The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-26
| STILL TANGLED.
Tariff Problem Continues to Be
Far From Solution.
Hides and Leather Schedule
Subject of Contention.
BIG LEADERS CLASH.
Aldrich and Payne Quarrel Over
the Situation.
Taft Is Standing Firm for a
Downward Revision.
BIG LEADERS CLASH


for vigorous resistance to any report
from the tariff conference committee
which may look to taking the duty off
| hides. Northwestern senators and
| members of the house were at the
capital early today. The 'insurrec-
ton" members of the house, as the
anti-raw material fighters are coming
| to be called, decided on holding a
| meeting, which was called for IL
| o'clock, but the senators who are
J making fight along the same lines
! concluded to perfect their plans by
means of individual conferences.
Most active among the workers on
| the senate side were Senators Clark
and Warren of Wyoming; Carter of
Montana; Borah of Idaho, and Smoot
| of Utah.
In case the conferees bring in
free hide report, the opposition will
resort to the tactics of adopting a
resolution of authorization to the con-
| ference committee to place all kinds
OF leather and all leather goods on
the free list along with hides. BY
this course they count on obtaining
all but one of the Democrat votes in
the senate and all but four of the
Democrat votes in the house.
The Democrats are committed to
lower duties and while they would
not directly help the hide men by Vot-
ing to put high duty on their pro
duct they would be willing to force
all the duty off shoes.
Counting Noses.
The hide men think that rather
than accept free leather and free
shoes the manufacturers and the con-
fereeS who represent their views
would be willing to concede duty
on hides. The fighting will be close
in both houses. In the senate there
are 81 Republicans and 81 Demo-
Gratis. Senator McEnery Of the DEM
ocratic column will vote with the Re
publicans for protection The other
80 Democrats are counted on as IA
vorable to free leather With these
80 votes as a starter it will be neces-
saFy to get 1 Z Republicans.
There are about ten senators. who
will go to any necessary extent to
prevent the taking of duty off hides.
They hope to pick up six or seven
votes from among the socalled pro- |
gressive senators who voted against |
the bill as it passed the senate.
The free raw material men We're |
not so active today, but they were |
none the less determined. With the !
president and large majority of the |
Republican members of both houses |
with them they say that success must /
come and they tell the 'insurrectos'' |
that they must either take free hides |
now or soon be asked to take free |
wool IN addition.
Situation Is Critical.
Everybody appreciates that the |
tariff bill is in a critical state and not
even its most enthusiastic supporters
are as hopeful over the outlook as
they were a week ago.
Greatly concerned by reports of
friction between Senator Aldrich and
Representative Payne at the Sunday
night session of the tariff conference
committee many members of both
houses besieged the offices of the two
leaders in order to learn if possible
what the outcome is to be. At both,
it was stated that the i'll feeling en-
gendered by the attempt last night to
compel a vote in making hides duti-
able at y per cent had not widened
the breach between the senate and
house SO much as had been indicated
by published stories of the contro-
versy.
Before the sessions of the confer
ence committee at 2:30 p. m. today
Senator Aldrich told all of his call
ers there was. yet a chance to patch
up all differences so that report
could be made to the house tomor-
row.
Practically all of the protected hide
senators were callers at Senator
Aldrich'5 office during the forenoon
The senate leader had not given up
hope of getting d reduction in the du-
ties on shoes and other leather goods
hides are made free.
Interest Centers at White House.
Washington. July 26.-With he tariff ]
cnfereas at logGerheads over hides and
Gather the White House has again be-
anne the center of interest in the tar {
if fight. At the beginning of the day !
: was expected that advocates of pro-
ected hides would devote a large part
# the forenoon to beseeching the presi-
lent to stand firm for material reduc-
lons on boots and shoes and other
Gather goods, if hides are to be duty =
rec. The conference committee viii
ensemble at 2:3O o'clock this after
lOon to make a further effort to reach
greement. The two sessions held yes
erday were barren of results, save the :
lash which is reported to have oc- ,
urred between Senator Aldrich and l
Payne. following the
ight session.
Until there has been some opportuni- 6
y to study the temper of the upper 7
ouse it is unlikely that a rule will 7
ate on the report. Representative I
'ayne VIII present a statement at
myth to the hcUs in view of the re- /
ult of the conference and Representa- [
i've Clark will make a reply in behalf L
the minority. These statements may I
g made on the day on which the re- t
ort is presented with a consequent saw
lg Of time.
What time shall be consumed on eth
cen heard will depend on the commit c
se on rules The general impression
/, that not more than two days will be
by the house in the discus
ion of the report and some predict it Fl
i'll be concluded within one sitting.