The Washington herald., 1909-07-18

OOHgTCSSLOHUt
From his previous attitude of studied
aioofness during the progress Of the tariff
bill through Congress President Taft
changed to one OF extreme activity the
moment the Senate bill had been thrown
into the joint conference committee by
the House in voting 20 accede TO the re-
quest Of the Senate for such conference.
The very next day a stream Of Members
and Senators began pouring into the
White House TO urge various points for
or against the pending measure and 10
all the President lent an attentive ear
but made few. If any. promises. Commit
tees Of manufacturers from various sec
tions of the country also began 20 lay
their wishes before the Executive.
The special rule under which the House
agreed TO avoid further discussion In the
chamber by consenting to conference
at once was passed after a three-hour de-
bate. only eighteen Republicans voting
with the Democrats against the rule. Most
Of these were from the Middle West OF
Northwest. One Democrat BrOussard OF
Louisiana. voted with the Republicans
The conferees on the part of the House
appointed by Speaker Cannon are Payne,
Of New York. Dalzell. Of Pennsylvania,
Mccall. Of Massachusetts,, Boutell. OF
Illinois. Calderhead, Of Kansas. and
Fordney. of Michigan. as Republicans;
Clark, Of Missouri Underwood. of Ala
bama. and Griggs. Of Georgia. as Demo-
Gratis. All Of the Republican referees
named by the Speaker were known 10 be
stanch high tariff advocates. and were
not chosen by seniority. Friends OF the
administration were not reassured by
this course. II was especially noted that
Fordney. an advocate Of the lumber tar
III. was added as a ninth conferee, al
though the Senate had appointed only
eight conferees. The latter were Sena-
tors Aldrich. Burrows. Penrose, Hale,
Cullom (Republicans). and Money. Daniel.
and Bailey (Democrats).
The Republican members OF the joint
conference committee had held daily ses-
sions during the past week, sitting and
sorting the Senate amendments so as 20
dispose of the unOpposed matters first.
but aiming 10 keep these informal pro-
ceedings secret for the present. The
Democratic members were not invited
20 these meetings. The Republican con-
ferees have been in daily and almost
hourly touch with the President. who
refused to give his views 20 the press,
preferring 10 deal directly with the con-
ferees. He also had a long conference
with Senator La Toilette as TO the insur-
gent point Of view.
The conference committee has made
rapid progress with the mass Of tarin
details. and has agreed upon the admin
istrative features OF the bill as they came
from the Senate. A new draft OF the
~ hv- L.
dent and his advisers so as 20 avoid inn
posing the tax on holding companies.
which was criticised as being double tax
alton. and so as TO exempt mutual insur-
ance and building and loan associations.
In this new form the opposition Of Payne
and other members was overcome. The
President also won his fight for a per-
manent tariff commission. There still re-
NAMED many important changes in rates
downward If the work was 70 satisfy the
President. and there was some eXpecta-
ton that he would send a special mes
sage TO Congress. He made il clear TO
the conferees that he stood out for free
hides Of. coal. and ore, and for third
of the Senate rate on lumber.
During a luncheon at the White House
Thursday at which Conferees Aldrich
and Payne and Secretary MacVeagh We're
present the decision was reached to write
into the tariff bin authority for the Sec
retaTy OF the Treasury to issue bonds at
his discretion up 10 a total of $l91, 100000
to cover the whole cost Of completing the
Panama Canal that being the amount
estimated By Chief Engineer Goethals 10
be needed The details were not then
worked out
With the decisive vote OF 81 to a the
House on Monday adopted the income
tax constitutional amendment proposal
20 the several States after a four-hOurs
debate in which all forms Of special taxa
ton were denounced, including that OF
the proposed corporation tax. The four
teen opponents were all Republicans.
four Of whom are on the tariff conference
committee. Many Of the Republicans,
like Payne. Of New YORK. vo,ed Tor the
proposal only on the theory. that the
government should have the power in
case OF emergency, but not believing in
the income tax under ordinary circum-
stances.
The Senate has passed the Philippine
tariff bill and that 10 continue the Porto
Rican budget II was agreed 20 adjourn
three days at a time and 70 defer all
new legislation unit! the tariff conference
committee should report.
Senator la Toilette brought out a new
analysis of the bill. based upon figures
furnished him by the Bureau Of Stats
tics showing an average increase OF 5.65
per cent IN the duties imposed by the
entire measure after allowing for all de-
creases.
An appropriation of $4,000 for the trav-
cling expenses of the President was voted
by the House on Thursday 80 TO 107 FIVE
Republicans and all but three Of the
Democrats constituting the opposition.
Leader Clark and other Democratic
speakers warmly criticised this action
as in bad faith. since the Presidents sal
airy had been raised 20 $4,000.