Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-24


days session of the tariff conferees
that their deliberations were nearing
an end. The conferees expressed conf
dence that the work practically would
be concluded before the close of the
day. There was, however, a great deal
of detail to be attended to, and in ad-
dition some of the most important
dtems still remained unsettled.
Hides were the most obstructive Of
all the subjects before them, and when
the conferees retired behind closed
doors they still were undetermined as
to what should ,be done. On one hand
the president and a large majority Of
members OF the house were demanding
THAT they should come in absolutely
free Of duty, while on the other hand
Senators Carter and Warren, with a
formidable following, were asserting
that there could be no reduction be-
low the Is per cent fixed by the sem
ate The conferees themselves were
quite unable to predict the outcome
Most of them expressed the opinion
that a compromise would be reached,
and the figures in this compromise
generally range from to 10 per cent.
Runs Against House Rules.
President Taft still is resorting to
various, expedients to obtain downward
practically unanimous republican back
ing for the report of the conference
committee on the tariff bill.
h ;x<
day and again today with the vice
president and Speaker Cannon to see
df the rules of the house could not be
so modified as to permit reduction in
duties on the finished products of
hides. This action is essential with
hides transferred to the free list.
In his efforts to obtain certain free
raw materials and reductions of duties
for their finished products the presi-
dent has run against the rules of the
house. These provide that managers
Of a conference must confine them
selves to differences submitted to them
and may not include subjects not with
in disagreement even tho germane to
the question in issue.
This has been interpreted as confin-
ing the conferees to accepting either a
house duty or a senate duty or rate
between the two, if the only difference
be that of rate If an entire paragraph
has been rewritten by the senate then
the conferees have the right not only
to change the language, but the rate as
well.
In case of the finished products of
hides, the senate made no sweeping
amendments, so THAT conferees under
house rules must confine themselves to
arranging an agreement between the
rates fixed. If this procedure were not
followed a single point Of order raised
ntle house could cause the rejection
Of the conference. report
Senate Rules More Elastic.
The senate rules, as shown to the
president by tlle vice president, are
much more elastic. They authorize the
conferees to include in their report
matters which are germane modifica-
tions Of subjects in disagreement I'm
der this authority the senate man
ayers may change a paragraph or a
whole schedule if they see fit, and in
case Of any question in the senate
a majority vote will sustain their ac-
ton.
Consequently, so far as the senate
Is concerned, there was no need for an
attempt ITO change the rules in order
for the president to get what he de-
sires
The house situation has been care
fully explained to the president ,by the
speaker, and also was discussed with
the vice president Speaker Cannon is
strongly opposed TO any attempt to
change the rules of his chamber.
In the first place, the rules were
adopted at the beginning of the extra
session after a bitter fight had been
made upon them by the so-called in
surgents. To suggest notifications to
the speaker was like waving red rag
at q bull. He believes the rules are all
right and should stand
Congress Will Accept Program.
AS those who have contended for
the retention of the duty on hides have
demanded greater reduction in the
leather schedule than it is believed
will be made, conferees refused to
speak Of the results attained at the
forenoon executive session of the con-
ference committee. Therefore while
there Is little doubt that hides are to
be put on the free list, a variety of
opinions are expressed concerning the
duties to be fixed upon leather The
generally accepted program follows:
Hides, free; sole leather per cent ad
valorem, the same as the house rate,
and 10 per cent lower than the SEN
ate rate; leather for uppers. ~ per
cent, which Is one-half the rate OF the
senate and houss bills; boots and shoes