The Washington herald., 1909-03-29

President Taft and the leaders in Con
gress are somewhat concerned over the
situation confronting the Payne tariff
bill The measure has been riddled by
critics IN the House and denounced by
members OF the Senate
/ Conditions in the House, 50 far as the
tariff is concerned. are chaotic
Speaker Cannon has advised the Com
mittee on WAYS and Means thar the bill
should be put through as soon as possi-
bic under a rule.
/ The committee Is not disposed 70 favor
rule al present, fearing that such ex-
treme action might sir Up trouble that
would result In bitter fight on the part
or members who are sore over certain
schedules IN the bill
President TAFT and Speaker Cannon had
a conference on the subject OF the tariff
Yesterday. Il followed a brief talk made
by the Speaker TO the Republican mem
bers OF the Committee on WAYS and
Means.
Judging from expressions heard BY the
President and the Speaker. the country
is insistent that the tarin 5llI shall Be
passed without delay. Those who are
urging haste at the same time contend
that the measure shall be amended n
important particulars
Committeeman Meet.
/ The Republican members OF fhe Com
mittee on Ways and Means he'd long
meeting yesterday The Payne bin itself.
the situation in the House. the demand
for amendments. and the desirability o.
lhelding Republican caucus with a vis7r
10 determining what notifications should
be made 10 the measure were al gfven
consideration Chairman PAYNE and his
colleagues we're inclined 10 the belef that
IN the main the House bin should be
passed practically as reported.
Conclusions yesterday were limited 70
modifying section OF the bin relating 10
the maximum and minimum provisions OF
the measure II WAS discovered soon af.er
the bin was introduced that II Il ba5
passed Fl its original form the maximum
Fd-ties imposed would have been applied
on products from countries that gave
preferential advantages 70 goods from
their colonies OF dependencies. As the
bin was amended yesterday no retaliatory
measures are now authorized IN The
case OF countries that accord minimum
rates 10 their own colonies and depend
Iencies and deny them 20 the United
States. In other words. the bill as
amended. recognizes colonies and depend
encies as an integral port OF the mother
country
/ Other amendments agreed 70 BY the
Republican members Of the committee
yesterday were with view 70 correcting
typographical and clerical errors.
Tea Duty Protested.
The provision of the bin placing hides
on the free list. the drawback section.
and the demand for free lumber were
discussed az length. The committeeman
also gave consideration 10 the protests
against the 10-cent duty On tea, and the
demand thar. instead OF duty on tea.
1 Congress should increase the tax on beer
from 81 TO 50 a barrel.
Earnest consideration was also given by
he committee 10 the proposition that
= .pecihc duty should be imposed on coree.
n this connection the Republicans find
themselves IN a rather difficult position
In tire hrst place, the Democrats have
used the proposed duty on tea as a text
for their CRY against taxing the work
ingman's breakfast table Coffee is an
available taxable commodity upon which
the committee looks with longing eye.
The Republicans are restrained from tax
ing Il only BY a fear that such action
would excite adverse comment al over
the country.
K is the expectation, however. that
when the tariff bin finally becomes a law
coffee VIII carry a specific tax. tea VIII
be admitted free, and the internal revenue
taxation on beer probably doubled.
Tax on Beer Urged
. Now as 10 the tax on beer. Prohihi-
ton sentiment throughout the country is
wildly excited over the provision in the
Payne bill taxing tea and leaving undis-
turbed the internal revenue taxation on
T beer. A combination has been formed in
the House with q view 20 taking the duty
; on tea and doubling the tax on beer.
. The leaders realize that Il viii be a
! difficult combination 10 beat Il is made
Up in part OF members from the South.
Republicans from the Northwest, and GER
tain Representative from New England
The combination is strong. numerically.
No conclusion has been reached as 10
: whether a caucus Of the Republican
: members 10 consider the tarin bill shall
be held II all depends upon the de-
/ velopments Of this week The leaders
believe thst By Thursday az least ths
House VIII have become wearied CT gen
erai debate on the Payne bill Then.
IL is believed IL viii be possible 10 maks
some arrangements looking 70 the trans
fer OF the measure 20 the Senate.
= Beginning to-day the House viii meet
/ al 10 O'Clock. and Until further notice
, eleven hours debate viii be allowed on
the tariff each day. More than ffty
D members who have not already been
e heard have signihed a purpose 10 speak.
The list o. applications TO discuss ths
tariff. Il is believed, viii be exhausted
BY Thursday night. II wiz shen become
known whether Il VIII be polite 20 Offer
2 rule setting a fixed date for the
passage OF the bill
In TIE meantime the leaders hope. oy
: sounding members. 10 determine whether
cOntinued on Page p Column 8.