New-York tribune., 1909-07-22
PRESIDENT MEETS
TARIFF CONFERREES
"HARlIONY DINNER" At
THE WHITE HOUSE.
Dir. Taft Restates His Position and
ReceiUes Assurances of Conces-
SiOns-Better Feeling PreUaiIs.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau.1 =


Washington, July 21-The President enter
tanned the Republican members Of the tariff con-
ference committee. Speaker Cannon and num-
Der of other guests at dinner this evening.
After the dinner some of the more conserva-
tive Of the guests expressed the conviction that
the President would get from the conferences
committee free hides. free iron ore free petro-
leum and the House rate. on lumber that he
would ultimately consent to a small duty on
COAL and that the Senate would approve such
a report
The tariff was not discussed at the dinner, but
came up Immediately afterward. when the
President and his guests went out the south
portico to smoke the dinner having been served
on the west terrace. The President, obviously
feeling his responsibilities as host dealt gently
with the subject. and the conferrees refrained
from expressing their sentiments with any
vehemence- In most diplomatic manner the
President reiterated all he had said to the
twenty-five Republicans who called on him some
days ago to protest against his influence on the
CoRferrees. but he was especially guarded in his
manner Of expression
Those who had hoped that the President would
present some basis for compromise were dis
appointed They found him ffrmer than ever in
the conviction that his position was correct and
that he had the strong support Of the country
behind him Those who have espoused the
mouse Dill ana are standing BY Representative
Payne came away strongly of the impression
that Mr.. Payne's position had been greatly
strengthened.
CUSTOMS COURT IN WASHINGTON
There was no very serious argument on de-
tails. except that the location Of the proposed
Customs Court of Appeals was extensively dis
cussed and the opinion after the conference
seemed TO be that it would be at Washington
instead Of at New York.
Many OF the guests expressed the opinion that
the dinner had been extremely successful n
that it had gone far TO promote good feeling
ard remove that bitterness which has been de-
veIoping among the conferrees and between
some OF them and the President
Some Of the Senate conferrees caused surprise
by their apparent sympathy with the views OF
the President. and most o. the House confeIrees
gave indications Of determination TO stand by
him and the House bill
The chief purpose Of the dinner was not -
much to discuss specific rates as TO promots
harmony among the conferrees and so far as
possible to eliminate all bitterness from the stu-
alton
The President took occasion. however. to en-
phasize the fact that he is loyal adherent Of
the protective system and that his only pur-
pose in insisting on what he believes To be genU-
inc tariff revision is To make good the pledges
standard bearer in the last campaign and 70
avert the possibility Of making the protective
policy obnoxious 20 the great army of cOnsum-
ers by maintaining the duties at points higher
than is necessary adequately to protect Aneri-
can labor The President emphasized the fact
that in order TO demonstrate the sincerity Of the
party in its revision Of the tariff il was neces-
sary to reduce the duties TO an appreciable
amount and that such was the purpose of his
recommendations
He referred to the fact that the House stands
ready to uphold him in his attitude. and paid a
high tribute to Representative Payne for the
coura geous fight he has made in the conferences
committee lie also gently fntimated that it
would be a very serious step for the Senate u
assume the responsibility OF killing tarif bill
which had the cordial support Of the President
and the popular branch Of Congress
HOPE FOR REPORT SATURDAY
The President was told that the conference re-
mort could hardly be made before Saturday. but
that every effort would be made to complete it
by then.
The Presidents guests included all the Re-
publican members Of the conference COMMITTEES
with the exception Of Senator Cullor. who is in
Atlantic city. where Mrs -CUllom is H. the
vice-President. the Secretary Of the Treasury,
the Attorney General. Senators Crane and Root.
Speaker cannon anu ne iVStiAtoAt4FC AfNtA5lAt
The dinner was served on the western ter
race or roof of the low lying structure which
connects the White House proper with the ex-
ecutive offices. The President has grown fond
of dining out of doors these warm Washington
nights. and the surroundings Of the terrace are
unusually attractive The long table abOus
which the conferrees gathered was set in a min
iature grove of bay trees. with great boxes oc
geraniums and other growing plants surmOunt-
ing the side walls. which extend two or three
feet above the level of the roof and make a gar
den inc!osure Of the terrace.
The President sat at the head of the table.
and altogether there were nineteen diners about
the board. Captain Butt. the Presidents military
aid. was the only guest whose supreme interest
was not the tariff
President Teft greeted his guests with hearty
good nature. The dinner is said 20 have been
one of the most carefully prepared meals ever
served from the famous old White House
kitchens.
The President had spent busy day. but was
greatly refreshed by his golf game, the shower
which followed and the cool evening ride back
into the city from the Chevy Chase links.
1t was well toward o'clock when the dinner
began The White House grounds were ciose0
10 keep away the curious. who from the WslAS
leading to the front porticO Of the mansion
could have had an excellent view Of the party.