Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-07-24
FREE RAW MATERIALS The
THORN IN THE FLESH
Congressman Payne Believes Free
Iron Ore, Coal, Hides and Oil Would
Pass House Aidrich Positive "
Would Fall In Senate-Tarif Max.
ina Game Of Trading, the shrewd'
est Dealer Winning.

Washington, July o. - The White
House dinner and conference. at which
tariff conferees and the presidents
closest advisers were brought togeth-
or In the effort to settle differences re-
garding the tariff bill. ended with the
disputes over raw materials no nearer
adjustment than they were before the
dinner invitations were issued.
Only one question was determined
beyond appeal, and that was that the
conferees will have to settle their own
differences. Pains were taken to con-
vey the impression that this decision
Is not indicative of any absence OF ap-
probation of the presidents efforts. IT
merely confirmed what the elder
statesmen" had asserted from the
first-that tariff making is trading. and
the shrewdest dealer and the strong
est section is bound to get the best OF
the argument. That this truism is re-
sponsible for the insurgent movements
in the house and senate and party re
volts In middle western states does
not alter the situation.
Briefly stated, the representatives
of the house and senate practically ad.
mitted that they were unable to fore
fast the outcome. Senator Aldrich
spoke for the senate and Speaker Can
non and Representative Dwight, the
Republican whip" for the house.
insurgents Against Free Raw Materials
Mr.. Dwight spoke of the insurgent
movement organized by the "anti-free
raw-material" faction in the house
but he was not ready to estimate the
strength of this element. Represents
tive Payne expressed the opinion that
a conference report carrying free iron
ore coal, hides and oil could be adopt.
cd in the house. but he said that he
had not canvassed the situation.
Senator Aldrich was very positive in
the opinion that such report would
fail In the senate, but he thought that
there could be reductions made In the
senate rates, with perhaps iron ore
and oil transferred to the free list
without endangering its adoption.
President Didn't Press For Decision.
Apparently the president realized
that the time had not yet arrived to
call for decision on the subject OF
raw materials. 1t is stated that he did
not press the representatives of either
house or senate for more definite
statements of the situation in the re
spective branches OF congress.
The customs court and the corpora
ton tax amendments were discussed
at length. Most of those present
agreed with President Taft that the
customs court should be situated in
Washington, since 1t is to be court
Of appeals whose decisions will be
fnal. Senator Hale dissented from
this opinion on the ground that large
majority OF the cases originate in New
York and the evidence is more readily
available In that city Attorney Gen
eral Wickersham and Senator Root
who drew the customs court amend
ment, favored Washington rather than
New York as the headquarters for the
court.
The discussion OF the corporation
tax dealt with the revenue 1t will pro
duoe and the general effect of the tax
from a political point of view.