The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-18
TAFT AND HOUSE
MAYBE ARRAYED
AGAINST SENATE
Presidents UItimatum Regard
ing Tariff Has Caused Com
motion at the Capital
Expectation That Influences
Will Be Brought TO Bear to
Effect Downward Revision
[Sp,oial Dispatch 10 The Call

WASHINGTON. d. c., July 17.-Presi-
dent Tafts statement on the tariff was
the universal topic Of discussion at the
capitol today. Senators and represen-
tatives generally view the statement as
polite but determined notice that the
tariff bin would have to be changed
materially from its complexion as il
emerged from the senate or the presi-
dent would veto il.
Very few legislators can be found
who viii admit that q veto is anywhere
IN sight, that is, they believe compro-
misses viii be reached which will en-
able TAFT TO sign tie bill and at the
same time keep his pledge OF revision
downward"
OEMOCRTS ARE GLEEFUL
The democrats. OF course. are de-
lighted with the possibility of a scrap
nStween Taft and his party in con-
gress, but old republicans remind their
adverssries OF the fact. that republicans
have a habit Of gemfnR together in
pinch The senate conferees went
ahead today as il Tart had not issued
any statement They are apparently as
determined as ever TO revice upward
and get everything in sight for the
manufacturers at the expense of con-
sumers- They are aided by at least two
OF the house conferees.
on the other hand e marked tendency
Is noticeable among members Of the
house TO swing in behind Taft. The
standpatters who visited Taft yester-
day gave signs today Of weakening
after they took note that Tafts mani
festo was immensely popular with the
public.
THREE CORNERED FIGHT
1t wouldn't be surprising TO see the
tariff controversy crystalize into a
struggle between Taft and the house
on one side and the senate on the
other. II the conferees do not agree to
what Taft wants. thereby bringing in
duence 70 bear on both houses TO set
tie the matter by compromise the
fight viii be transferred to the two
houses, and one will be with Taft and
the other against him.
COULD BEAT THE SENATE
The house and Taft could beat the
senate. but il might mean a long and
desperate struggle In order to avoid
such struggle. which would prolong
the session and keep business. unsettled,
every effort is 10 be made to secure
votes in support OF the Taft program.
II Taft can induce the western senators
10 surrender on the free hides PROPOSE
ton il is probable that the rest Of the
opposition would crumble away and
radically amended tariff bill would be
perfected.
The first real teSt G President Tafts
strength as a politician and president
is at hand His methods are. wholly
different from those Of Roosevelt. and
public men here are not prepared to
commit themselves as TO the outcome.
They are keenIy studying the big man
in the White House. and he. in turn, is
quietly testing them. Those who know
Taft best believe that he viii prove a
match for his antagonists.
PRESIDENT CONGRATULATED
President Taft today received a large
number Of kilograms and letters of con-
graduation regarding the statement of
his position on the tariff given out yes
ierdsy. the president also has verbal
congratulations from members of con-
gress.
Increasingly the White House state
raent is regarded IS in some sort-an in
formal message 10 congress at a critical
juncture. such as Roosevelt often chose
for many OF his directly addressed mes
ssges.
1t is conceded even by the most bitter
Of the opposition that by his attitude
mus far Of hands off, Taft has out
lined a position OF enviable independ-
ence, and that he has chosen an ad-
vsntsgeous moment when each house
of congress has fully discussed the
question and placed itself Enthusiastically
on record and their joint product is in
the hands Of a conference committee. to
present his views not only generally to
Inc people, but specifically to those who
are in position to act decisively on
the subject matter.
Ia TOILETTE Is PLEASED
MADISON. Wis. July I7.-Senator La
Toilette is greatly pleased by the news
from Washington that President Taft
has taken a positive stand in favor of
free oil. coal, iron ore and hides, and
% revision downward so far as other
tariff schedules are concerned.
1t is gratifying news. indeed" said
the senator, and the president is to
be warmly commended for his stand
] had a talk with him before / left
Washington on the subject of the tar
IN legislation, and gathered the idea
then that he would be in favor of free
raw material. The stand he has taken
can not help but accomplish some good.
The president by reason of his
ONCE, is not in position TO learn the
strength Of public sentiment on this
question unless people express them
selves directly to him.
No man who is interested in tariff
legislation should hesitate to do so.
IN particular. businessmen whose
Interests are affected by high duties
imposed by the AIdrich bin should
telegraph the president.
IT is difficult to forecast Just in
what direction the tariff revision viii
take II the president insists upon
free raw material and reduction in
selected items OF the important sched-
ules the matter may perhaps be ad-
justed without any great deal of
trouble.
aEQUINOCAL.- SAYS BRYAN
After reading. the White House
statement as TO President Tafts DO.
sition on the tariff William J. Bryan,
who passed through here today en-
route 10 Emporia, Kan, said he con-
sidered the presidents statement rath-
er eQuivocal.
Mr.. Bryan said:
1T all depends upon the construc-
ton 10 be placed upon the presidents
words The house did not make a
downward revision OF the tariff. The
acceptance OF anything like the house
bill can not result in a reduction Of
the tariff
son OF FORMER FRENCH