Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-20
THE SENATE
Crane Is Hunting for Votes for
Taft.
COUNTING WESTERN NOSES.
Borah of Idaho Explains His
Position.
SAYS EAST MUST YIELD, TOO
Crisis in Tariff Controversy Due in
Next Thirty-Six Hours,
IT'S Said.
SAYS EAST MUST YIELD, Tc

Senator Crane of Massachusetts, some
time: called the great pacificator' OF
the Senate, from way he has of smooth
ing out the wrinkles in difficult legisla tive
situations, is busily engaged in sounding
the western senator's on their prospective
vote for conference report carrying into
effect the Presidents program for free or
lower dutisble raw materials, including
iron ore, oil, hides and coal.
He is admittedly doing the work in be-
half of the President who is anxious TO
as certain the actual strength in sena-
toIaI votes of his policy.
1t is we'll known. of course. that the
program for free hides and free coal is
being strongly resisted by western sena-
tors. The point to be determined is
whether the resistance will go to the ex-
tent of votes against adoption of the con-
ference report. and IL so whether they
would he cast in sufficient number to i'm
peril the adoption of the conferees agree
ment.
Borah Demands Cheaper Leather.
Senator Borah of Idaho. voicing the
sentiment of number of western >sena-
tors, is authority for the expressed opin-
ion that If hides and coal are placed on
the free list without corresponding de-
crease in the duties on leather goods and
other manufactures, the western republic
can senators will be rebuked by their
constituents.
President Taft tells senators that he
favors reduction of duties on manu-
featured leather. When that position is
announced antagonism of eastern SEN
ators Is Immediately aroused.
Senator Warren of Wyoming, while
standing out for retention of the present
duty on hides. will be willing, it Is I'M
n l, nf
cent. but not willing to cut in half the
present duty of Il per cent ad valorem.
As against his contention for a duty on
hides the downward revisionists contend
that as long as hides are dutiabfe the
packers trust will control the supply of
raw material for the leather industry.
Insist on Coal Duty.
Senators from the coal-producng states
are insisting upon an adequate duty on
coal and opposing reciprocity with Can
ada on coal. They thereby come in con-
fiict with the eastern senators who desire
cheaper coal for the manufacturing in
dustrieS of the east. The supporters of
a countervailng duty on oil are scat
tered and unorganized. They are found
among the Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas
and Oklahoma delegations.
Free iron ore is demanded by the in
dependent steel manufacturers of the At
Iantfc coast. In a letter TO the cOn1erees
Charles NJ. Schwab predicts that with
lower duties OH steel manufactures the
independent mills Will go bankrupt unless
free iron ore is granted. Michigan has
two men on the conference committee,
Senator Burrows and Representative
Forlney. and they have been holding out
for a duty on iron ore to protect the
great Michigan ore beds. The advocates
of free ore are confident that Senator
Burrows will be won over by the Presi-
dent and that free iron ore will be writ
ten in the bill.
Taft's Friends Encouraged
The friends Of lower rates were very
much encouraged today by reports that
President Taft. confident that he can get
support for his demands for reductions
on raw materials. will next turn his at
tention to the general schedules of the bill
and will demand concessions there from
the high rates thus far agreed upon.
The crisis in the tariff controversy will
he reached within thirty-s.N hours, 1t is
thought. Results are expected from the
conference between the President and
members of the committee at the dinner
tomorrow night. to which he has invited
the conferees. II is expected that he will
make definite demands for reduced rates
in the schedules and will demonstrate to
the coflferees the backing which he is re-
ceiving from the country at large.