The Washington herald., 1909-07-30
REPORT IS SIGNED
Continued from Page One.


Daniel were present representing the
minority in the Senate. and Representa-
tives Clark, Underwood. and Griggs were
there as the duly appointed conferees
from the minority Of the House OF kep-
resentatiyes
When Chairman Aldrich called the con-
ference 10 order. ne announced that there
had been a change in the situation since
the adjournment OF the Republican con-
ferees the previous afternoon, at which
time an agreement seemed certain, and
when the invitations were issued TO the
Democrats TO be present yesterday. nc
notified the Democrats that they would
be excused for the time being. and that
II it were deemed necessary they would
DO called into tho conference again late
In the afternoon or to-day.
Senator Bailey and his fellow-Derno-
cratic conferees picked up their hats and
filed out Of the conference room and SION
dispersed. Most Of them were smiling.
but one OF the House conferees was dis
posed 70 be indignant because OF the way
in which they had been dismissed. Sem
ator Bailey soOthed him.
The reason for the change Of programme
by Senator Aldrich, which had not been
made known to the Democratic conferees.
soon leaked out. and there was excitement
at both ends of the Capitol The word
went around that President Taft had
sent a letter to the Republican conferees
Obiectlug 10 come OF the rates agreed
on tentatively by the Republican con-
ferees Wednesday. and that he could not
approve them Something like cOnsterna-
ton seized upon the Republicans IN both
Houses. The explosion came about 10:3)
o'clock in the morning. and the air was
fun Of sensational rumors.
1t turned out that President Taft's let
ter, while exhibiting a very firm spirit
was not threatening, but was couched IN
his usual cOnciliatory language. He had
indicated TO the conferees that he desired
that the. rate on lumber be reduced 10
Sl.25; that the Dingley rate on gloves
which had been adopted by the Senate,
should be re-enacJed without a change;
that the duties on gloves should be ma
terially reduced, and that the scale OF
rates on leather ald the manufactured
products OF leather, which he has hereto
fore indicated as desirable In connection
with free hides, should be agreed 20
without any modification. The President
informed the conferees that II the
changes were made in accordance with
his suggestions, that he would be glad
20 approve the conference report. and
would use his influence 20 have Il adopted
In both the Senate and the House.
Deadlock Threatened.
There was no menace conveyed IN a
single work or sentence Of the letter. The
effect upon the conferees. however. was
profound. Many dire forebodings were
indulged In. and when the Republican
conferees dispersed for lunch at least two
OF them expressed the fear that an agree
ment was far removed. and even inti-
mated that Congress might be deadlocked
Tor an indefinite period. Meanwhile SEN
ator Smoot had gone to the White House
70 see the President. and a little later
Representatives Fordney and Calderhead.
Republican conferees rom TIE House,
waited upon Mr.. Taft 10 talk over the
lumber situation with him.
The most startling effects OF the Presi-
dents communication were noticeable on
the House side. Speaker Cannon's room
soon became a hive Of busy Congressional
bees. Former Representative Littauer ap-
pcaTed 20 be the most disconnected man
present. Representative Dwight. the Re
publican whip, was rushing about trying
TO get Into communication by telephone
With the Speaker. The House was to
meet at y o'clock. and fears were ex-
pressed that an explosion might occur
when IL became known that the Presi-
dent had prevented an agreement en- the
lines indicated when the conference ad-
Journed yesterday afternoon. Vice Presi-
dent sherman was appealed 20 for advice
he was somewhat disturbed. for IL is un-
derstood that he has been welding a
quiet but potent influence with Speaker
Cannon 10 try 10 save Mr.. Littauer and
his House increases on gloves.
Finally Speaker Cannon strobe into his
room and soon pacifed his faithful fol-
lowers. He gave orders that the House
should be adjourned promptly without
any action or reference 10 the tariff con-
ference. Pursuant 70 his orders, the
House was declared adjourned three min
utes after II met The Democrats had
scented the cause OF the trouble. and
when the motion 10 adjourn was made
it was greeted with a chorus OF noes. q"
But the Speaker whacked his gavel and
declared the motion adopted. Then he
retired 10 his private oSace.
Sympathizing friends miGistered 10 Mr.
Littauer. A few threats were uttered
Among other things a rumor went around
that Speaker Cannon might carry out a
threat which he Is said to have made
In private several times recently that
Congress would adjourn sine die and
leave the tarln bill suspended In the air.
Some Of the high tariff Insurgents
seemed rather pleased with this idea be-
cause In many respects TIE DlngIey law,
which would have continued in force un-
der such conditions, would have been
more agreeable 70 them than the pro-
posed new rates.
But a little reflection convinced them
that such denouemenr was impossible.
First, the effect on the Republican party
would be disastrous. and second there
was some doubt about the ability OF
the Speaker 10 make good the threat
which had been attributed to him. for
while Uncle Joe is admittedly a potent
influence in shaping the affairs Of the
House Of Representatives, he has never
been accused Of being the Senate. even
by his most ardent admirers.
In the intermission lasting for nearly
three hours after the adjournment Of the
morning conference, and before the Re
publican conferees resumed their delib-
erations. there was an opportunity for
calm reflection and wiser counsel
The Tide Turns.
When the conference resumed in the
afternoon the situation began to clear up
at once. It was not very long after the
Republicans had resumed their confer
ring until telephone message was sent
to the House summoning Representatives
Clark and Underwood to Senator Bailey's
room. A little later * became known
that he Democratic conferees had pos
session Of a copy Of the conference re-
port and were going over its details with
the aid Of experts. AS a sequel to this
action word escaped from the conference