Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-12-24

law, aud WAS printed as q Senate docu-
ment at the instance of Senate Lodge
(repr. Mass). II was intended to ssy 10
this srgumeDt that The tariff bss been
decreased upon necessary articles con-
sumsd by the American people to the
smount OF $4,000. 100000 worth az
nuslly. Somehow the word Tin.
crease" wss substituted for the word
"deerease," 90 that the tariff bill, by
this statement. instead Of being sn al.
legged benefit TO consumers, would appear
to lsy heavy additional burden upon
them. Copies OF the document which
have been printed will be destroyed, and
the corrected version will be placed In
circulation.
The Christmas eve meeting OF the
TAFT Cabinet was short one, the secre-
taries being In conferences much less
than the usual two hours. Attorney
General Wickershsm left the meeting
fifteen minutes after he entered the
White House 10 start for New York
where he will spend Christmas. Secre-
tsry of War Dickinson did not attend
as be is on bis way to Porto Rico. The
Cabinet will hold bat one more meeting
10 1909 That will be next Tuesday.
President Taft will be 10 New York
pexi Fridsy and there will be no meet.
log on that day. Today's meeting Dis
cussed informally vsriou, phases Of tie
comiog congressional probe OF Secretary
Bslipger's department, and, 1t Is un'
derstood Endorsed the Bslliuger plan for
a Joint investigation by both houses OF
Congress as opposed to 8 senatorial In.
Vesiigatiou.
The premouitIon OF the possible tariff
war between Fiauce and the United
S ates cropped out at the White House
today, when Representative Perkins, of
New York, took up the cause OF the frnit
growers Of that state With the president.
Mr.. Perkins says New York fruit grow
ers, particularly the apple growers, are
being Disseminated against uuder the
present rate of tariff. The president
referred Mr.. Perkins 10 the bureau OF
foreign trade relations. MI. Perkins
ssys that under the maximum tariff
which France placed 10 operation at the
expiration OF the Franco. American trads
sgreement last November, New York
apple growers mnst pay duty OF 10
lraucs q kilo on dried apples sent 10
France, while Canadian apple growers
receive the benefit OF the minimum rate
of ten fraucs. This situation, Perkins
says, threatens TO drive many dealers out
of business.
MIR. Arthur O. Moses called st the
White House today and to the president
expressed bis regret that he could not
sccept the District OF Columbia
com missionership which had b'en
ffer,d to him. 10 the place OF Mr..
Moses, the president it Is said will offer
one Of the commissiouerships TO Mr..
Cauo q. Rodolph.
Among The Christmas callers at the
White House tOdsy we're Count YJu
B rustorf, The German ambassador, and
Count MoItke, the Dauish minister, who
conveyed 10 the president holiday great.
Jugs from their respective countries.
A flOd of messengers expressing
Christmas gre tings aud good cheer
swsmped the White House today. AID.
mirers of President Taft from sll over the
country sent their holidays greetings.
None was received from Africa. Christ.
mas days st the White House will not
be one Of uralloyed joy for President Taft.
He planned to put In several hours at
work an the mass Of business that has
accumulated at the executive Offices.
Part OF the time will he devoted to the
question "What Ia WhIskeJ" which he
expects to permanently settle either TO.
morrow or Saturday. The TAFT family
Christmas will be q quiet old-'sshicned
stair, according 10 today's plsu. Christ.
mss diuner will be served about 1880 10
the evening, and will be an exclusively
family function. Al OF the TAFT family
will be there.
Orders were issued TO The cruifer Prairie to
transport supplies from the i.thmus to Blaze
feel for the starving Nicaraguan army which
faces famine and epidemic there as result OF
inadequate accomodations and lack Of food.