New-York tribune., 1909-05-17
SENATE BARK SPEEDING
ON CALMER SEAS.
Concessions of Leaders to President
and PubLic-BW Viii Be q
Credit to Pdrty.
[From The Tribune Bureau. J


progress made Incidentally, however, 1t has
become obvious that the bill cannot be finally
enacted before the last OF next month, and the
less optimistic are setting the date of adjourn
ment far into July.
The firm determination of the President TO
veto tariff measure which did not fulfil the
pledges of the party and the promises made in
the course of the campaign 10 revise the tariff
downward, together with the attitude of infiuen-
tial Republican newspapers which have severely
criticised the Senate substitute for the Payne
bill. have had their effect. and have brought the
leaders to a realization Of the necessity of ma
terially modifying the schedules before they
send the tariff bin TO the White House.
A number of test votes early in the week de-
monstrated that the Republican organization
was in complete control Of the Senate. At TO
time were the combine forces of the Republican
insurgents" and the Democrats able to control,
and usually ey were about ten votes short Of
the strength of the organization. When the
mastery of the organization had become evident
TO the most skeptical the leaders permitted it TO
become known that they purposed TO make such
notifications in conference they found nee
essary 10 obtain the approval of the President,
and thus TO avert all danger of a veto. They
intimated that they were entirely willing to
purpose to be driven into concessions by the
'treachery'' of members Of their party who
voted with the Democrats. They We're not alto
gether cOmplacent under the fire of the Repub-
lcan press. and they thought the time had come
when they might properly impart to the public
their purpose OF modifying their measure as
at least 10 conform TO the views of the Chief
Executive. Certain schedules must be fixed
with a view to trading with the conferrees of
L.,
at point higher than their judgment dictated
in order to command the votes of Senators who
stood by the organization, but such discrepancies
would be modified in conference. An intimation
was given even of the specific charges which the
bill might be expected TO undergo. a result of
which the measure as presented for the Execu-
tive signature would probably provide for free
hides, free coal. free iron ore and free petro-
leum, while the Dingley duty of 81 a thousand
feet on lumber would be cut in two and most Of
the reductions in the Payne bill would be re-
tained.
BILL WILL BE CREDIT TO PARTY.
When these representation were submitted
10 the President he indicated that If the meas
ure constituted a material step forward. con-
tanned some tangible reductions from tile Ding
ley rates. provided him with the machinery for
ascertaining the cost Of production. both domes-
tlc ana foreign OF the articles included the
schedules. etc. together with administrative
provisions which he esteemed wise. he would un-
doubtedly sign the measure. Thus the firm
stand Of the President and the conciliatory at (
titude of the Senate leaders now promise TO
produce measure which will be a credit to the
party which is solely responsible for the tariff
revision.
For some time there has been a degree OF ir- /
ritation in the Senate which threatened daily .
explosion. Certain Senators. doubtless from con- !
viction. were insisting on reductions OF the du-
ties and critcising the Finance Committee
Others and they included legislators who miss (
no opportunity to pose in the glare Of favorable .
publicity, were indulging in prolonged diatrbes. .
TO the initiated obviously for home consump- /
tion" and the promotion of personal popularity
On Friday the explosion came. Senator Root /.
who has not been member OF the Senate long
enough to sit patiently during long orations /
hardly germane and wholly for their effect /
back home.' and who has observed the work /
ing of the Finance Committee with admira- /
tion born Of a realization Of the tremendous |
amount of labor it has performed, the i'm
mediate cause Of the scrlnmage. He rose to /
reply TO Senator La Toilette, and told the Sen
ator from Wisconsin some plain truths with a
bluntness seldom heard in the Senate He crit |
icised the course Of Senator La Toilette In terms
rose when he exposed the persistent neglect by /
the Wisconsin Senator of his committee duties
Senator Money. who seldom addresses the /
Senate and to whom the traditions of the Sen
ate are almost sacrosanct, criticised the Senator
from New York for lecturing Senator'S when he /
had been q member OF the august body for so /
short time. Senator Gallinger denounced la /
Folletteism' and similar cant" and Senator /
Lodge defended the Senator from New York /
and the Senator from Rhode Island, who had /
also been attacked. The extremely hot weather /
contributed. doubt, 10 the ascerbity OF the /
debate and the inexperienced were predicting .
that fsric encounters would certainly occur be
fore the tariff bill disposed Of On the
trary the explosion. Ike a summer thunder
shower. served to clear the atmosphere and on
Saturday there prevailed feeling of good fel-
lowship which had not before existed since the
tariff debate began in the upper house Of Con-
eress Senator Aldrich, on behalf Of the Finance
Committee exhibited a conciliatory spirit and
made a number Of material concessions in the
all important steel schedules, a number of
amendments all Of them reducing the duties,
being adopted with the fun consent of the COM
rnittee and without a roIlcall.
MATERIAL PROGRESS MADE
Observed day by day, the progress of the con-
GUS and has led TO such dire predictions as that
ad diournrnent would not be reached before Au-
gust Viewed with the short perspective
now al orded the progress made has been ma
terial The first two schedules, A and b. have
been completely disposed Of as have the most
difficult parts of c. Inasmuch the lettered
schedules run high y, this may not seem
like great progress. but the speeches made will
not be repeated, and numerous schedules will be