The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1909-08-06
TAFT'S VICTORY.

PreSlQent ldlJ HAS Woh d ueSiueu
victory in compelling the tariff con-
ferees to redraft the bill in such shape
that the pledges of the republican par
ty should be fulfilled. The tariff
comes down and the revision that
President Taft promised the people
downward revision-is a reality.
The fight was won quietly by the
president, but it was won. He gave
no sign of interfering in the work of
building the bill, while it was going
through congress, but at the last mo-
ment, when the conference had made
up it's mind to report bill that did
not suit, the president wrote a letter
that definitely settled the question as
to his attitude and gave assurance
that no bill would be signed which
did not give lumber as low as $1.25
and lower rate on gloves and hos.
iery.
The conferees were angered but
they surrendered and the man in the
white house came out with flying col
orS.
Concerning the dramatic moment in
which this victory was won, John Cal
Ian OLaughlin has written to the Chi
cago Tribune:
For time the presidents pronun-
| ciamento threw the confereeS into a
state bordering on panic. They had
decided to defy the president and in
sert in their report the Littauer rates
and lumber at S1.50. They had called
the democratic members of the con-
ference committee to the conference
chamber for the purpose of showing
them the report and permitting them
to vote against 1.-THE usual party
custom
At this psychological moment, the
presidents letter arrived. The demo
Gratis were told that their arrival had
proved premature and they were in
vited to leave.
Then the republican conferees, an
gered by the presidents further inter
ference, locked themselves into theil
room and uttered words unfit for pub
/ LEGATION. 1t was asserted that the two
houses might as we'll be advised tina
an agreement could not be reached.
Saner counsels prevailed, however
5 for all of the members present were
/ regular" and not inclined to take any
y action which would give the democrat
> an advantage and might disrupt thu
party.
The beauty of men like Aldrich
Payne and others is that they are poll
ticians first, last and all the time, ant
S when they are up against stone wal
r they do not go to the extent of BUMP
ing against it. Mr.. Aldrich state
there were only forty-nine votes in tn
senate which could be depended upo
t to pass the bill.
e The republican senators from Wasf
e ington, Oregon and Idaho had al
= nounced that they would not approx
- the report unless it carried rate c
q $3.50 on rough lumber
d Mr. Aldrich finally announced tha
n these men would have to give in, tha
j.. he was determined a report should b
= made, and, in order to insure the pre-
T. ident's approval, his demands must b
e met.
N The five republican senators frol
N the states named were sent for. the
~ were shown the presidents lette
my Teuldlutu IcNdlIlliuhL. hSh ~
IN astute Aldrich began to build fires u
Or der them.
a. He telegraphed out to the lumb'
interests of their states, told them
re the presidents ultimatum, and advise
In them to accept it. Prompt answe
as followed. In view of the willingness
% the lumber interests to accede, Il
senators representing them were col
&c PEELED to follow suit.
al While this maneuvering was In pro
40 ress Senator Aldrich addressed hil
ty self to securing the assent of Speak
Cannon to the retention OF the Dingl'
rates on gloves.
er Senator Cullom, during the mornil
ty session, had announced that he stot
absolutely and unequivocally for q
,a Dingley rates on these articles al
10 that under no consideration would
Dr. accept any compromise. He was to
n. that Speaker Cannon was insistent al
ne that former Congressman Littau
ar would be a bitterly disappointed ma
% I'm such a matter as this" repli
~; the Illinois senator. Il care nothi
nut for the Views either OF Mr.. Cannon