New-York tribune., 1909-07-23
MAY BE A COMPROMISE
PROSPECTS OF TARIFF
AGREEMENT IMPROVE.
Free Hides, Ore and Oil, zCith Cuts
on Coal, Lumber, Cotton and
Leather, Expected.
B. rte rrlLnne Rnrsar.1

IFrom TIE Tribune Bureau.1
Washington, July 22.-This has been a day OF
many small conferences and little apparent
progress on the tariff bill The prospects OF a
conference report which the President can ap-
prove are brighter if possible. than they have
been for the last few days The conference COM
mittee held a morning session. but none in the
afternoon. Senator AIdrich. however, was busy
sending for Senators VINO are most strongly
opposed to the President. notably Messrs. War
rem, Scott and EIkins and holding private con-
ferences with them. endeavOring TO bring them
into line
The opinion is generally held this evening that
the President viii ultimately agree to a COM
promise by which he will get free hides. free
iron ore and free petroleum, duty Of 81 p on
lumber and Of - cents on coal, some reductions
in the cotton schedule and possibly on some
grades Of finished lumber. together with material
reductions in the leather schedule This impress
sion is gaining ground not as a result Of any
intimation on the part - the President that he
will recede from any of his demands. but be-
cause he does not state his position. in talking
10 the conferrees. in terms which leave them
without hope that he may yield
Mr. Taft has set his teeth" in the words OF
one who is close To him. on the hides question:
and there seems 70 be little likelihood that ne
will yield anything that point. despite the
fact that the most strenuous efforts are beng
made 10 induce him to consent 20 split the diff
ference between the House and the Senate and
approve a duty of IL per cent His determileN
position on this question is probably due IN part
at least To the lack OF diplomacy on the part
Of one of the most earnest advocates OF d ou1S
on hides
Senator Crane is urging a compromise on 'ns
coal and lumber schedules, as Is MI AluIA04l'
and they are not without hope
PRESIDENT on FREE RAW MATERIALS
The President took occasion to-day to en-
phasze to some Of his callers that he is not COM
mitted 10 the policy of free raw materials It
was purely a coincidence that he happened 70
select certain raw materials commodities
which no longer need protection. and bis action
was not due To any fixed policy Of placing all
raw materials on the free list This explana-
ton was doubtless due to the assertions Of GER
tain Senators that free hides would inevitably
lead 10 a demand for free wool.
Senator Burrows is holding out for a duty on
iron ore but it is not believed that he viii win
ultimately. as practically all his colleagues on
the conference committee are opposed to him
Representative Payne making a determined
tight To obtain reductions in the cotton schedule.
and his efforts, which have the cordial approval
Of the President. seem likely 70 be crowned with
success
Senator Cummins. who took breakfast with
the President, made a statement of his position
later in the day He said he believed it would
be wiser 20 consent to a duty of 81 - on lumber
and obtain some reductions on finished OF par
TALLY finished lumber; that there were reduc-
tions in tile cotton schedule which he thought
highly Important. and that in his opinion a re-
duction Of the Senate increases on structural
steel would be more beneficial 10 the consumer
than free iron ore. While expressing sympathy
with the Presidents demands. Mr. Cummins de-
cIared that il would be a great pity if the effect
of the tariff bill should he only 70 add 10 the
profits of the manufacturers by making their
materials cheaper. with no important reduc-
tion on manufactured products
In the course Of the day Speaker Cannon
Representative Dwight and Senator AIIrich had
a long conference. and late this evening Mr.
AIdrich and Mr. Payne called on the President
The President takes the view that it will re-
quire some time TO reach an agreement. and the
conferrees acknowledge that their hopes of
bringing in the conference report this week are
waning
Besides adjusting various matters of minor
Importance :he conference committee agreed to-
day that the headquarters Of the new customs
court of appeals shall be in Washington. instead
of New York This question was discussed at
length at the White House dinner last night
the Secretary Of the Treasury being among
those who favored Washington. Provision is
made in the amendment creating the court for
the holding of annual sessions in the several
judicial circuits and II goes without saying that
at the important ports of entry. like New York
Boston and Philadelphia. frequent sessions will
be held
NO CORPORATION TAX TIME LIMIT.
The corporation tax amendment was finally
approved to-day In accordance with President
Tafts wishes. which he made known in a posi-
tive way. the effort was abandoned 70 have the
tax go amended as 10 provide for repeal by limb
tation in two years.
Mr. AIdrich spent the afternoon in his rooms
i'm the Senate office building His callers in
cIuded Speaker Cannon. Senators Crane and
Kean. Representative Dwight. the Republican
whip of the House. and various Senator'S who
are opposed 10 the Presidents programme for
reductions on certain raw materials. ore OF
Mr. AIdrich-s callers. Senator Warren. Gid not
seem to be greatly concerned over the feeling
I'm the air" that Mr.. Taft has practically won
his fight for free hides. The Wyoming Senator
insisted that hides would remain on the dutlaoie
list Don't make any bet not to shave or nave
vour hair cut until hides on the Tree isI
he said. IF YOU do you may look like Rip van
Wrinkle a few years hence.