho parks
vas cancelled.
Although he adraitted frankly to
some of his callers today that the sit
nation was not all that could be de-
s,rsd. the president expressed the
hope that another twenty-four hours
would suffice to straighten out the
tanGle In the conference. and that the
report OF the conferees would be pre-
ssnted In the house on Tuesday next.
II further Is hoped at the White
House that the report will be accom-
panied by definite plan of action.
which will be acQuiesced in by the
house and the senate. and that con-
sres may adjourn by the last of the
week.
President Taft. II was learned to-
osy. has not receded in any way from
Ais demand for free hides. He Is au-
vhenticaliy represented as regarding
fkee hides as a typical case underlying
the whole principle downward re-
vision. and II free hides should be lost
utfie Of encouragement to the real re-
v>sionlsts remains.
Just how the boot. shoe and finish
- leather schedule In the tariG bill
orA TO be revised. when there are no
e12erences between. house and senate
fer the conferees to act upon. was one
= the puzsling subjects under discus
1on Ut the White House today. Al
tnough soma % the house leaders are
noAth to establish the precedent. they
hnve informed the president that II
would be entirely possible for the
oonferees arbitrarily to change the
leather schedule to the lower prices
agreed upon In the bargain for free
hides. and that the change could be
protected In tho house against an in
svitable point OF order by the adop-
tlon OF rule providing that points
'Se order should not lie against that
lpsrticular item. The only question
then would be the whipping into line
81 majority OF the members to sup
port the adoption OF the rule. The
vresident has heard considerable talk
q the strength Of the "insurgenst' in
tAe house and their threats to defeat
sach rule. Bt II the leaders consent
20 the plan II Is believed II can easily
% carried through.
II can dennitely be stated that the
presideut's chief concern now is as 10
hides. The other schedules apparent
" are being worked into acceptable
shape. according to his information,
: and once the free hide and reduced
leather goods programme has been
agreed upon. the end of the fight is in
view.
President Taft. according to those
who have talked most Intimately with
him. does not suffer the delusion that
revision OF the tariff downward Is GO
fng to bring reduced prices or would
b Of immediate benefit to the much
talked abort ultimate consumer. "
Instead of a reduction, IL is declared.
that there will be actual increases
during the coming year on, mahy of
the necessaries Of life, including
wearing apparel.
An advance OF 22 to- 2t per cent in
the price OF wooden goods already has
been announced. despite the fact that
NO change whatever has been made
I'm the woolen schedule. This sched-
uIe. the president has been told, will
not permit OF a reopening at this
time. II Is closed incident as re-
CARDS the conference. and there Is
nothing upon which reopenIne
could be fastened as a rider"
In discussing this phase of the situ-
auon with callers Today, the president
took occasion TO explain I'm some de-
snii his theory Of the principle OF
downward revision--from protec
Zionist point OF view. The idea is no
To reduce duties to the point OF affect
Ing home industries or to admit irn-
ports To what. from the Republican
standpoint. would be unfair compe.
tition with homemade articles. Tn,
president Is represented as regarding
downward revision assa means OF pro
tecting the people from monopoly and
execessively high prices.
He summed mp the theory OF tarlf
revision as not so much To brinp