Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-09
Tariff Bill viii Be Passed
Is Soon as Possible.
President Confers With AIdrich,
Cannon and Maeveagh.
Mr. Taft Hes Z Busy Day and Turns
Out Bic Pile Of Work,

Washington. March S.-The problem
Of financing the gOvernment-provldlng
the necessary funds for the projects
under way, maintaining the plans OF
the Taft administration and making
the demands secure with a new tarift
schedule-engaged President Taft, Sen
ator Aldrich, Speaker Cannon and Sec
retary of the Treasurer MacVeagh for
two hours at the White House this at
ternoon.
The necessity for the enactment OF
a tariff bill at the earliest possible mo-
ment was discussed, the"e being little
reference to the details of the proposed
legislation. Whether a definite policy
was outlined at the conference could
nor be learned. That the manufacture
ery and other large interests are de-
manding early tariff legislation and
thatthe business conditions of the
country are necessarily unsettled until
the tariff schedules are finally fixed by
Congress, were the principal reasons
given for the desire to permit nothing
to interfere with prompt action by
Congress at the special session.
The possible delay which the House
insurgents may cause by q fight
against the rules and the further OBJ
staclcs that may be put in the way OF
the tariff bill were thoroughly gone in
to. The conferees agreed that every
Republican i'm the House and Senate IS
pledged by the party platform to let
nothing interfere with an immediate
revision.
President Taft told the tariff franz
ers last Saturday that his special mes
sage on tariff revision would contain
no reference to specific schedules. Mr..
Taft has. however, made consistent
fight for a genuine revision Of the tariff
and has let it be known in many ways
that he would be satisfied with notn-
ing less. In his inaugural address he
frankly called attention to the $780,
OOO, 900 deficit which confronted his ad-
minstration and he suggested the pos
sible necessity of an inheritance tax
to make up some of the future reve-
nues. 1t is certain that since the con-
ference today there is q more definite
understanding as to what may and
what may not be desired OF the pro-
posed new tariff as a revenue producer.
If the conclusion has been reached that
the tariff revision must be radical pro-
vision in the bill may be looked for
which will have for it's purpose raising
revenue by other means than tax
on imports.
Franklin MacVeagh of Chicago took
the prescribed oath of Office this after
noon and entered upon his duties as
secretary of the treasury in President
Tafts cabinet The oath was admin
istered IN the presence of retiring Sec
rotary Corteiyou and other officers of
the department to the number of so
or more. At the conclusion of the cere-
mony Mr.. Cortelyou was presented OH
behalf of the officers of tie department
with a large silver loving cup. Mr..
Cortelyou will remain in town until late
in the present month when he will go
to New York to become president of
the Consolidated Gas Co. of that city.
Charles +. Taylor. a Washington news
paper man, was today appointed secre-
tary to SECRETARY Meyer of the navy
department.
Hhis was another day of crowded Of
fices and throngs in the East room and
other available portions OF the White
House. President Taft. of necessity,
gave much of his time to callers who
wished merely to pay their respects.
He, however, turned out an immense
grist of mail conferred at some length
with Postmaster General Hitchcock.
particularly regarding the successor of
Collector Crum at Charleston. S. c.;
saw many senators and representatives
who wished to make their peace at
headquarters with reference to future
patronage; lunched at the temporary
residence here of his brother. c. p.
Taft, and tonight made one of a merry
box party at a local theater,
Vice President and Mrs. Sherman.
We're the guests tonight at compli
mentary dinner given by Senator War
ron Of Wyoming. at which about 100
other guests. including cabinet officers.
members Of Congress and their wives
ond prominent Washington society
people also We're present
While the information is unofficial,
il is understood to be almost definitely
settled that Former Secretary Straus
Of the department of commerce and
labor will be appointed ambassador to
Japan 1t is we'll known to those in
innate with Mr.. Straus that he leans
toward diplomatic career and the
position of ambassador to Japan would
appeal strongly to him. While he was
secretary OF commerce and labor he
had largely to ~lo with the Japanese
immigration question and his attitude
on that matter is known to have met
the approval of the Japanese. govern
mcnt.
Mr. Straus has reached no definite
conclusion! hut it is not unlikely that a
formal announcement of his appoint
Ment to some important diplomatic