The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-03-16
President Taft Transmits Com
municatiOn to Congress
Telling Why He Called the EX-
traOrdinary Session.
URGED TO GET BUSY.
The Lawmakers Are Told That
Business Is Waiting
And That There Is Threatened
Deficit of S1OO,OOO,OOO.

Washington, March 16.-President
Taft transmitted to congress today
the following message:
ITO the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives: 1 have convened the con-
gress in this extra session in order to
enable 1t to give immediate considera-
tion to the revision of the Dingley
tariff act Conditions affecting pro-
duction. manufacture and business
generally have so changed in the last
twelve years as to require re-
adjustment and revision of the import
than this, the present tariff, with the
other sources of government revenue
does not furnish income enough to pay
the authorized expenditures By July
1, next, the excess of expenses over
receipts for the current fiscal year
Will equal $1O0.O0O,O0O.
The successful party in the late
election is pledged to a revision of
the tariff The country and the busi-
ness community especially expect 1t.
The prospect of change in the rates
of import duties, always causes a sus-
pension or halt in business because of
the uncertainty as to the conditions to
he made and their effect. 1t is
therefore of the highest Importance
that the new bill should be agreed
upon and passed with as much speed
as possible consistent with its due and
thorough consideration For these
reasons. I have deemed the present to
be an extraordinary occasion WITHIN
the meaning of the constitution, jus
tihying and requiring the calling OF
an extra session.
In my inaugural address. stated in
a summary way the principles upon
which. in my judgment the revision OF
the tariff should proceed and indicated
at least one new source of revenue that
might be properly resorted to in order
to avoid a future deficit. 1t is not
necessary to repeat what then said.
Il venture to suggest that the vital
business interests of the country re-
quire that the attention of the congress
in this session be chiefly devoted to the
consideration of the new tariff bill and
that the less time given to other SUBJ
jects of legislation in this session, the
better for the country.
CSfgned) WILLIAM H. TAFT.
The White House, March 16, 1909.
In the Senate.
Washington March 16.-Forty-fou
Republican and II Democratic SEN
ators were in their seats when the
presidents message was laid before
that body today. 1t received careful
attention on the part of senators,
presidents suggestion that no legisla-
tion except in relation to the tariff be
considered at this session was read.
Senator Gallinger presented a
state of New Hampshire, declaring
that the inheritance tax should not be
made a subject for national legisla-
ton, but should be left to the states
as a source of revenue.
A motion by Senator Hale proVld-
ing for an adjournment today until
Friday was adopted, and at 1918 p.
m, the senate adjourned.
In the House.
washington, March 16.-The second
days session of the house found the
members in a much calmer mood The
question of the amendment of the rules
having been settled yesterday, the
tension was noticeably relaxed and a
feeling of general good fellowship was
apparent. The drawing of seats was
the first business to be transacted and
this proceeding, although rather mo-
notonous to spectators, commanded
the intense interest of the members.
Some of the old members were espe-
cialIy fortunate in procuring desirable
seats. NIessrs. DalzeIl of Pennsylvania
and Mann of Illinois, got their former
seats. Messrs. DeArmond of Missouri,
and Hitchcock of Nebraska, were
among those equally lucky in their To-
cations.
Mr. Clark of Missouri was created
when that the Democrats, who were
forced to occupy the socalled Cherokee
strip to the extreme right of the speak
er. be allowed to choose seat in the last
tier and not be compelled to mix up
with the Republicans.
n view of the alliance of the Repub-
Icans insurgents and the Democrats
on the question of modifying the rules
41e huuor of the suggestion became at
once apparent, but 1t nevertheless pre-
vailed
When the presidents message was
read the Republicans broke out into
loud and prolonged applause. The mes
sage was referred to the committee on
ways and means.