The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-07-22
IN A FORMAL STATEMENT HE
SWEEPS ALL DOUBT AS TO
HIS ATTITUDE.
BELIEVE PEOPLE DEMAND It
Says His Promise and Promise of Re-
publican Party Must Be Kept
conferess viii Acquiesce, But
Put II Up to President.

Washington, July 17.-All doubt as
to where President Taft stands with
regard to the downward revision OF
the tariff was swept. away yesterday
when a statement was given out at
the White House setting forth In de-
tail what the president had to say
to % Republicans, members of con-
gress, who called to protest against
putting raw materials on the free list.
Taft's Official Statement.
The complete official statement as
given out at the White House, after
the conference, is as follows
THE president replied that he was
not committed to the principle of free
raw material, but that he was COM
mitted to the principle OF a down
ward revision of the tariff which he
had promised and that he was obliged
to look at the matter not from the
standpoint ow any particular district,
but from the standpoint of the whole
country and also from the standpoint
of responsibility for the entire Repub-
lican party.
He repeated the platform of the
Republican party and said that he
had always understood that it meant
a downward revision. He felt strong
ly the, can of the country for a down
ward revision and he hoped to be able
to respond to the call as he heard 1t,
as we'll in the interests of the party
as of the country"
conferees viii Acquiesce.
The presidents statement created
decided sensation among senators and
representatives who became acquaint-
ed with it's contents. The statement
was shown to Senator Aldrich. He
made no direct comment upon 1t, but
said that the conferees had decided
to let Mr.. Taft deal with schedules
upon which they could not agree, it
being up to the president to secure
the votes necessary to pass the meas
ure in the form in which 1t would be
reported out of conference as re-
suit of his mediation between the
house and senate conferees.
Representative MiIIer's Views.
Washington, July III believe
the president has taken wrong view
of the situation and has adopted the
view of eastern manufacturers in his
advocacy of free raw material, and
particularly free iron ore," said Con-
gresham Clarence d. Miller today,
following the conference he and other
members of the house had with Mr..
Taft, at which they protested against
the adoption of the free raw material
provision in the pending tariff bill.
Il told the president" continued
Mr.. Miller, that l and the people l
represent, are in favor Of downward
revision OF the tariff. l also told him
that we were willing to accept re-
duction of duty on iron ore. but would
oppose a provision to place iron ore
on the free list.
81 told the president further that l
was not talking for the Steel corpora
ton, which holds lease on some val
liable ore beds in Minnesota, but for
the men who were going out on the
range and prospecting and uncovering
new beds. They are the owners of
their holdings and would be the most
affected by free iron ore. The Steel
corporation is merely purchaser and
can abandon it's leases whenever it
pleases.
Believing, as I do, on this matter,
/ shall vote against the tariff bill If
it comes back to the house with the
free iron ore provision in it,"