The Washington herald., 1909-08-06
BILL IS SIGNED BY
PRESIDENT TAFT


Continued from Page One.
er Cannon was occupied with his duties
as presiding officer until after the Presi-
dent left the Capitol. and was unable TO
call on Mr.. Taft
Vice President Sherman left the chair
and came in to extend his greetings.
Senator Aldrich came early, and later re-
turned In a double official capacity. He
came In company with Chairman Payne,
Of the House Ways and Means Commit
tee. TO witness the signing of the tariff
bill, and also as a member OF the Joint
committee Of the Senate and the House
TO notify the President that Congress
had concluded its work, and was waiting
70 hear whether the President had any
further communication 70 make before II
adjourned
Like the President.
The personal popularity OF the Presi-
dent with tho Senators and Representa-
tives OF both parties was clearly dem
onstrated. The expressions OF both Re
publicans and Democrats were all kindly
and the President was not partial in be-
slowing his Fluctuations and good wishes
He urged Senator Bailey, Of Texas. to
call on him at Beverly, and he told Sen
ator Bristow. OF Kansas. a progressive
Republican, who voted against the tariff
bill. that II would be a great pleasure 70
see him at the White House to-day and
talk over a matter OF official Importance
that affected the people Of Kansas.
Joke on AIdrich.
The President had his little Joke with
Senator Aldrich. He had signed a num-
Der OF bills and was waiting TO have
the tariff bill brought in when Senator
Aldrich appeared with the joint com
mittee 10 notify the President that Con-
gress was ready TO adjourn.
The Senator from Rhode Island evil
IDENTIFY was under the impression that
the tariff bill had already been signed.
The Senator from Rhode Island deliv-
cred the solemn official message notifying
the President that the committee had
called 20 notify him that Congress was
ready 20 adjourn. Mr.. Taft looked UP
with a smile. and remarked:
Wei Senator I haven't signed the
tariff bin yet, and I presume you want
me to sign that before Congress ad-
journs."
Senator Aldrich thereupon withdrew
the official message and went out 10 find
the missing tariff bill. This precious
document. II appeared later. had been
bounding back and forth between the
Senate and the House.
1t was brought 10 the Senate from the
- De. "a 49, hfaF
Clerk. William J. Browning within a
few minutes after President Taft had
reached the Capitol. The Speaker had
signed Il. and Clerk Browning had pre-
sented IL IN due course for the signature
OF the Vice President
In the ordinary course Il would have
been carried directly 10 the Presidents
room after being signed by Vice Presl-
ident Sherman. But as soon as Mt.
Sherman attached his signature Mr..
Browning started 10 return 10 the House
Of Representatives with a huge docu-
ment in his arms.
When Il was suggested 20 him that the
President was waiting 10 sign Il, Brown
ms replied that he had orders from Chair
man Payne. OF the Ways and Means
Committee. 10 bring the bill back 10 the
House, because Mr.. Payne desired TO
carry the document TO the President him
self.
When Mr.. Browning got back TO the
House q lively parliamentary struggle
was in progress on the floor over the
disposition OF the McCumber joint res
oluuon. and Chairman Payne was on his
feet in an effort 20 have the resolution
referred TO the Ways and Means Com
mittee. which he succeeded in having
done.
Procession Follows Bill.
Meanwhile the tariff bill was held IN
the House until Representative Payne had
chloroformed the McCumber resolution.
after which q procession was formed.
headed by Representative Wilson. OF Chi
cago, chairman Of the Committee on En-
rolled Bills, which started through the
corridors for the Presidents room.
Senator Aldrich Joined the procession en-
route, and members OF the conference
committee fell in. and Il was rather an
imposing official parade that marched into
the Presidents room bearing the precious
document.
President Taft had signed all Of the bills
that were ready for him, except the
Philippine tariff bin. which. for some rea-
bin had been signed. When the bulky
document was laid on the Presidents
desk in front OF him, he gathered il up,
scanned the first page carefully. turned
over several Of the pages. and finally
called Attorney General NicSersham, with
whom he exchanged a brief whispered
conversation.
Then he glanced at the clock, took out
his watch. and. as IL TO make assurance
doubly sure. asked his secretary. Fred
Carpenter. what time II was The large
clock in the Presidents room indicated
sos o'clock, but when President Taft at
tached his signature he wrote below It
the following words: Signed, FIVE min
utes after o'clock, August 5. 1909. w
H T"
Just as he was preparing 10 sign the
bin Representative Payne handed him
new pen, and asked the President TO use
that in making lis signature After he
mad written out his signature and the in
scripton In full, Mr.. Payne, who wore
an expression OF extreme satisfaction.
took the pen from the Presidents hand
and carefully slowed it away in his vest
pocket as a souvenir. Then Representa-
tive John W. Langley, Of Kentucky,
brought forth another pen, with which
the President wrote the word Approved"
above his official signature, and Mr. Lang
ley bore away that pen In triumph.
The President wore a serious look when
he signed the tariff bill Senator Aldrich
seemed 10 be laboring under a sense Of
responsibility He looked worn and
wearied after the weeks OF struggle IN
the Senate.
There was no comment attending the
official act OF signing the bill AS soon
as the President had finished his work
the document was gathered UP and car
ried away.
Signs Philippine BIZ.