Evening star., 1909-07-10
BLUE OVER PROSPECT
Low Tariff Men Have Small
Hope of Material Reduction.
VIEW OF THE THOUGHTFUL
Believe That Senate Will Yield Only
on Non. Essentials.
HIGH PROTECTI0NISTS FIRM
Absolutely Determined Upon Main
tanning Rates and Have No
Thought of Yielding.
VIEW OF THE THOUGHTFUL
HIGH PR0TECTIoNIsTs FIRM

The low tariff men in Congress were
downcast today over the prospect for
material reduction Of rates in the bill to
be prepared by the conference committee.
For the life of them, they could not see
very much hope of substantial reductions
I'm schedules.
The fact is indisputable that the domi-
mating sentiment of the conference COM
mittee. supported by a majority in each
house of Congress, favors rates of pro-
lection in excess of those advocated by
progressive republicans and by President
Taft. This situation forecasts the franz
ing Of bill along stiff protection lines.
The expectation of thoughtful men in
both houses Is that the Senate will yield
on non-essentials and will make good It's
insstence upon high rates In the lead
ing industries Of cotton, wooden. timber.
metal and miscellaneous manufacture.
The Senate is also expected 10 win on
it's corporation tax, customs court ana
maximum and minimum features of the
bill. There is no reasonable ground Tor
expectation that a majority In either
House or Senate will be available to over
turn such an agreement
Senator Aldrich has hard and fast
majority which nothing has been able to
disintegrate thus far. while the House
organization is apparently impregnable,
though by a smaller proportionate mar
gin. That the House organization Is still
dominant was shown yesterday by the
Speaker exercising his power OF selection
and displacing two members in line on
q committee
substitution of MeSSrS. Fordney and Cal
derhead for Messrs. Hill and Needham. :
BY that action the geographical ap-
portionment of the conferees was equal
ICED. The Speaker contends that the great
Mississippi valley with its teeming re-
publican population should receive recog-
milton and that New England's repre-
sentaton, otherwise overweening, should
be modified.
Mr.. Fordney Of Michigan is a high pro-
tectionist. He admitted In debate In the
House that his protectionism was OF the
kind that would exclude articles. OF import
which cen be mE4u@e ectured hr Anglican
Ea,Ss,sss 1sSSs, snd sstal esp; ;s gnaa @ .end: Mu
Senator Bristow. one Of the most radical
progressives, but he Is q protectionist
above all things.
Mr.. Boutell of Illinois is subject OF
speculation. In the tariff hearings his
questions leaned toward revision down.
ward. He Is supposed. also. to represent
the revisionist sentiment of his section.
Mr.. Mccall Of Massachusetts, is not a
hide-bound high-rate man by any means.
Mr.. Dalzell and Mr.. Payne will fight for
the House rates. according to pledge.
High Protectionists Determined.
But, to rereat. the controlling spirit Of
The conference committee. backed by ma
jortties In each branch of Congress, is for
high protection on the leading schedules
relating to articles included among the
necessaries of life and will so be demon
strated as the conference progresses The
high protectionists of the Senate are alb
solutely de. .ermined upon maintaining the
rates as essential to industrial prosperity.
and have no thought of yielding to any
consideration. political or otherwise,
which opposes.
The tactical position of the high pro-
tectionists Is such that they can afford
to carry things with high hand. Sup
pose the President should be forced to the
alternative of vetoing the bill? Well.
what Of 1t; there Is the Dingley law on
tle statute books. which is good enough
for the protected interests. They can
take up with cheerfulness the gage OF
defiance thrown down by the House yes
terday and remain here until Decem-
Der. If necessary. for all the while their
industries are safeguarded by existing
law.
The high tariff men are therefore in the
position of being able to say: Take our
revision or leave it, We don't care
which,.
One Remote Contingency.
There is one contingency which could
upset the equanimity of the high protec-
tionists, intrenched as they are in their
stronghold of confidence and tactical Sc
curity. If President Taft should turn
insurgcnt and issue ringing appeal to
the House, it is conceded that he could
swing the delicate balance of power IN
that body and line up sufficient num-
ntr OF insurgents from the Mississippi val
ley and middle west to hold the House
IN deadlock against the Senate.
But II Is contended that such action would
threaten the disruption of the republican
party and shake the confidence of the
people in the whole protective system.
The cautious leaders in both branches
do not believe he lis prepared to grasp
sucn desperate recourse.
The best judgment at the Capitol is
that no break will be precipitated be-
tween Congress and the President. to be
avoided by numerically large number
OF concessions on the part OF the SEN
ate-without hurting materially, mind
you-and the new tariff law signed at an
early day, probably within this month. q
stiff protectionist measure
The men who forecast this outcome are
already looking forward to the effect on
the country and discounting II. That
there will be "A roar of protest at frs,
they admit. But they count on it's being
short-lived. Already there are evidences
Of returning Industrial activity. Every
days press reports tell of mills starting
up and increasing their force of hands
The steel and iron industry Is practically
tbree-fourths rehabilitated from the re-
cent depression in many sections of ths
country. Last Wednesdays crop repor,
was OF the most favorable character and
had immediate effect upon speculative
values.