The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-04-03

trloutlOn6. 10 the plea Tor reduction
Of the cost of the necessaries of life
Is the assurance, that higher prices
will bring added prosperity and hap
piness. 10 the appeal that the poor
are unable to stand greater burdens
is, the promise that our nation will
continue to prosper, and that in some
way this prosperity will diffuse It.
self among all the people"
The Pulp Schedule
~; liking on the pulp and paper
elp Aes. Mr.. Currier IN. H.) declar-
ed y at there IL little increase in the
price Of paper over that of decade
ago, while the cost Of production has
increased. He added that every at
tempt to show an unlawful combina-
ton among paper manufacturers had
failed. He argued against the sixty
six and two-thirds per cent reduction
in duty, which he held would be de-
structive to the industry.
Advocating free lumber Mr.. Davis,
(Minn.) contended that the industrial
conditions existing today are differ
ent than when the Dingley law was
enacted. He expressed the belief that
the importations of lumber under the
proposed reduced rates of duty would
be only slightly increased. while the
price to the consumer would be less
ened.
Mr.. Davis asserted that any increase
in the importation of lumber would
aid in conserving the forests of the
United States. He also argued that
American lumber producers need no
protection, claiming that they can
manufacture lumber cheaper than
those Of any other country. He criti-
cized the provisions for hosiery gloves,
barley and an inheritance tax.
Presidents Views
The president Is understood to IA
vor strongly this idea Of application
Of the maximum and minimum prin-
ciple, and it is believed that it will be
the plan finally agreed upon. The
plan of administering the minimum
and maximum rates in the house bill
as it now stands. is said to be more
indefinite and less effective than the
one proposed by the senate finance
committee.
Prior to the cabinet meeting today
President Taft had a conference with
Chairman AldTich Of the senate finance
committee and Secretary of the Treas.
ury MacVeagh. Senator Aldrich as
sured the president that the COM
mittee Is making most satisfactory
progress with the tariff bill and said
there would be little or no delay IN
taking the matter up in the senate
after vote in the house.
The administrative features Of the
senate bill were then taken up for
discussion, which will be resumed at
the white house next week. Senator
Aldrich left for New York today. The
finance committee will not meet in his
absence.
There have been more or less ap-
parently authentic reports that the
majority sentiment in the senate was
opposed to the minimum and maximum
principle as enunciated in the Payne
bill. President Taft has not shared
this belief and today he received defi-
mite assurance as to the correctness
of his position when Senator Aldrich
outlined to him his own position and
that of the majority Of the finance
committee. as to the plan Of admins
tration to be provided for in the SEN
ate measure which has the further
support Of supreme court decision
as to its constitutionality. The diff
ference between the minimum and
maximum rates will be twenty per
cent. 1t is planned that for nine
months or one year, the minimum
rate which will be fixed as the pro-
tective rate shall apply to all coun-
tries without distinction or discrimi-
nation. At the end of this period the
maximum rates automatically will 60
into effect against all countries, which
in the opinion of the executive are
not giving to the United States their
most favored nation clauses. In 9TH
er words. 1t will require affirmative
action by the president, after thor
ough inquiry, to give to any nation the
benefit Of the minimum American
rate. II, in the general inquiry which
will be made in the probationary"
period. the president finds that GER
tain nations are discriminating against
the United States, he will merely re-
frain from issuing a proclamation re-
garding these countries and the
maximum rate henceforth will apply
to them.
This plan gives to the executive
complete power of inquiry and deci-
sion. The supreme court of the Unit
ed States, in case involving the con-
stitutionality Of the Mckinley tariff
act. decide dthat congress by similar
methods of administration, was in
no wise delegating Its authority to the
executive. Congress will fix absolute
rates which will apply under circum-
stances which it prescribes and no
legislative discretion will rest with
the president.
Another matter discussed at the
white house conference today and
which will be taken up again next
week. had to do with what plan shall
be adopted in the administrative Sec
ton OF the ne wbill to prevent alb
solutely differentiation. The presi-
dent believes with treasury depart
ment officials that gross frauds have
been practiced on the government in
the past under existing methods and
considers 1t Of supreme importance
that a fixed standard Of valuation
should be prescribed.
President Taft seems more salts
fed inst now than at anv other time