The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-23
Work of the Conference Com
mittee on Tariff
May Be Concluded Before Ad.
jOurnment Tonight.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Even the Clerk Is Excluded
From the Deliberations.
Outlook for Free Oil and $1.25
Rate on Lumber.

Washington, July 2S.-The indica-
tions this afternoon are strong that
the tariff conference committee will
report in favor of the following rates:
Coal As cents per ton; iron ore 25
cents; hides per cent ad valorem;
lumber S1.25 a thousand, petroleum
free
There will be more opposition to
the hide reduction than to any other
of the adjustments.
The most striking sign of ap-
preaching decisive action on the tar
iff bill appeared this afternoon when
the conference committee, going into
session at 2:3O, excluded the clerk
and everybody else except the con-
ferees themselves.
b 1t was understood the committee
}. would now stick to its task with pos
slbly a brief recess for dinner this
evening, until all the big things
which have given most trouble-iron
hides, coal, lumber. wood pulp, print
paper and structural steel-were dis
posed OF.
There are good signs for the finish
on the conference work tonight.
Only Dark Cloud.
Washington, July 23.-''The ma
uonaI issues" of the tariff as the free
raw material items have been
as the only dark cloud in an other
wise clear tariff situation.
By process of elimination the con-
ference committee had cleared away
nearly all changes in phraseology
and all of the administrative features
except the drawback and one or two
internal revenue amendments and
nearly all of the disputed paragraphs
IN the dutiable and free list. when
they adjourned yesterday. The only
exceptions were coal lumber, iron
ore oil and hides and the manufac-
lures Of these raw materials, as we'll
as the cotton schedule, hosiery.
gloves, wood pulp and print paper and
structural steel punched for use.
Compromises on all of these meas
ures except hides, coal lumber, iron
orc and oil regarding which the
president has had much to say. had
been suggested and considered by
both sides with the prospect of agree
ment. The five articles mentioned
final consideration and it is said they
must be disposed of together In
support of the statement that none
of the national issues would be dis
posed of individually, it was said that
those COnfereeS who have been hold
ing out for a duty on hides would
make no concessions until they
learned what concessions the mem
bers interested in lumber or one of
the five items would be willing to
make. BY this method of reaching a
final agreement it is said President
Taft's programme for reductions all
along the line will be carried out
1t is said that 1t practically had
been determined to compromise the
differences between both sides on the
cotton schedule by allowing the sem
ate specific rates to stand and cut
ting some of the senate advalOrems
where they were higher than the
house rates The senate's increased
rate on razors Slightly reduced
by an agreement reached yesterday.
Many Lobbyists About.
A large number of lobbyists gathered
! bout the members of the conference
committee as they arrived at the senate
finance committees rooms today.
Each of the senate and house con-
ferees was interviewed by a committee
representing the house tariff IN
tsurgents." consisting of Representa-
tives Gaines. West Virginia; Mondell
wyoming, and Kennedy, Ohio The COM
1nittee took especial pains to inform
Mr. Aldrich of their desires and of the
Situation in the house. Asked whether
they would vote against conference
report which did not grant their re-
quests, Mr.. Gaines said
1--WE are particularly avoiding thai
question We are not making any
threats"
senator Bradley. who has prepared
a new tobacco tax amendment in
tended to exempt the farmers from
tobacco in hand. was present to eX-
plain his proposition. He declared he
lad made changes merely in the
phraseology of his original PROPOSE
ton and that the new wording had
been approved by Mr.. Wheeler, act
ing commissioner of internal revenue
H. E. Miles OF Racine. Wis, chair
man of the tariff board of the Ma
tionaI Manufacturers association, en-
deavored to gain the support of the
conferees for the senate provision
authorizing the president to employ
tariff experts.
Tariff Experts.
The senate amendment empowers the
president to employ such persons as
may be required Ito secure informa-
ton to assist the president in the dis
charge of the duties imposed upon him
by the maximum and minimum sectior
of the bill. and information which viii
be useful to congress ir tariff legis-
lStion.'
It is reported that the house con-
ferees are willing to accept the amend
ment if the words 'and information
which viii be useful to congress il
tariff legislation are omitted. This
omission would remove the objections
OF the house conferees that the amend
nient provides for the appointment OF
a commission and at the same tins
would permit the president to employ
such persons as he desired to assist
him in administering the tariff laws.