Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-09
PLAN TO LOWER
LUMBER TARIFF
NEW SCHEDULE TO REDUCE
DUTY 0NE-HALF
HIDES WILL BE PLACED ON THE
FREE LIST
Statement Made That Nations Forests
Can Only Be Conserved by Adj
hitting Foreign Product
Without Charge
[By Associated Press


one-half in the duty on lumber ana
manufactures of lumber is understood
to be one of the changes provided by
the new tariff bill which is being
printed preparatory to its final re-
vision by the Republican members OF
the house ways and means committee.
Another change, according to lntor-
nation from reliable sources, is that
hides have been placed on the free list
There has been much contention over
the duties on these two articls.
During the hearings Of the lumber
schedules the testimony was such as
to cause the impression that lumber
would be put on the free list.
1t was said the forests of the coun-
try could be conserved only by admit
ting foreign lumber free of duty.
1t is understood that Clifford Pinchot,
chief forester, is preparing figures in
further effort to have lumber admitted
free.
Representative Fordney of Michigan,
member of the committee, has cham
pioned the cause of the lumbermen,
and, the latter have been working en-
ergetically to prevent reduction.
Want Higher Rates
They contend the rates should be in
creased in order that the American in
dustry may compete with the cheaper
labor employed in Canada and because
of the better facilities for transporta-
ton afforded by the proximity of the
Canadian lumber camps to waterways.
The effort to obtain hides free is be-
ing made principally by the New Eng
land shoe and leather manufacturers,
and is strongly opposed by the cattle
men of the west.
1t is said the trainers have agree
to a material reduction on leather
manufactures.
An ip1nroSSiOu nrnVailS that the n1aO
is to have the hide and leather sched-
ule fixed in conference after the ques-
tons have been thoroughly threshed
out on the floor of the house, in the sem
ate finance committee and on the floor
of the senate
Champ Clark. the house minority
leader passed considerable time today
with Representative Underwood in lay
ing out the plan to be followed by the
minority in its fight in the house.
1t is understood the Democratic pol
icy will be to criticise the Republican
bill and offer amendments to it. They
will favor a tariff for revenue rather
than free trade policy.
To Provide Funds
The problem of providing funds with
which to carry on the projects under
way to maintain the plans of the Taft
administration. and to make the de-
mandS square with a new tariff sched-
ule. is the work with which President
Taft, Senator Aldrich, Speaker Cannon
and Secretary of the Treasury Mac
Veagh were engaged at a two hours
conference at the White House today.
The necessity for the enactment of
a tariff bill at the earliest possible
moment was discussed, but whether
a definite policy was outlined could
not be stated
That the manufacturers and other
large interests are demanding early
tariff legislation, and that business
would be unsettled until the tariff
schedules are finally fixed, were the
principal reasons for the desire to per-
nit nothing to interfere with prompt
action at the special session of con-
gress.
The possible delay which the house
insurgents" may cause by fighting the
rules and the further difficulties that
may be put in the way of getting the
tariff bill through without delay were
gone into thoroughly.
Pledged to Revision,
The conferees agreed that every Re-
publican in the house and senate was
pledged by the party platform to let
nothing interfere with an immediate
revision.
Mr.. Taft has made a consistent fight
for a genuine revision of the tariff
and has let it be known that he would
be satisfied with nothing less. In his
inaugural address he frankly called at
tention to the $1O0,OOO,00O deficit con-
fronting his administration, and sug-
gested the possibility or the necessity
of an Inheritance tax.
Secretary MacVeagh has allowed
himself to be quoted as to the possible
necessity of a stamp tax
1t is certain that since today's con-
ference there is a more definite I'M
derstanding as to what may be de-
sired of the proposed new tariff as
revenue producer.
If it has been concluded that tariff
revision must be radical. a provision
in the bill may be looked for which
Will have for its purpose the raising
of revenue by other means than a tax
on imports
Mr.. MacVeagh was sworn in as sec
rotary of the treasury at o'clock.
and soon thereafter was at the White
House conference.
President Taft conferred with Post
master General Hitchcock, saw MANY
senators and representatives who
wished to make their peace at head
quarters with reference to future
patronage, and made one of a merry
box party tonight at a local theater