Evening star., 1909-07-18
LEGISLATORS CONVINCED
IN SPITE OF THEMSELVES
White House Arguments Prevail as
to Philippines Provisions.
PANAMA CANAL BOND ISSUE
Limit Of Authorization of Spooner
Act Is Repealed-Wall Street
Fearful Of Efect-woolen
Schedule Considered,

Week end tariff consideration wound
up at the White House last night with
the conference of President Taft with
Senator Aldrich, Representative Payne
and Senator Bradley of Kentucky.
The visitors remained with the Presi-
dent several hours. discussing many
schedules now being fought over
The President has received so much
encouragement, inside and outside of
Washington. for his attitude on tariff
revision that he Is intent on pursuing
the advantage thus obtained and press
| upon Senate and House leaders for
definite showings as to certain sched-
ules which he believes should go in the
downward revision column.
IN submitting his views. to Senator
Aldrich and Representative Payne the
President reaches the elements in Con-
gress most stubborn along high pro-
tective lines. In fact, he reaches all the
conferees.
Friendly, But Positive.
In his pleasant, good-natured way,
the President Is understood, however,
to have been hrmer last night In his
views than at any other time.
The strong backing he has been given
by the country at large for his tariff
attitude has naturally stiffened opin-
ions that he has been somewhat de-
liberate in framing into positive shape.
At no time has the President made
threats to either big or little states
men. But in the last few days he mas
said things straighter from the
shoulder than at any other time during
the tariff fight
In a conversation yesterday he came
nearer intimating a possible veto than
in any other talk he has had. To one
of his visitors. who referred to the fact
that the country now regarded him as
practically one of the conferees on the
tariff bill, the President said that IL a
suitable tariff bill was not enacted into
law the country would hear from him.
Even then he did not use the word
veto. But his use of the words hear
from him" conveyed his meaning with
force.
Public Strengthens Hand.
The President Is now fully convinced
that he represents the sentiment Of the
masses of the people. Feeling that way
he will not care a. snap whether he vetoes
the bill.
| His deepest regret at such a course
would be tnat he would be pestered with
| the tarin question through another year
of his administration. and at time when
| he hopes to get through Congress i'm
portant legislation Strengthening existing
laws regulating interstate commerce and
the corporations.
With the tariff before the next regular
| session of Congress there would be moth
ing else but appropriation bills The ques-
| ton then would not be settled until a
| few months before the congressional elec-
/ tlons.
The President is good enough poll.
tician to understand this That is one
| reason why he Is putting on ste;Nn now
| TO accomplish what h. hopes TO have
| done.
| The belief is pretty strong that Presi.
dent Taft has the promise of sufficient re-
publican backing in the House, with the
support of the democrats. to send an un-
satisfactory bill back to conference, which
will be sufficient notice to the country
that the executive is opposed to the
| measure. II the conferees then again ap-
prove the tariff revision they have put
| before Congress, and the bill is finally
! duOpted, the FreSluSnI Will sign IL, with
announcement of his position, or veto it.
The chances favor the former course
thereby letting the country know how the
President feels.
Bradley's Presence accounted For
Senator Bradley's presence at the con,
ference last night was due In part to the
| fact that the President has approved the
Bradley amendment to the tariI bill tax.
| ing the tax OF leaf tobacco under certain
| conditions. SO as to broaden the market
of the tobacco grower. The commissions,
| of internal revenue has been consulted te
ascertain how much the government will
| lose in revenue from this source
/! Senator Bradley believes it will be les.
/ than S225,o00 each year.
!, Senator Aldrich md Representatiy,
PAYNE have taken up with the Presiden,
| ton of where the proposed tariff cour,
will have headquarters, whether at Wash.
| ington or New Yorh
| The Rhode Islanu senator and Mr.
/ Payne together with Attorney Genera
| Wickersham and Senator Root. had y
| conference at the Treasury Department
| Yesterday afternoon as 10 the proper 10.
| cation for the court. Mr.. PAYNE anr
| Senator Root favor New York city, point
| ing out that the port of New York col.
| lects the bulk of the customs revenue
| and requires the presence of the court.
/ The conferees have accepted tine pro-
1 vision for a tariff court. Effort is being
made to have the location of the cour
Continued on Second Page.)