Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-12-24

OF Massachusetts,, unfolding the tariff
law, and was printed as Senate docu.
ment at the instance of Senate Lodge
(repr. Masa). II was intended to say 10
this argument that The tariff has been
decreased upon necessary articles con.
snmed by the American people to the
amount OF $4,000, 100000 worth an
nuslly. Somehow the word sin.
crease" was substituted fer the word
"decresse," so that the tariff bill, by
this statement. instead Of being an al.
legged benefit to consumers, would appear
to lay heavy additional burden upon
them. Copies of The document which
have been printed will be destroyed, aud
the corrected version will be placed In
circulation.
The Christmas eve meeting of the
Taft Cabinet was short one, the secre-
teries being in conference much less
than the usual two hours. Attorney
General Wickersham left the meeting
fifteen minutes after he entered the
White House to start for New York
where he will spend Christmas. secre.
tary of War Dickinson did not attend
as be is on his way to Porto Rico. Tbs
Cabinet will hold bat one more meeting
10 1909 That will be next Tuesday.
President Taft will be 10 New York
next Friday and there will be no met.
Ing on that day. Today's meeting dis
cnssed informally various phases of the
coming congressional probe of Secretary
Ballipger's department, and, it is IN.
derstood Endorsed the Balliuger plan for
a Joint investigation BY both houses Of
Congress as opposed to a senatorial in.
vestigation.
The premonition OF the possible tariff
war between Fiauce and the United
Safes cropped out at the White House
today, when Representative Perkins, OF
New York, took up the cause OF the fruit
growers of that state With the president.
Mr.. Perkins says New York fruit grow
ers, particularly the apple growers, are
being Disseminated against under the
present rate of tariff. The president
referred Mr.. Perkins 10 the bureau Of
foreign trade relations. Mr.. Perkins
says that under the maximum tariff
which France placed 10 operation at the
expiration OF the Franco. American trade
agreement last November, New York
apple growers mnst pay a duty OF l5
traces ktlo on dried apples sent 10
France, while Canadian apple growers
receive the bene6. OF the minimum rate
of ten francs. This situation, Perkins
says, threatens 10 drive many dealers on,
OF business.
Mr. Arthur O. Moses called at the
White House today and to The president
expressed his regret that he could not
sccept the District of Columbia
com missiouership which had b'en
tffsrsd to bin. 10 the place OF Mr..
Moses, the president it is said will offer
one of the mmissionerships to MIR.
Cuno q. Rodolph.
Among The Christmas callers at the
White House ,cdsy we're Count VJn
B rostorf, The German ambassador, and
Count Moltke, the Dauish minister, who
conveyed to the president holiday great
Jugs from their respective countries.
A alod of messengers expressing
Christmas gre tings and good cheer
swsmped the While House today. Ad-
mire.s OF President Taft from all over the
country sent their holidays greetings.
None was received from Africa. Christ.
mas days at the White House will not
be one Of uralloyed joy for President Taft.
He planned to put In several hours at
work an the mass Of business that hes
accumulated at the executive Offices.
Part OF The time will be devoted to the
question "Whst ia Whiskey" which he
expects to permanently settle either to:
morrow or Saturday. The Taft family
Christmas will ba quiet old-'sshicned
5ffair, according TO today's plsu. Christ.
mas diuner will be served about 1880 10
the evening, and will be an exclusively
family function. All OF the TAFT family
will be there.
Orders were issued TO the cruifer Prairie to
transport supplies from the i!thmus to Blue
feel for the starving army which
faces famine and epidemic there as result OF
inadequate Accommodations and lack OF food.