Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-02
Adoption of Conference Report
Confidently Predicted.
HOW THE SENATE STANDS
Opposition Is Violent, But Lacking
in Conference.
ENOUGH VOTES ARE IN SIGHT
Situation Likely to Remain I'm
changed and Debate Expected to
End Wednesday or Thursday.

The adoption of the tariff conference re-
port by the Senate is confidently claimed
by the republican leaders and tacitly con-
ceded in private conversation by the op-
ponents of the report who seek it's defeat.
The number of votes in the affirmative is
uncertain. within two or three, but suff1-
cient for the purpose. 1t is hoped that
debate will end by Wednesday night or
dent for his signature.
While the opposition to the tariff report
is violent it lacks conference and combina-
ton, and therein lies the weakness for
practical effect. The situation in this re-
spect was pointed out to q Star reporter
today by two senator's, both of whom are
opposed to the report in its present shape
but have no hope of defeating 1t. One of
them said:
Source of Opposition.
'The opposition to the report comes
from two groups of republicans who base
their objections upon diametrically oppo-
site grounds. There are, first. the progress
sives, who object because the rates in the
bill in a great many items are excessively
high.
Second are the so-called range sena-
tors who have all along stood for
high rates. and now are in opposition
because hides do not share the duties
given other products.
Suppose that by combination of these
two elements the bill should be defeat
ed, who, then. would make the tariff
These two factions could never agree
upon anything and neither would be
willing to turn to and help the repub-
lican majority frame a new bill.
And, in the meantime, where would
be the republican party? In the con-
fessed attitude of being unable to re-
wise the tariff, a proposition unthink-
able to republicans. In my opinion
these considerations will bring a suf-
ficient number of republicans who are
now very much disposed to reject the
report to vote for it and insure it's
adoption"
Situation May Change.
This senator went on to say that this
outlook might be changed If it should
develop in debate that the report Con-
tains more Objectionable features than
the progressives can now identify.
Nothing, however, short of a violent re-
vulsion of feeling on the part of a con-
siderable number of senators would. in
his opinion, defeat the report
That proviso was made because of
the knowledge of this senator and 9TH
ers today of the existence among many
senators of a strong sense Of outrage
if the charges shall be proven that the
supposed shoe reductions contain a
Joker which nullify the object of the
President to give the cattle ra1sers con-
sideration for their sacrifice by reduc-
ing the duty on boots and shoes to 10
per cent.
The change made by the progressive
senator's is that the new paragraph will
be construed so as to limit the I'D per
cent duty to those boots and shoes made
from hides, and that no boots and shoes
are thus made, and therefore the bulk
of the imports will be subject to higher
duties.
Aldrich Must Explain.
That charge is denied by the conferees
who framed the compromise, but it will
have to be explained by Senator Aldrich
to the satisfaction of not only the pro-
gressives. but also of some of the reg
| ular republicans. who will not be a
party to any alleged case of sharp prac-
tice that might be well sustained.
1t was stated today on good authority
| that two OF the most regular of the
regulars notified Senator Aldrich that
he would have to make very clear ex-
pianation to convince them that the In
tent and purpose of the President is be-
ing carried out unequivOcaliy in the
wording of the compromise before they
(. will consent to vote for the report.
There is no fear OF sustained demo-
cratic filibuster. The judgment of all the
democrats with the possible exception
of Senator Daniel. is that it would be
worse than futile to make a furry of
| filibustering. Some of the democratic
| leaders are willing to enter into fill
| buster for blood If the party will back
them, keeping Congress here until De-
cember but they are not willing to hold
up the bill for a few weeks or month
and then surrender ANONYMOUSLY without
having accomplished anything except to
disturb business and anger the country.
Beveridge Is Indignant.
| Senator Beveridge is highly indignant
| because the conferees struck out the
clause which the Senate put in the bill
at his request prohibiting the giving OF
coupons with tobacco. This prohibition
was demanded by the independent to-
bacco dealers as a blow at the tobacco
trust Senator Beveridge will vote
against the adoption of the conference
report.
II was claimed today by the republican
leaders that they have forty-eight abso-
lutely sure votes for the report, with
| more that they regard as sure. But
these forty -eight would pass the bill, and
the others are regarded as velvet
! The insurgents have been counting on
Burkett and Brown of Nebraska. but II
is pointed out that their legislature last
| week sent them instructions to stand by
| the President. and as long as this bill
| is good enough for the President it will
be good enough for them.
So far as known. the only "last-ditch
| insurgents who are being counted upon
to vote against the report are Cummins
/ Clapp. D0lliver BOrah, Bristow Nelson
and Beveridge.
! Carter Warren. Clark. Crawford and
McCumber. while each having grievances
are counted upon as being willing tc
| content themselves with recording their
opposition in speeches and voting with
| the President for the bill
| Sioux Cs<v Edifor Dies SNddAnlv