Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-07-27
ANTI-FREE HIDE
ELEMENT is ACTIVE
MAKING PREPARATIONS TO RE
slsT ANY REPORT FROM TAR
lFF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
TAKING DUTY OFF PELTs.

WdSnllSLOH, ~. VI, july 3D.
In both the senate and the house
the anti-free hide element is max
ing active preparations for most
vigorous resistance to any report
from the tariff conference commit
tee looking towards taking the
duty off hides. The northwestern
senators and members of the
house were at the capitol early to-
day and from the moment of their
arrival all of them were busily en-
gagged in conference among them
selves. In case the conferees
bring in a free hide report, the
opposition will resort to tactics of
adopting a resolution of authoriza-
tion to the conference to place all
kinds of leather and all leather
goods on the free list along with
the hides. BY this course they
count upon obtaining all but one
of the democratic votes Of tho
senate and all hut four democratic
votes in the house. The Demo-
Gratis are cammitted TO lower dl.s
ties end while they would not di-i
rectly help the hide men by voting
to put higher duty on their prod
uce, they would be willing to force
all duty off Of shoes, Fighting will
be close in both houses. In the
senate there are sixty-one Repub-
licans and thirty-one Democrats.
McEnery will vote with the Re-
publicans for protection. The 9TH
er thirty Democrats are counted
upon as favorable to free leather.
With these thirty votes as a start
er 1t would be necessary to get
seventeen Republican votes.
There is some doubt as to wheth-
er this result could be accom-
plished.
Before the resumption OF the
conference committee at 2:3o,
Senator Aldrich told all his cali
ers that there WAS yet chance to
patch UP all differences and a
that a report could be made to
the house tomorrow. Many OF the
conferees indicated purpose Of
insisting upon finishing their la
bors, tonight.
AT meeting of the western
Republican senators this after
noon Senator Warren was author
lied to say to the conferees that
those present would oppose any
conference report that provides
for free hides. They assert that
canvass assures the defeat of
such report.
Washington, D. G., July rs. FIR,
hides or no free hides Is the 'questic
that is furnishing most of the deba
among the tariff conferees. The cor
mittee is practically deadlocked on II
question with bitter feeling betwes
Senator Aldrich and Chairman Payn
The conferees held two sessions We
terday, and at the end OF the secor
one 1t was apparent that the hide que
tion is practically the only one whi,
is left. But the fighting on that
most bitter. President Taft is
sistent on his free hide program al
the opposition, backed by the westel
senators, is equally obstinate.
The president is willing to ha'
deep slashes made In the shoe al
leather rates, but this, 1T is feare
would involve parliamentary trouble
and endanger the rest Of the measur
AIdrich and Payne in Tilt.
The night session of the confere
wa3 marked by an intemperate on
burst, in which Senator Aldrich al
Chairman Payne exploded. The d
tails of this colloquy are being kept
careful secret. but 1t Is known that t
Senator put his views Of the Hou
chairman's course of delaying the sc
tlement in language which was mar
ed more for its directness than
sweetness.
The bitter words are reported
have followed an attempt on the pa
of Aldrich to compel a vote on a m
tion to make hides dutiable at 7h .
cent, half of the existing rate.
From the variety OF reports concer
Ing the incident. none of which c,
be confirmed unqualifiedly, 1t appea
that the senate leader was angered 4
frequent statements made by t
house leader that the country and t
president were In sympathy with t
action of the house in putting hid
on the free list, and that he did n
propose to be governed by what m
jority of the conferees thought abo
the question.
Taft Strong on Free Hides.
The president realizes that unle
hides are made absolutely free the