The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-13
TARIFF MEASURE WILL
 SOON BE COMPLETED
Some Schedules Will Cause Debate and Will Be Changed, But There Is Not Much Business Yet
 To Be Transacted.
BY WATTERsoN sTEALEY.

Washington, July 12-(Special.) )-Senator Aldrich, Speaker Cannon and Represen- tative Fordney of Michigan, representing the leaders of the standpat forces in Con- gress, held conferences with the President today and left the White House in an ex- ceedingly good humor. Shortly thereafter the report was generally circulated that the President is going to approve any tariff bill sent him. If he does otherwise it would certainy astound the Aldrich forces, all of whom make no doubt that when the conference committee agrees the sending of the bill to the White House will be the merest formality.
 There was accordingly a feeling around the capitol that it will not be many days before the conference committee reports to the Senate and House. The commit tee is making good progress on the bill It was stated this afternoon that there is every indication that the 15 per cent duty on hides will not stand. This is the pres- ent rate and was also passed by the Sem ate. The House voted for free hides and 1t is likely that the conferees will get to- gether on 10 per cent or perhaps as low as per cent The fact Is that Senator Aldrich is not opposed to free hides but retained the 15 per cent duty in deference to the demands of Senator Warren and other western senators. Owing to this some of those who are advocating free hides have not abandoned hope that a situation may arise which will lead Sem ator Aldrich to cencede the entire duty
 
 wood and wood pulp promise to develop the biggest interest in the bill The pres ent rate on lumber is s2 The House placed it at s1 and the Senate at s1 5O The rate on print paper is $6. The House cut it to g and the Senate made it A. Representative Mann of Illinois, who made special investigation of the sub ject. things the g rate Is none too high. There Is talk of B compromise on print paper and s1.25 on lumber. On coal the House rate is 67 cents and the Senate rate 60 cents. The latter duty will probably stand The duty on iron ore was placed by the Senate at 25 cents. It is free in the House bill. The amendment will prove hard nut to crack by the committee as House sentiment Is very strong for free iron ore.
 President Taft will take up with his cabinet within few days the appoint ment of census supervisors. The prob lem Is a knotty one, especially in the south and border states. It is thought that in the southern states the most the democrats can hope for it about one-third of the supervisors to be confined to the black districts. In such states as Ken lucky and Indiana, the democrats be- lieve they ought to get some of tho supervisors but so far they have he- ceived no encouragement.
 With the tariff bill in conference there has been another exodus of congressman from Washington. Many of the demo- crats, including Culberson of Texas, Shir- ley of Indiana, Stone of Missouri and Bankhead of Alabama, are at Manhat- tan Beach, N. Y. Senator Bailey of Texas Is in Kentucky, and Senator Payn- ter left for his home in that state to- day.