Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-24
TAFT WINS HIS FIGHT
Continued from First Page.)

as one man that per cent would be
equivalent to no protection at all and
both declared that II would never be &C
cepted by the cattle owners. On the
other hand, the President was represent
ed as having said that 10 per cent would
be as bad as Is in so far as it involved
principle. but some Of his friends ex-
press the opinion that he would concede
! per cent.
The first word from the conference
room was that hides were receiving most
attention from the individual Conferees
il not from them rs a body
Whether hides would be put on the free
list depended, 1t was said, upon how low
rates could be carried by leather goods
without injury to the boot and shoe,
leather, harness and tanning industries.
Free hides could be had. 1t was said. only
by leather interests agreeing that their
goods also should bear lower rates than
are provided by either the Senate or
House bills. 1t was the understanding
that II hides were made dutiable at TX
per cent ad vaIorem. which is just half
the existing rates, the decreases made by
the House In D.ngley rates on leather
goods would be accepted.
There was some apprehension at the
beginning Of todAy's session regarding
the duty on iron ore, but that question
was not so complicated as the others.
The cotton schedule and print paper also
were still giving the committee some con-
Germ.
Admission by Conferees.
When the conferees took a recess at
o'clock every member admitted that
hides would be put on the free list and
rates on leather goods lowered.
AS those who have contended for the
retention Of the duty on hides have de-
manded a greater reduction In the leather
schedule than 1t Is believed will be made,
the conferees refused to speak Of the re-
suits attained at the forenoon executive
Therefore. while there Is little doubt that
hides are to be put on the free list.
variety Of opinions are expressed con-
corning the duties to be fixed upon
leather.
The generally accepted program is as
follows: Hides free: sole leather. 8 per
cent ad valorem, the same as the House
rate and 10 per cent lower than the Sen
ate rate; leather for uppers. " per cent.
which Is one-half the rate Of the Senate
per cent. as against 10 per cent In the
House bill and 20 per cent In the Senate
bill. These rates, 1t is said. are to be APP
piled to articles which are made chiefly
Of the grades of hides which would be
admitted free.
The Prestdent's 1nsistence.
That President Taft insisted to all OF
his callers that hides must go ON the free
list was asserted with positiveness at the
Senate Office building today. Senator
Crane and Senator Borall. representing
opposite positions on the hide and leather
question, were at the White House this
morning and both brought back the same
Information.
Representative Weeks Of Massachusetts
and Representative Mccall Of the same
state, the latter g. member of the confer
ence committee. conferred together for
short time during the noon recess. and
both appeared pleased with the probable
outcome of the hide question.
The present indications are that the adj
vocates of the duty on hides will accept
the situation after struggle In the SEN
ate. A large portion of their natural sup
port will be drawn away from them by
the reduction Of the duties on leather and
leather goods, and they have been told
will be brought in Immediately, which
would not only make hides free, but
would strike at wool and lead and zinc
ores. The hide prOtectionists feel ex-
they admit that, with the President and
the House against them. and no advocate
on the conference committee, the chances
are very poor both in committee and In
congress.
May Adjourn Next Saturday.
Senator Aldrich, declined to discuss the
proceedings Of the conference committee
beyond saying that ell members hope to
get through today. and certainly would
not 60 beyond tomorrow. 1t was his un-
Outstanding that Monday would be con-
sumed In maleing up the reports, a. the
House will not be In session until Tues
day. and the conference report must be
made TO that body before It Is given to
the Senate. He estimated that Wednes-
day would be required to dispose of the
report in the House, and expressed the
hope that the extraordinary session Of
Congress would be able to adjourn by
Saturday night.
This information was conveyed to Sena-
tor Cummins by Senator Aldrich. who
added: 1T think We will be able to present
q report which you can support most en-
Enthusiastically"
II hope So" said Senator Cummins, but
the situation may be like that in which
the old lady who was giving advice to
e. - 4HAl